The Path-Goal model

The Path-Goal model

The Path-Goal model is a leadership theory that focuses on based on identifying the specific behavioural factors in a leader as well as the environmental factors that leaders interact with and consequently choose the right style of leadership based on the behaviour of a leader.  It is thought that this theory of leadership involves administration selecting expressions that resonate well with the expectations of the employees with the hope that this would work in favour of leaders towards achieving the set organizational goals (Northouse, 2013). Traditionally the path-goal model os associated with four styles, namely: directive, participative, achievement-oriented, and supportive leadership styles as discussed below.

Directive: Under this style of leadership, leaders give their followers directions that they are expected to follow while executing their duties.  In other words, the leaders set the rules and regulations that the followers are expected to adhere to. It is comparable to the authoritative leadership style where the leader uses authority vested in his/her position to coerce the subjects into action.

Supportive: Supportive leadership involves the leader taking an active part in assisting their followers to achieve their duties. Leaders that utilize supportive style have a positive attitude to their followers and are concerned about the success of their employees as well as their psychosocial needs.

Participative: Participative style of leadership involves having a consultative decision-making process where the leaders engage their followers in all critical issues affecting the performance of an organization. It consists of allowing employees and subordinates room to express their views in the decision-making process of the corporation as well.

Achievement-oriented: This leadership style is result-oriented and involves focusing on the performance with the view of realizing the predetermined goals. It focuses on supporting employees to advance their levels of competences to enable them to achieve the set goals. It is commonly used by corporations to help them leverage defects and realize positive achievements by empowering their subordinates.

Effective and wise leaders should be able to exhibit more than one style of leadership since the real-world situation where the leadership styles are dynamic therefore one style may not fit all the circumstances that the leaders may encounter (Northouse, 2013).

References

Northouse, P. (2013). Leadership Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc.