This week's content discussed some of the behavioral theories of leadership and their ethical implications. Consider and comment on the following questions:
Of the Iowa Study leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, and laissez faire), which style is most appealing to you? Are any of the styles ethically superior to any of the others? Why or why not?
With respect to the Michigan and Ohio Studies, do you think leaders who focus more on followers than on the job at hand are more ethical than other leaders? Is a balance better than being partial to one of the two dimensions?
Given that the results of these studies were slightly different, which do you think got it most right?
Full Answer Section
With respect to the Michigan and Ohio Studies, I believe that leaders who focus more on followers than on the job at hand are not necessarily more ethical than other leaders. It is important for leaders to strike a balance between the two dimensions. Leaders who focus too much on followers may be seen as weak or indecisive, while leaders who focus too much on the job at hand may be seen as uncaring or authoritarian.
I think that the Ohio Study got it more right than the Michigan Study. The Ohio Study found that two dimensions of leadership behavior are important: initiating structure and consideration. Initiating structure refers to the extent to which a leader defines the roles of followers and establishes clear goals and expectations. Consideration refers to the extent to which a leader is supportive, listens to followers, and shows concern for their well-being. I believe that these two dimensions are more important than the three dimensions identified by the Michigan Study (production orientation, employee orientation, and participation).
Ultimately, the best leadership style is the one that is most effective in a particular situation. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and leaders need to be flexible and adaptable in their approach.
Sample Answer
Of the Iowa Study leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, and laissez faire), the style that is most appealing to me is democratic leadership. This is because I believe that it is important for leaders to involve their followers in decision-making and to create a sense of ownership and responsibility among them. Democratic leaders are also more likely to be seen as fair and ethical, as they are giving their followers a voice and a say in how things are done.
I do not believe that any of the Iowa Study leadership styles are ethically superior to any of the others. Each style has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the best style for a particular situation will depend on a number of factors, such as the task at hand, the followers, and the leader's own preferences.