Path-Goal Theory of Leadership

The research has clarified the fact that any of the leadership style can not be effective solely if the situation is not kept in view before the particular style is decided and implemented.
New findings and theories have began to unveil a whole new leadership theory, came to be popularly known as “path-goal” theory. This leadership theory is explained on the basis of situation and other related factors.

The path-goal theory suggests that the leaders can only have a successful leadership if they support the subordinates towards a specific goal by assigning them a clear, creative path. They can do so by explaining them clearly and articulately about their vision, making them aware of the upcoming obstacles and at the same time, revealing them the way of how to stand up amidst of curbing crisis. A series of rewards, explanation of mistakes and encouragement will make the leadership effective-the ultimate purpose of this theory.
This theory explains the effectiveness of leadership in terms of impact of leader on subordinates. Robert House, the American psychologist, who suggested this theory, says that leaders are successful as long as they have immense leadership influence on the subordinates, who acts as a source of motivation to their followers. In other words, the true leader inspires the goals and dreams and allow them turn their idealism in to realism by showing them the required path.
This theory highlights the amalgamated version of all the leadership styles. The theory demands the leader to have a right balance between his authority and his friendliness with the subordinates. He neither have to be too authoritative that the subordinates hesitate in expressing their creative ideas and critical thoughts nor have to be too friendly that the divider between the leader and subordinates reduce to transparency, and subordinates start exercising their freedom in the negative way.
This modern theory of leadership permits a wide space for participative leadership as the subordinates are totally involve in decision-making process and their suggestions are sought and given their due credit. In the path-goal theory of leadership, the challenging goals are set for subordinates and, the leaders show them the way to attain it.Additionally, they are given free hand to implement their creative ideas for the best accomplishment of goals. Leaders show their confidence by entrusting them with the complete authority on the allocated task.
Since, the theory is totally situation oriented; the leader has to be extra careful in the analysis of the task and other factors before defining the path to the subordinates. For example, at the time when the task is not clear to the subordinates or the path appears as vague or distorted to them, guidance and suggestions by the leader would be willingly welcomed by the subordinates. However, when the things are well-defined and outlined to the subordinates and the followers are quite confident of their efforts, the redundant regulations would be taken by them as over controlling their skills and potential.
This variance in approach is dependent on the clarity of the situation, abilities of the subordinates and their motivation and, on the depth of task. The more complicated the task is and the less comprehensible the paths are, the increase supportive suggestions by the leader would be genuinely entertained.
This theory demands the leader to maintain a firm checks on his behavior and the body language as the actions speak louder than the words. He as to appear as a source of motivation, inspiration, trust and confidence. The actions should speak the depth of his commitment and the passion for the task and the affection for followers. The behavior should infuse the feeling of satisfaction in the working aura.
The key to have effective leader, based on the path-goal leadership theory, is to mark the paths to the goals. This can be well done by identifying the key tasks to the subordinates, explaining the nature of complicated hurdles and, describing the way to smooth away the obstacles in to terrific success.
The path-goal theory can promise the successful leadership as long as the situation, motivation and the inclination of the followers towards the task is kept in view. The more the related factors are considered and the appropriate the decisions are made, along with the full-fledged implementation of the opted strategy, the more the effective leadership would be and, the chances of the success would become certain.

Effective Leadership

The thorough research on this important phenomenon of effective leadership has resulted in the upsurge of many leadership theories, styles and skills, each guaranteeing the terrific accomplishment of tasks; however, the studies has also reveled that the pursuance of any particular leadership style or theory or having some leadership skills are not enough for this worthy and outstanding job and, a lot more has to be considered and done for the effective leadership.
Each individual is unique and therefore, each leader is unique in its own way. Consequently, each individual has to adopt a distinctive amalgamated form of styles and skills in order to rise as matchless leader in extensively diverse pool.

There are some qualities that form the basis of the effective leadership and so, should be possessed by all.
Flexibility
Flexibility is the universal trait of today’s leader. He has to be flexible in his attitude, behavior and approaches. He must be flexible in the leadership powers, too. The effective leadership stems from the adaptation of leadership style on the basis of the capabilities of the followers and the situation. When the little knowledge is possessed by the subordinates, he must be the sole decision-maker and should guide them at all the steps. He can have shared leadership when the followers have much knowledge about the task and could be relied.
These balances in the styles and attitude determine the leadership influence on the juniors and this very impact of leader judges the victory of the organization or team.
Fully Acknowledged
Being active and fully acknowledging the responsibilities and authorities is an essential trait for a successful leadership. Only when one knows the leadership strengths and the area where he can exercise his authority, the correct goals can be set and visions can be carved ideally and properly.
Creating A Favorable Environment
The leadership can only be fruitful and can have underlying impacts if the favorable working atmosphere is built up, which clearly lights up the goals and the future career of the individual. The resources and the machinery and other input factors should be available for the maximum use. This would create a comfortable and helpful working environment for the followers.
Consultancy With Subordinates
Consulting should be done with all the members while setting the goals.Furthermore; the win-win attitude should only dominate the thoughts of all. This would lead to the mutual consensus that would only promise the unending triumph.
Additionally, the suggestions and ideas of the budding minds should be given their due importance as today’s young generation want their voice to be shared no matter how much distorted the vision is. Moreover, the weekly discussions on the imperative topics, having an immense influence on the individual and organization as whole should be discussed. The crucial decisions, affecting the lives and the future of the followers, should be taken by taking them in to utmost assurance.
Discussion On Work Related Problems
The work related problems should be discusses weekly and the individuals should be encouraged to come up with the critically logical solutions to the challenging problems. They must be rewarded and spurred for their contributions and should be given annual or bi-annual awards and certificates of excellence.
All the same, the important aspect of successful leadership is that leader pay a genuine heed to the problems and grievances of the subordinates. Keenness in the general welfare of the followers and helping them coping the problems would establish an unexplainable closer link between the followers’ and the leaders.
Only when the juniors feel that they are heard and responded and, their life and presence are precious to the leader, they feel like being closer to their leader. This association would ultimately convince them to live up to the expectations of their leader by giving their best.
Time Management
The time management and adhering to the deadlines can pledge the effective leadership, too. The leaders must ensure that at every time the progress in the task should be made to avoid the swift working at the eleventh hour. This leadership skill is vital for the very of survival of leadership.
On the whole, the effective leadership creates the feeling of trust and confidence and accentuates the leadership strengths of all the individuals. It is the source of motivation and inspiration for the subordinates. The effective leadership creates the feeling of trust and confidence and accentuates the leadership strengths of all the individuals. The individual feels like being more productive with the every sunset, and more capable and strong with the every sun rise. The impact of the effective leadership is so deep that the radiant light engulfs the very nook of darkness of the life of the subordinates, and illuminates the way of success!

Are You A Successful Leader?

Leadership is a relationship between leader and followers based on ability and position, with an aim to achieve the certain goals, which is made possible through conducive environment, mutual understanding and effective communication; allowing the clear insight of vision and the steps to attain it, to the followers .
The researchers have suggested the various leadership styles, theories and characteristics but what pledges the guaranteed triumph, the question is still in discussion. The successful leader can be defined as the one who has attained in all the tasks and has remained as an outstanding and influential person through out his job.

The article puts light on some of the qualities possessed by all the great leaders of the past.
The successful leadership stems from being exceptionally sharp in decision-making and always come up with the right conclusions at demanding time. The leaders carefully analyze the facts and figures and open a new episode of creativity, each time they express their ideas. He possesses the ability to best interpret the information and reach at more practical and lucrative solutions.
The successful leaders possess vitality in his actions which instill the inspiration and the unbeatable feeling of motivation in the followers. This insurmountable inspiration and motivation acts as a catalyst towards the promising success. To get the task done, this is an important step by the leader as, it produces the cohesive feeling among the team mates. He must have a correct idea of the weakness and strengths of the individual and then work accordingly to bring them together, as a whole
Importantly, the successful leader is good at transferring his ideas and vision. The fluency, the enthusiasm with which he conveys his ideas to the subordinates engulf them with an invincible feeling of promised success. The clearer he is in his vision and goals, the better would be the performance of the followers.
To be an effective leader, he must have the true insight of the leadership styles and what style suits which situation. Only the apt of the situation and selection of the styles accordingly would assure the accomplishment of goals. On the basis of the individuals knowledge, the resources available, the related experiment, the nature of task and the relations with subordinates; the decision of situation is made in to effect.
Integrity in the words and actions is essential leadership skill. If the subordinates believe on the words of the leader, he would trust on him and will look forward to him in the troublesome situations. He would be expected to make fair judgments. The leader must be honest a in his judgments and must give the juniors their due reward; this will instill confidence in them to trust on their abilities and work harder.
To come up as an authentic leader, he has to make a leader among his subordinates. History has proved that only those leaders are written in the golden pages of history that have produced true leaders. For this to be done effectively, the leader must act as a role model for the subordinates and should keep his words. He must entrust the subordinates with few authorities in certain matters and expect the best from them. Timely guidance, instilling confidence through responsibilities would carve their skills of leadership, which would be unveiled as the situation demands.
If these superb qualities are the hallmarks of one’s character, he is truly a successful leader-the only support in the violent sea of crisis!