Final answer:
In Fiedler's Contingency Model of Leadership, task-oriented leaders are more effective in high- or low-control situations, while relationship-oriented leaders may excel in moderate-control situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Fiedler's Contingency Model of Leadership, the effectiveness of task-oriented and relationship-oriented leaders is contingent upon the favorability of the leadership situation. In high-control situations (where the leader has good leader-member relations, a clear task structure, and strong position power) or low-control situations (where all three of those conditions are poor), a leader with a task orientation tends to be more effective. This is because such leaders focus on completing tasks and achieving goals, which is critical when the situation is either highly structured and under control, or when there is a lack of structure and control requiring a strong directive approach.
On the other hand, in moderate-control situations—where the leadership situation is not as clear, and factors such as leader-member relations, task structure, and position power are mixed—a leader with a relationship orientation could be more effective. Leaders with a strong focus on interpersonal relationships may excel in these conditions by building trust, improving communication, and increasing team morale.