page background

Presentation of Path-Goal Theory

A Study In Leadership Presented by A. Boughman

Presentation ofPath-Goal TheoryA Study In Leadership Presented by A. Boughman

Please enjoy the music while you watch this presentation!

Rascal Flats - Life Is A Highway [WITH LYRICS]
zoom_out_map

Description of Path-Goal Theory

Path-goal theory examines how leaders motivate or direct followers to accomplish specific goals.

House and Mitchell (1974)

...theorized that great leadership leads to follower motivation when "it increases the the number and kinds of payoffs that followers receive from their work." (House and Mitchell as cited by Northouse, 2016)

Expectancy Theory of Motivation

Vroom (as cited by Northouse, 2016) stated that "followers will be motivated if they think they are capable of performing their work, and if they believe their efforts will result in certain outcomes."

Leader Behaviors

Different leadership behaviors form the foundation of Path-goal leadership theory. These include directive leadership, supportive leadership, participative leadership, and achievement-oriented leadership (Northouse, 2016).
zoom_out_map

Directive Leadership

Halpin and Winer (as cited in Northouse, 2016) that a leader who gives explicit instructions about when a task is to be completed, the manner it is to be done, and clear expectations is a directive leader.
zoom_out_map

Supportive Leadership

"Being friendly and approachable" is the basis of being a supportive leader (Northouse, 2016).
zoom_out_map

Participative Leadership

In this model, a participative leader involves the followers in listening to their ideas and collaborating in the decision making process (Northouse, 2016)

There's One More- Achievement-Oriented Leadership

An achievement-oriented leader expects a high standard of excellence and expects the followers to perform their tasks at the maximum level. (Northouse, 2016)

Follower Characteristics of Path-Goal Theory

zoom_out_map

Need for Affiliation

According to the Path-goal theory, followers prefer supportive leadership when they have a strong need for affiliation (Northouse, 2016)
zoom_out_map

Desire for Control

Th Path-goal theory surmises that followers with intrinsic motivation prefer leaders that allow them to participate in the decision making process. For followers lacking intrinsic motivation, this theory suggests these individuals may prefer a more directive type of leadership (Northouse, 2016)
zoom_out_map

The Perceptions of One's Own Abilities.

As followers feel that their abilities and confidence to complete tasks rises, the need for directive leadership lessens or becomes redundant (Northouse, 2016)

Task Characteristics

Task Characteristics have a major bearing on how leader's actions impacts the motivation of the followers. The "task characteristics include the design of follower's task, formal authority system of the organization, and the primary work group of the followers." (Northouse, 2016)

Strengths of the Path-Goal Theory

zoom_out_map

Provides a Construct on How Follower's Work Satisfaction, Performance, and Satisfaction are Measured

It is one of the first theories to differentiate between leadership styles ( supportive, participative, directive, and achievement-oriented) and also provides insight into follower behaviors (Northouse, 2016).
zoom_out_map

Integrates Motivation Principles and Expectancy Theory

Path-goal theory forces us to ask questions dealing with how to increase follower motivation, improve the incentives followers expect, help followers to feel successful and a major part of the organization (Northouse, 2016).
zoom_out_map

It Is a Practical Model On Ways Leaders Can Help Followers

Path-goal encourages leaders to break down into pieces the path that leads to the group achieving their goals. It also remove barriers to help achieve those goals. It pushes leaders to think about ways to "guide and coach" followers as they push forward to meet their goals (Northouse, 2016)

Criticisms of Path-goal Theory

zoom_out_map

Path-goal Theory Is Very Complex

This theory includes many different views of leadership. Breaking it down into manageable parts can be confusing. "It is a daunting task to incorporate all of these factors simultaneously." (Northouse, 2016)
zoom_out_map

Path-goal Theory Has Received Only Piecemeal Support in Related Research Studies

Not all aspects of Path-goal theory have received comparable emphasis in research. The assertion of how a leader guides an organization is directly tied to follower fulfillment is inconclusive (House and Mitchell, et al, as cited in Northouse, 2016)
zoom_out_map

Path-goal Implies That Leadership Is a One-Way Street

Path-goal theory emphasizes leaders as providers of coaching, guidance, and "direction". However, little is said about how followers contribute to this relationship (Northouse, 2016)

Application

Many management training programs do not use Path-goal theory. However, this theory does offer helpful ideas on how to improve one's leadership. It also gives leaders insight into follower motivation and how they should respond or act in certain situations. The Path-goal theory does not limits itself to only one level of management, but aspects of this theory can be used in low, middle, and high levels of organizations (Northouse, 2016)

References

Northouse, P. G. Leadership Theory and Practice (Vol. 7). (2016). Western Michigan University, MI: Sage.

Thank you for watching!