Classical models of managerial leadership: trait, behavioural, contingency and transformational theory

Description

What is leadership? Here Michele Erina Doyle and Mark K. Smith explore some of the classical models of leadership. In particular they look at earlier approaches to studying the area via the notions of traits and behaviours, and to what has become known as contingency theory. From there they turn to more recent, ‘transformational’ theories and some issues of practice.

"Although it is true that the progression of thinking tends to follow a sequential path, it is quite possible for elements of one generation to crop up much later in the writings of someone who would not normally think of himself or herself as being of that school. Consequently, it is fair to say that each generation has added something to the overall debate on leadership and that the debate continues. (van Maurik 2001: 3)"

Original URL

http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm

http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm