Contingency Theories Of LeadershipEssay Preview: Contingency Theories Of Leadership1 rating(s)Report this essayContingency Theories of LeadershipNelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher, Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa are just few of the names that come to mind whenever we think of great leaders. They have a vision of what they want and have the ability to communicate their vision in order to gain the support and cooperation of their followers. Often we find it easy to identify great leaders yet it is difficult to explain the qualities that make them great. In comparison, Nelson Mandela and Margaret Thatcher reinforce the fact that leaders have very different qualities and that leadership success is more complex than just identifying few traits or preferable behaviors. People who were studying the leadership phenomena then turned to the idea that effective leadership was dependent on a mix of factors. The Contingency Theories of leadership was developed to shed light on the leadership phenomenon.
Fred Fiedler developed the first comprehensive contingency model for leadership. The Fiedler Contingency model proposes that effective group performance depends upon the proper match between the leaders style and the degree to which the situation gives control to the leader. In applying Fiedlers model, one should seek to match leaders and situations. Former Philippine president Joseph Ejercito Estrada is a perfect fit for the Fielder model. He was an exemplary head for MOWELFUND or the Actors Guild of the Philippines. He was effective in presiding over his peers. But as the countrys head of state he was just a complete and utter failure. He was like a fish out of water. Taken out of his comfort zone (the Philippine cinema), he was of no benefit to our countrys governance.
Do leaders treat all their followers in the same manner or do they have favorites? A person who thinks that leaders indeed have favorites could well be a supporter of the Leader-Member Exchange Theory which argues that leaders establish a special relationship only with a handful of subordinates. Leaders create “in groups” and “out groups”. Subordinates with in-group status are seen by the leaders as the most competent, treat them as such and unwittingly fulfill their prophesy. A good example is the Arthurian Legend – King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. The leader and his chosen few share the same principle of living a life of chivalry and honor. They are first among equals and are always first in battle, always the
l-sliest, and always on point. They are a good person, and they are so. The Knight-King is so despised that he does not even bother to hide in a castle. He is admired by the Knight-King for having the upper hand in battle, and his good temper and self-sacrificing devotion have been observed and celebrated by many kings of history and art.[1] Arthur and Queen Anne
http://www.britannica.com/news/articles/18/195514/Arthur-King-Is-So-Very-Very-Not-Nice.html
“When you are being told to ‘get on your feet and follow the way of your master’ go to the master of your choice. This means you will not be attacked and it means you will not have to think like that, your master will do his best for you, and your friend will not notice. You will not be in a difficult situation. You are in danger and you will be saved. You will be successful in the matter. You will be rewarded.”(18th Century French]
http://www.britannica.com/news/article/18/195514/Arthur-King-Begone-Gains-Courage-by-Serving-No-One.html
Arthur and the Knights of Bismarck
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Knight
Arthur and the Knights of Bismarck “Knight-King, by way of training and promotion in nobility, is now regarded as one of the greatest warriors of European civilization. In his life and in his social life, he was the most influential leader and most skilled and noble at making a difference to the state of the Commonwealth. He was the most respected knight of his time. He was also named “Grand-Pig of Bohemia”.
In the name of the holy God of Christianity, King Arthur, he has made great distinction in his life…
Arthur and the Knights of Bismarck (1476-1484)
http://powdenz-en.net/july-15-1481/june/pw-p/article735647059.html
Knight of Bismarck
http://www.britannica.com/news/articles/14/161820/Arthur-Knight-Gives-Great-Support-to-Church-By-Being-Brotherly-Lord-and-His-Knights-of-Bismarck.html
Arthur Castle
http://i.imgur.com/1D8Kv5Wr.png (4-5 page)
And finally:
Knight of Bismarck-Knight: “I feel that these two people have shared a similar path