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Entrepreneurship/Leadership/Innovation- MGT 2251Y
UNIT 6: LEADERSHIP THEORIES, LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Unit Structure
6.0 Overview
6.1 Learning objectives
6.2 Introduction
6.3 Definitions
6.4 Leadership Theories – Business Leadership
6.4.1 Leadership Theories
6.4.2 Person-Based Theories
6.4.2.1 Trait Theory
6.4.2.2 Behavioural theories
6.4.2.3 Autocratic and Democratic Leadership
6.4.3 Situational Theories
6.4.3.1 Fiedler’s Contingency Model
6.4.3.2 Path-Goal Theory
6.4.4 Dispersed Theories
6.4.4.1 Self-leadership
6.4.5 Exchange Theories
6.4.5.1 Transactional and Transformational Leadership
6.4.5.2 Characteristics of Transactional and Transformational
Leaders
6.5 Leadership and Management
6.5.1 Sources of power in management/leadership position
6.5.2 Typical Characteristics of Effective Management and
Leadership
6.5.3 Leadership v/s Management
6.6 Training in leadership
6.6.1 Transformational leadership training: an example
6.6.2 Leaders developing leaders
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6.6.3 Behaviour Modelling
6.7 Summary
6.8 References
6.0 OVERVIEW
The definitions of leadership highlight a number of related issues including vision, a team
approach, action orientation and a sensitivity to both people and the business
environment. Leaders are seen as agents of change. They are people who both teach
(coach) and learn. Entrepreneurial leadership is seen more as a transformational
leadership style although it is expected that entrepreneurs both lead and manage their
organisations.
6.1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of this Unit, you should be able to do the following:
1. Define leadership.
2. Analyse leadership theories and their applications.
3. Distinguish between leadership and management characteristics.
4. Explain the sources of power in leadership positions.
5. Achieve an understanding that leadership skills can be taught and therefore be
learnt.
6.2 INTRODUCTION
Introductory quote from Sir Richard Branson:
“Even though I’m often asked to define my business philosophy, I generally won’t do so
because I don’t believe it can be taught as a recipe. These aren’t ingredients and
techniques that will guarantee success. Parameters exist that, if followed, will ensure a
business can continue, but you cannot clearly define business or business success and
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then bottle it as a perfume. It’s not that simple: to be successful you have to be out there,
you have to hit the ground running, and if you have a good team around you and more
than your fair share of luck you might make something happen”
(Source: Burns, 2005).
Undisputedly, no “ingredient or techniques will guarantee success”. Branson even
mentions chance, which others call it serendipity in this context. However, beyond the
debate of whether leaders are born or made, a careful study of leadership theories brings
us to the conclusion that the truth of leadership may lie somewhere between the influence
of genetic constitution and as a consequence of training developing of leaders/managers
in leadership skills.
Together with vision, entrepreneurial leaders develop a management style that promotes
an entrepreneurial culture, which motivates individuals to perform and achieve. They
build an effective management team that is empowered to manage change in a turbulent
business environment where risk, ambiguity and uncertainty are prevalent.
6.3 DEFINITIONS
According to Timmons (1999), entrepreneurial leaders are “capable of instilling tangible
visions and managing for the long haul……….. at once a leader and a teacher, a doer and a
visionary”. This description combines vision and action and further has a strategic long-term
perspective. It also emphasises that the leader is not born with all the qualities but will learn
by doing.
Scarborough & Zimmerer (2006), describe a business leader as someone who displays “a
willingness to remain open to the changes in both people and ‘things’, a deep commitment to
the long term well being of employees and to their needs, and a high level of sensitivity”.
This definition highlights the emotional intelligence aspect of business leadership (as
mentioned later in transformational leadership) and has a human relations approach. Apart
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from sensitivity to people, reference is made to sensitivity to changes in ‘things’, i.e., the
business environment.
Overconfident CEO’s often fail to see changes in the environment, thinking they have learnt
all that has to be known. “Their confidence blinds them to information that is contrary to a
decided course of action. For example, overconfident CEO’s tend to charge ahead with
mergers and acquisitions even though they are aware that most acquisitions destroy
shareholder value”. (Wheelen & Hunger, 2008).
The above definitions stress the need for long-term vision and visualise leaders both as
learners and coach. As for any other discipline, leadership can be learnt, based on
conceptualisations drawn from experience of others, for example, through leadership
theories and their application into skills.
6.4 LEADERSHIP THEORIES – BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
6.4.1 Leadership Theories
Over the years there has been much research to understand what makes an effective
leader. Can leadership skills be learned or are people just “born” with them? These and
other questions have led to the development of a variety of leadership theories. There is
probably not one theory that is the best and most accurate. Still, much can be learned
about being an effective leader from an understanding of the different theories.
6.4.2 Person-Based Theories
6.4.2.1 Trait Theory
Certain traits or personal characteristics may come to mind, such as self-confidence,
emotional resilience, honesty, and determination and communication skills, that is, a set
of characteristics that distinguishes leaders from non-leaders.
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