Final answer:
Mary Parker Follett emphasized the importance of human relations and interpersonal dynamics in the behavioral approach to management, contributing significantly to the field by elevating the role of worker participation and cooperation in the effectiveness of leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of Mary Parker Follett's major contributions to the behavioral approach to management was her stress on the importance of human relations and interpersonal dynamics within organizational settings.
Follett advocated for a more holistic approach to management, suggesting that effective leadership goes beyond mere economic output and must consider the innate human need for participation, creativity, and cooperation among workers. She proposed concepts such as 'power with' rather than 'power over', conflict resolution through integration, not domination, and the idea of workers participating in decision-making. Her vision was a contrast to the scientific management approach, which emphasized on time-motion studies and efficiency without adequately accounting for worker satisfaction and team dynamics.
Aligning with the later development of strengths-based management approaches by Donald Clifton, which focuses on maximizing an individual's innate talents, and opposing the Theory X management style defined by Douglas McGregor, which views workers as inherently lazy and needing strict control, Mary Parker Follett's notions were revolutionary for her time and have had a lasting impact on management theory and practice.