MGT1250 Module 6- Path-Goal Theory

Path-Goal Theory

MGT1250 Module 6

Path–Goal Theory (House, 1971) 

• Path–goal theory centers on how leaders motivate followers to accomplish designated goals

• Emphasizes the relationship between:

• the leader’s style

• the characteristics of the followers

• the work setting

Path–Goal Theory (House, 1971)

• Goal - To enhance employee performance and satisfaction by focusing on employee motivation

• Followers will be motivated if they believe:

• they are capable of performing their work

• that their efforts will result in a certain outcome 

• that the payoffs for doing their work are worthwhile

Leadership generates motivation when....

• It increases the number and kinds of payoffs followers receive from their work

• Makes the path to the goal clear and easy to travel through with coaching and direction

• Removes obstacles and roadblocks to attaining the goal

• Makes the work itself more personally satisfying

Leader Behaviors- Directive

• Leader who gives followers task instruction including:

• What is expected of them

• How task is to be done

• Timeline for task completion

Leader Behaviors- Supportive Leadership

• Attending to well-being & human needs of followers

• Using supportive behavior to make work environment pleasant

• Treating followers as equals & giving them respect for their status

Leader Behaviors- Participative Leadership

• Leader who invites followers to share in the decision making:

• Consults with followers

• Seeks their ideas & opinions

• Integrates their input into group/organizational decisions

Follower Characteristics

• Strong need for affiliation

• Friendly and concerned leadership is a source of satisfaction

• Supportive Leadership

• Preference for Structure

• Directive Leadership

Follower Characteristics

• Perception of their own ability – specific task

• As perception of ability and competence goes up, need for highly directive leadership goes down 

• Directive leadership may become redundant, possibly excessively controlling

Strengths

• Path–goal theory is a useful theoretical framework for understanding how various leadership behaviors affect the satisfaction of followers and their work performance.

• Path–goal theory attempts to integrate the motivation principles of expectancy theory into a theory of leadership.

• Path–goal theory provides a practical model that underscores and highlights the important ways leaders help followers.

Criticisms

• Empirical research studies have demonstrated only partial support for path–goal theory.

• It fails to adequately explain the relationship between leadership behavior and worker motivation.

• The path–goal theory approach treats leadership as a one-way event in which the leader affects the follower.

Multiple Choice

Path–goal theory could be best described as a

• Great person theory

• Motivational theory

• Transformational theory

• Behavioral theory

Multiple Choice

Which two path-goal leader behaviors are also leader behaviors in the situational approach?

• Supportive and directive

• Achievement-oriented and directive

• Supportive and authoritative

• Participative and directive

Multiple Choice

Followers who have strong needs for affiliation prefer which type of leadership behavior?

• Directive

• Participative

• Achievement oriented

• Supportive