Full Answer Section

Role in Organizational Development:

Leaders play a crucial role in organizational development by:

• Setting direction and vision: Leaders articulate a compelling vision that guides the organization’s strategy and goals.

• Inspiring and motivating employees: Leaders create a shared sense of purpose and inspire employees to perform at their best.

• Building and fostering a culture of collaboration: Leaders promote teamwork, communication, and trust within the organization.

• Adapting to change: Leaders guide the organization through transitions and embrace innovation to stay competitive.

• Developing future leaders: Leaders invest in their team’s growth and development, ensuring the organization’s future success.

Q2. Transformational vs. Path-Goal Leadership

Transformational Leadership:

• Focus: Inspiring and empowering followers to achieve extraordinary results.

• Key Traits: Charisma, vision, and the ability to inspire, motivate, and challenge followers to reach their full potential.

• Example: Steve Jobs, renowned for his charismatic leadership style, visionary products, and ability to inspire passionate teams at Apple.

• Role in Sustainability: Transformational leaders can foster a culture of innovation, commitment, and adaptability crucial for long-term sustainability. They can inspire employees to embrace change, pursue continuous improvement, and build a resilient organization.

Path-Goal Theory of Leadership:

• Focus: Clarifying paths for followers to achieve their goals and providing necessary support.

• Key Traits: Focus on clear goals, providing guidance, and removing obstacles for followers.

• Example: A project manager who sets clear project goals, delegates tasks effectively, and provides support to team members, ensuring project success.

• Role in Sustainability: Path-goal leaders contribute to organizational sustainability by ensuring efficient goal achievement and employee satisfaction. By providing clear direction and resources, they can minimize confusion and maximize productivity, leading to consistent performance and long-term success.

Evaluation:

Both transformational and path-goal leadership styles are valuable, but their effectiveness depends on the specific situation and organizational context. Transformational leadership excels in times of major change or crisis, fostering innovation and motivating employees to embrace a new vision. Path-goal leadership is particularly effective in stable environments, ensuring efficient task completion and employee satisfaction.

The most effective leaders often combine elements of both styles, adapting their approach to the specific needs of their teams and the organization.