Final answer:
Fiedler's Leadership Effectiveness theory suggests effective leadership is conditional on matching the leader's style with the situation, and among the options given, option c is incorrect as it misrepresents Fiedler's stance on task-centered leadership, which is said to perform best in very favorable or very unfavorable conditions, not mixed conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the many complex theories that explore the dynamics between leaders and followers, Fiedler's leadership effectiveness theory plays a significant role in understanding how effective leadership can change based on contextual factors. One of the aspects of this theory is the assertion that effective leadership occurs when the leadership style matches the situation and that leaders tend to possess a preference towards either a task-centered or a person-centered approach. Additionally, Fiedler identified that the success of a leadership style is influenced by three specific characteristics of the work situation: leader-member relations, task structure, and leader position power.
Regarding the options provided in the question, option c posits that 'Task-centered leadership works best in mixed conditions,' which may create some confusion. Fiedler's model suggests that task-oriented leaders perform best in very favorable or very unfavorable conditions, rather than mixed situations. Hence, option c does not accurately reflect Fiedler's model, making it the exception to the provided true statements about his theory. The leadership style efficacy according to Fiedler is more about matching leadership style to the specific situational control, rather than working best in mixed conditions generally.
It is essential to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership, and the effectiveness of a particular style can depend on several variables including the nature of the task, the work environment, and individual characteristics of team members. Leaders themselves may also shift their style depending on the context, exhibiting traits of both transformational and transactional leadership. One must also consider the impact of followership and how individual follower's needs and personality traits such as the need for leadership or growth aspirations can influence the leader-follower dynamic. Thus, a deep understanding of both the leader's and the followers' perspectives is crucial for a harmonious and productive leader-follower relationship.