Behavioral Perspective of Leadership

Effective leadership is essential to organizational excellence; there is considerable effort to determine the “best styles” for contemporary leadership (Bellou, 2011). The style approach analyzes the gender perspective of a leader's behavior. Many studies have shown that women and men have a different view on the preferred leadership behavior (Bellou, 2011). Goal achievement influence perception and preference for ideal style approach to behaviors (Bellou, 2011). Gender-specific considerations may help the organization when assessing leadership style approach preference of women and men (Bellou, 2011).

Behavior is central to the style approach to leadership. (Northouse, 2007). To be sure, the style approach focuses on actions, while the trait theory of leadership highlights the characteristics or personality of the leader (Northouse, 2007). Likewise, the skills approach gives credence to leadership abilities (Northouse, 2007). The style approach emphasizes the leadership tactics and actions of leaders in organizational settings, specifically toward other employees (Northouse, 2007). Investigators in the field have suggested that the style approach has two aspects namely: task behaviors and relationship behaviors. Task behavior describes actions that promotes goal attainment (Northouse, 2007). They ensure that the organizational goals can be accomplished (Northouse, 2007). Relationship behaviors hinge on interpersonal actions that motivate subordinates employees to support comfort levels (Northouse, 2007). Synergistic application of the task and relationship behaviors contribute to organizational goal accomplishment (Northouse, 2007). The style approach is not a well-suited theory for disentangling the core behaviors of leadership effectiveness. The theory is inadequate to ascertain leadership behaviors (Northouse, 2007).

Strength and Limitations

The style approach contributed to the broader understanding of behavioral assessment of leadership and the cross-functional role of the task and the relationship behavior of goal achievement. In essence, the style approach enhances scholarly and practical understanding of leadership process. Harmonious application of both task and relationship behavior can improve leadership effectiveness (Northouse, 2007). The style approach provides a framework for leaders to assess behavioral effectiveness. The style approach is not well-suited to handle virtually every leadership problems. Consequently, the broadness of this leadership approach makes it challenging to evaluate organizational leadership lapses and situations.

References

Bellou, V. (2011). Do women followers prefer a different leadership style than men? The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 22(13), 2818-2833.

Northouse, P. G. (2007). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 4th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications