Question

Situational leadership theories propose that the effectiveness of a particular style of leader behavior depends on the situation. As situations change, different styles become appropriate. This exercise examines House’s Revised Path-Goal Theory, which says that leader behaviors are effective as long as employees view the behaviors as sources of satisfaction or as means of future satisfaction. This activity is important because it demonstrates how managers can support employees by reducing roadblocks, providing guidance, and linking rewards with goal achievement. The goal of this activity is to help you to understand and differentiate among the different leader behaviors in the Revised Path-Goal Theory. Read each description. Match the Revised Path-Goal Theory leader behaviors with the appropriate descriptions.

1. Supportive behaviors
2 .Group-oriented decision-making behaviors
3. Achievement-oriented behaviors
4. Work-facilitation behaviors
5. Value-based behaviors
6. Representation and networking behaviors
7. Path-goal–clarifying behaviors
8. Interaction-facilitation behaviors
Match each of the options above to the items below.
a. Provide guidance on how employees can meet expectations and reinforce using positive and negative consequences.
b. Set challenging goals, emphasize excellence, and demonstrate confidence in employees’ abilities.
c. Plan, schedule, organize, and coordinate the work; provide mentoring, coaching, counseling, and feedback to assist employees in developing their skills. Also provide resources and empower employees to take actions and make decisions.
d. Show concern for the well-being and needs of employees; be friendly and approachable; and treat employees as equals.
e. Resolve disputes, facilitate communication, encourage sharing of opinions and emphasize collaboration and teamwork, and encourage close relationships among employees.
f. Pose problems rather than solutions to the workgroup, encourage group members to participate in decision making, provide necessary information to the group for analysis, and involve knowledgeable employees in decision making.
g. Present the workgroup in a positive light to others, maintain positive relationships with influential others, and participate in organization-wide social functions and ceremonies.
h. Establish a vision, display passion for it, and support its accomplishment; demonstrate self-confidence, communicate high performance expectations and confidence in others’ abilities to meet their goals.

Answer 1

1) Supportive behaviors->option (d)

2) Group-oriented decision-making behaviors->option (f)

3) Achievement-oriented behaviors->option (b)

4) Work-facilitation behaviors->option (c)

5) Value-based behaviors->option (h)

6) Representation and networking behaviors->option (g)

7) Path-goal–clarifying behaviors->option (a)

8) Interaction-facilitation behaviors->option (e)

Explanation:

1) Supportive behaviors:- (d)

Supportive conduct illustrates the need to meet and be polite to workers as illustrated in Option D.

Option A talks about offering guidance, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about preparation and scheduling, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking, Option H talks about vision, self-confidence, high-perforation contact.

2) Group-oriented decision-making behaviors:- (f)

This leadership conduct poses a challenge to the group and allows them to engage in decision-making, to provide the required group analysis, etc.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.

3) Achievement-oriented behaviors:- (b)

This leadership conduct represents the setting of demanding goals for workers and shows confidence.

Option A talks about providing guidance, option B talks about setting challenges, option C talks about planning and scheduling, option D talks about well-being and being friendly with employees, option E talks about dispute resolution, option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, option g talks about employee relationships, interaction, and networking.

4) Work-facilitation behaviors:- (c)

This involves the process of planning, scheduling, etc. and providing feedback to assist employees as reflected in Option C.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.

5) Value-based behaviors:- (h)

This activity involves vision building, ambition, confidence, communication of goals, loyalty, and high performance to others, etc.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.

6) Representation and networking behaviors:- (g)

This conduct brings a positive light to others and maintains healthy relationships, which is expressed in option G.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.

7) Path-goal–clarifying behaviors:- (a)

This leadership offers encouragement for workers to fulfill their goals and emphasizes positive and negative impacts.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.

8) Interaction-facilitation behaviors:- (e)

This involves resolving disputes, facilitating interactions, etc.

Option A talks about offering direction, Option B talks about setting goals, Option C talks about planning and scheduling, Option D talks about well-being and being comfortable with employees, Option E talks about conflict resolution, Option F talks about problem-solving and participatory decision-making, Option g talks about employee relationships, engagement, and networking.