Final answer:
Leaders must understand contingency management to apply the most effective leadership style based on situational factors, leading to increased productivity and improved morale. Flexibility, adaptability, and proper citation of evidence in APA format are crucial aspects of effective leadership and academic writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is essential for leaders to understand and utilize contingency management when dealing with subordinates because it enables them to apply the most effective leadership style based on situational factors. Contingency management underscores the importance of flexibility and adaptability in leadership, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing people.
Leaders should have the ability to analyze various elements such as the task at hand, the level of maturity of their subordinates, and the organizational environment. This understanding informs their strategy in terms of how much control or autonomy to grant and what communication methods will be most effective. Using contingency management can lead to increased productivity, improved morale, and a more dynamic and responsive organizational culture.
Moreover, citing sources in APA format gives credibility to the arguments presented and is a critical part of academic writing. For instance, presenting statistics as evidence, with proper citations, can substantiate the leaders' strategies and decisions, enabling them to make informed and justifiable choices when managing their teams.