Leadership Continuum

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What is the Leadership Continuum?

According to the Leadership Continuum model of R. Tannenbaum and W.H. Schmidt (1973) an autocratic leader will likely make his own decisions. He will not delegate to his subordinates. Whereas a more democratic leader (laissez-faire manager) gives subordinates a greater degree of delegation in decision-making.

In 1938, Lewin and Lippitt proposed classifications of leaders. These were based on how much involvement leaders placed onto task and relationship needs. These types of leadership behavior were expressed in 1973 along a continuum by Tannenbaum & Schmidt. The spectrum ranges from boss-centered (task) to subordinate-centered (relationship).

Forces to consider for Leaders

To choose the most appropriate style and use of authority, the leader should take into consideration:

1. Forces in the manager: belief in team member participation and confidence in capabilities of members. Compare: Theory of Needs

2. Forces in the subordinate person: subordinates who are independent, tolerant of ambiguity, competent, identify with organizational goals.

3. Forces in the situation:

   • the team has requisite knowledge.
   • the team has organizational values and traditions.
   • the team works effectively.

4. Time pressure: need for immediate decision under pressure. Mitigates against participation.

Advantages of the Leadership Continuum Model. Benefits

• Gives managers a range of choices for involvement.

• Presents criteria for involvement and delegation.

• Focuses the decision maker on relevant criteria (e.g. forces & time).

• Emphasizes employee development and empowerment.

• Is heuristic. Encourages research to see how effective delegation may be under the model.

 
Limitations of the Leadership Continuum. Disadvantages

• Involves only the initial step of assigning a task to someone, not the following processes that may determine the effectiveness of the outcome.

• Assumes that the manager has sufficient information to determine the disposition to himself or to the team.

• Assumes "neutral" environment without social bonds or politics.

• Simplifies complex decisions towards a two-polar dimension; more simple than the reality is.

Forum Forum discussions about the Leadership Continuum. 🔥 How to Combine Employee Empowerment with Operational Discipline? Gulati's 3P Framework According to Professor Ranjay Gulati, executives and managers have trouble resolving the tension between employee empowerment (FREEDOM) and operational discipline (CONTROL). Freedom refers to trusting... 32   22 comments Combination of Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum with Tuckman Stages You can combine the Leadership Continuum with the Team Development Stages of Tuckman. Plotting Tuckman's Team Building Stages onto the Tannenbaum and Schmidt Continuum shows a collaboration between t... 6   Leadership Succession. Ensuring Continuity of Leadership The leader is one who ensures leadership continuity for a long haul. Therefore he must have an uncanny ability to indentify, test and develop leaders for the future.... 5   2 comments Substitutes for Leadership (Kerr and Jermier) There are a wide range of leadership theories that explain particular traits, behaviors and activities needed for leaders to be effective. Most of these theories recognize that the type of leadership ... 4   1 comments Leadership Continuum or Management Continuum? The Leadership Continuum Model shows management styles from "autocratic" to "full control". Most managers do not make good leaders and vise versa. A leader is a visionary, one who can motivate employe... 4   7 comments Leadership is all about Decision making As far as decision-making is the main subject of leadership, other issues such as delegation and relationships remain secondary to it and a matter of management.... 4   1 comments Laissez Faire versus Democratic Leaders A Democratic leader Involves team in decision making, consults and then takes a call whereas A Laissez Faire leader has a hands off approach let the team and the reportees take a call. Democratic an... 1   2 comments Leaders are the Heads not the Tails of the Organization There are many leadership styles and leaders give direction to their employees and make good decisions in many ways. The use of motivational approaches enables leaders to accomplish better results wit... 0   Force Field = 5 Levels of Management The summary of the five levels of management to arrive at level 5 managers(Collins) has some similarity to the forcefield distribution of leadership.... -2   Start a new topic about the Leadership Continuum Sign up for free

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Expert Tips Advanced insights about the Leadership Continuum. Here you will find professional advices by experts. Consultancy Tips Teaching Tips Practical Implementation Tips LEADER: Best Practices for Effective Leadership Behavior Leadership Behavior, Leadership Effectiveness, Leadership Style Following six short behavioral tips can help you to enhance your leadership efficiency: 1. L - LISTENING: Actively list... The Relationship between the Power of Leaders and Overconfidence Leadership, Power, Leadership Development, Executive Education Fast et al. (2012) researched the relationship between power and overconfidence. In many cases it can be seen that decis... How Should CEOs Manage and Communicate the Main Messages? Strategic Communication, Leader Skills, Communication Skills, Leader Perspective Inspiring the organisation to create a better future is arguably the ultimate mission of any leader or CEO. That's why a... Loved and Feared Leaders Another Continuum Scott A. Snook, a retired U.S. Army colonel and now Harvard Professor, in his January 2008 HBR article, addresses a ques...

Information Sources Various sources of information regarding the Leadership Continuum. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. How to Become a Master Manager? Introduction to Managing People. Know Thyself This good introduction presentation is about how to be a Master Manager. By J. S. Osland, D. A. Kolb, I. M. Rubin and M.... Cultural Differences Directive vs Supportive Leader The goal of this study by Hein Wendt, Martin Euwema and Olena Zhytnyk is to clarify relationships between directive and ... The Fatal Coaching Mistake by Managers Coaching, Mentoring, Management, Leadership Managers and executives often don't realize how much influence they have over their staff, by just being their superior... 10 Leadership Theories in a Nutshell Leadership Theories Overview, Leadership Development, Management Development, Leadership Styles, Coaching, Mentoring This 5-minute video gives a brief overview of 10 theories of leadership, explaining their main differences: 1. The Grea... Young Steve Jobs on the Role of Managers Management, Leadership, Talent Management, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development This video is a nice start for any management course. Jobs shares some ideas on managers (in a high-tech environment) an... How to Achieve Employee Engagement Employee Empowerment, Employee Participation, Participative Management, Participative Leadership Tom Peters gives a short, but fundamental advice on how you can accomplish his 3rd and 4th principle (3. Autonomy and En... Leadership Continuum Diagram Comparing autocratic vs. democratic leaders Download and edit the 12manage PowerPoint model for limited personal, educational and business use. Republishing in int...

Tools Useful tools regarding the Leadership Continuum. News Videos Presentations   Books Academic More

Compare with Leadership Continuum: Path-Goal Theory  |  Managerial Grid  |  Leadership Styles  |  Level 5 Leadership  |  Situational Leadership  |  Charismatic Leadership  |  Servant-Leadership  |  Theory X Theory Y  |  Contingency Theory  |  Competing Values Framework  |  EPIC ADVISERS  | Levels of Culture  |  Culture Types  |  Expectancy Theory  |  Results-Based Leadership  |  Result Oriented Management  |  Hierarchy of Needs |  Two Factor Theory  |  Theory of Needs  |  Bases of Social Power  |  Seven Surprises  |  Seven Habits  |  SMART  |  PAEI  |  Changing Organization Cultures  |  Framing  |  Beyond Budgeting  |  Stages of Team Development

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