The Main Theories Of Leadership

Why do some leaders succeed while others fail? What makes some people excel in leadership roles? In this article we are going to analyze the main theories of leadership that can answer these and other questions.

There is no magic combination of characteristics that makes a leader successful. However, this does not mean that there are not some that make this success more likely and that we cannot learn to be more effective leaders. As a preliminary step to this goal, we need to understand the various approaches to leadership so that the correct approach can be used for a particular situation. One way to do this is to know the main theories of leadership.

Leadership theories seek to explain how and why certain people become leaders. These theories usually focus on the characteristics of leaders, but some attempt to identify the behaviors that people can adopt to improve their own leadership skills in different situations.

Early discussions of leadership psychology generally suggested that such skills were simply skills that people were born with.  Some more recent leadership theories propose that possessing certain traits can help people become leaders of nature, but that experience and situational variables also play an important role.

Leadership theories

As interest in different types of leadership and their consequences has increased, various leadership theories have been introduced to explain exactly how and why certain people become great leaders.

People have been interested in leadership throughout human history, but it has been relatively recent that various theories of leadership have appeared in a formal way, increasing interest in this topic during the first part of the 20th century.

Theories of the “Great Man”

According to this view, great leaders are simply born with the necessary internal characteristics, such as charisma, confidence, intelligence, and social skills.

Great men’s theories assume that leadership ability is inherent, meaning that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often describe great leaders as heroic, mythical, and destined to occupy a leadership position.

The term “Great Man” was used because, at the time of the emergence of the theories, originally proposed by historian Thomas Carlyle, leadership was seen primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership. These theories suggest that people cannot really learn how to become strong leaders, but are born with the innate ability to do so.

Trait theories

Trait theories are similar in some respects to Big Man theories. Trait theories assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited for leadership. 

Trait theories look at personality traits and behaviors that contribute to leadership. The main focus is on the key personality and behavioral traits that great leaders share.

However, the problem is that people with similar traits can end up being totally different leaders. In some cases, one may become a leader, while the other remains a follower, regardless of how common in personality or behavior.

Contingency theories

Contingency theories emphasize leadership styles depending on the situation in which the leader finds himself.  They focus on particular variables related to the environment that can determine which particular leadership style is best suited for the situation.

According to this theory, no one leadership style is best for all situations. Leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest that truly effective leadership is not just about the qualities of the leader, but rather about striking a balance between behaviors, needs, and context.

In this sense, good leaders are able to assess the needs of their followers, take stock of the situation, and then adjust their behaviors. Success depends on a number of variables, including leadership style, qualities of followers, and aspects of the situation.

Situational theories

Situational theories, like contingency theories, see leaders adapt to the situation they find themselves in. The difference is that the leader is considered to change his leadership style according to the change in situation.

Situational theories include the change in the motivation of the leader, as well as the capabilities of the individuals who are followers. The leader can change his opinion about his followers, their situation and their mental and emotional state. All of these factors contribute to the decisions the leader makes.

Furthermore, situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based on situational variables. Different leadership styles may be more appropriate for certain types of decision making.

Behavioral theories

With behavioral theories, the belief is that leaders are formed or created, regardless of whether they are born with one characteristic or another.  Leadership would be learned through observation and teaching. As with other behaviors, it is believed that leadership can also be learned and developed.

That is, the theories of leadership behavior are based on the belief that great leaders are created, not born. According to this theory, people can learn to be leaders through teaching and observation.

Participatory theories

Participatory leadership theories suggest that the ideal leadership style is one that takes into account the role that others can play. The inclusion of others in the leader’s decision-making process is vital in participatory leadership theories. Good leaders would actively seek the contribution of others.

This process involves the people led. Thus, the good leader would be the one who was able to make them feel valued, as well as being an influential party in the decisions that are made. This feeling of being a real part of something important would make followers feel more engaged in the process.

Management or transactional theories

Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of rewards and punishments, that is, on a system of management of the performance of individuals by leaders in which success is rewarded and failures are punished.

This is the most common form of leadership. The role of the leader is to manage the expectations of the followers and adapt them to the objectives of the group. Basically the leader would be a manager, both of people and of resources.

Relationship or transformational theories

Relationship theories, also known as transformational theories, focus on the connections formed between leaders and followers. This approach not only focuses on the performance of the group, but is also interested in how each of the members of the group can develop their full potential.

Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by managing and aligning two interests: the group and the individual.  In addition, for them the definition of the objective is as important as the means and the investment necessary to achieve them.

The leader motivates and inspires by making the followers assume the best role, taking into account that their role and the way they perform it is important for the result. The relationship and connection between a leader and his follower is the main focus, without neglecting respect for ethics and caring for each follower or subordinate individually.