Path Goal Theory-Robert House

Path Goal Theory-Robert House

Technical Details

      Author: Robert House

      Classification: Contingency Transactional Leadership Theory

      Year: 1971, revised in 1996

Transactional Leadership Theory means use of tasks, rewards and structures to help followers meet their needs while working to accomplish organizational objectives.

Transactional Leadership: Factors

      Builds on man’s need to get a job and make a living

      Is preoccupied with power ,position, politics and perks(bonus)

      Is short term and hard data-oriented

      Focuses on tactical issues

      Relies on human relations and interactions

      Follow and fulfills role expectations by motivating to work effectively within current systems

      Support structures and systems that maximize efficiency and guarantee short term profits

------(Covey, 1992)

Path Goal Theory: (Robert House)

Definition

Path Goal Theory focuses on how leaders motivate subordinates to accomplish designed goals task

      Emphasize the relationship between

·         Leadership style

·         Characteristics of subordinates

·         Work setting

Perspective

      Goal

·         To enhance employee performance and satisfaction by focusing on employee motivation

      Motivational Principles( based on expectancy theory)

            Subordinates will be motivated if they believe that:

·         They are capable of performing their work

·         Their effort will result in certain outcome

·         The payoffs for doing their work are worthwhile

Expectancy theory says that individuals are different set of goals and can be motivated if they believe that.

      There is a positive correlation between efforts and performance

      Favourable performance will result in desirable reward

      The reward  will satisfy an important need

Three components of Expectancy theory

1.      Expectancy : EffortàPerformance (E-P)

2.      Instrumentality :PerformanceàOutcome (P-O)

Challenge to Leader

Leader must use a leadership style that best meets subordinates motivational needs.

Leaders should

      Choose behaviour that complement /supplement what is missing in work setting

      Provide information/ rewards

      Provide subordinates the support they need to reach their goals

Conditions Leadership Motivation

Leadership generates motivation when it:

      Make the path to goal clear and easy to travel through coaching and direction

      Removes obstacles/ roadblocks to attaining goal

      Make the work itself more personally satisfying

      Increase number/ kinds of incentives/ rewards

Major components of Path-Goal Theory

Path Goal Theory suggests

      A particular leader behaviour depends on-

                                i.            Subordinate characteristics (Ability, Skills, needs and motivations )

                              ii.            Work environment (Degree of task structure , formal authority system, work group itself, e.g. quality of relationships and educational level of members

Leader Behaviours

1.      Directive Leadership

      Directive Leader-

·         Test employees what is expected from them and schedules of a work

·         Gives specific guidance as to how to accomplish tasks

·         Emphasizing duties’ –heart of leader-subordinate relationship

2.      Supportive Leadership

      Supportive Leader

·         Is friendly

·         Shows concern for needs of employees

3.      Participative Leadership

Participative Leader

·         Concerns with employees

·         Uses their suggestions in making a decision

This style may be used when follower is making incorrect decisions.

4.      Achievement Leadership

Achievement Leader

·      Sets challenging goals

·      Expects employees to perform at their highest level

This style is used when follower lacks sufficient drive or has a lack of job challenge.

Subordinate Characteristics

1.      Preference for structure- Directive Leadership

2.      Unsatisfied / Need for Affiliation-Supportive Leadership

3.      Desire for clarity-Participative Leadership

4.      Need for excel/ High Expectations-Achievement Oriented Leadership

Task Situations Requiring Leader Involvement Task Characteristics

Path Goal Situations and Preferred Leadership Behaviours

How does Path-Goal Theory Work ?

·         Leaders’ job is to help subordinates reach their goals.( by directing,guiding and coaching followers along with way)

·         Leaders must evaluate task and subordinate chaacterstics and adopt leadership styles to these.

·         This theory suggests which style is most appropriate.

Strengths in brief

Path-Goal Theory

      Providesa  practical model that highlights appropriate leadership behaviours through which leaders help subordinates.(employees satisfaction,work performance)

      Attempts to investigate motivating principles of expectancy theory into theory of leadership.

      Principles of Path Goal Theory can be employed by leaders at all organisational level and for all types of tasks.

Summing Up

      Autocratic Leaders:

·         Style problems and make decision by themselves.

      Democratic Leaders:

·         To show problems with subordinates as group.

      Delegative/ Free Reign Leaders:

·         Allow employees to make decision.

·         Though leaders still remains responsible for the decisions that are made and used by employees.

Power Styles

Source:Desaler,G.A (2003) Framework of Management,Prentice Hall,New Jersey

Who is an Educational Leader ?       

Qualified and experienced educator who-

      Leaders’ development curriculum.

      Ensures clear goals and expectationsfor teaching-learning.

Educaional Leadership Model  : (Thomas J. Sergiovanni)

Educaional Leadership is a Model because it emphasizes the bringing together of diverse people into a common cause by strugguling to make the school a conventional community.

Sergiovanni in his article “ Leadership and Excellence in Schooling” described five factorsthat leaders can use to bringout changes to a improving schooling.

5 Leadership forces

1.      Technical—derived from sound management techniques

2.      Human—derived from harnessing available social and interpersonal resources

3.      Educational—derived from expert knowledge about matters of education and schooling

4.      Symbolic—derived from focusing the attention of others on matters of importance to the school

5.      Cultural—derived from building a unique school culture.

Figure : The Leadership Forces HierarchyWhat is Teacher Leadership ?

“Teacher Leadership is the process by which teachers individually or collectively; influence their colleagues,principals, and other member of the school community to improve teaching and learning practices with the aim at increaed student learning and achievement.”

            -----York-Barr and Duke-2004

Important to know differences

School principal ,superitended/Assistant Superitended,Associate/Assistant Principl,Dean of student,Athletic Director,Career counsellor

Subject teacher/Leader,Grade-Level class,Teacher/Leader,Leader teacher(subject wise),instructional,game/Art/ICT/Music/Coach

Process

Growing-Teacher Leaders:A Process

In brief

To be good educational leader,there are things that a leader must BE,KNOW and DO.

Educational Leaders should-

      BE Professional

      BE professional and who posess good character traits

      KNOW various factors of leadership

      KNOW themselves

      KNOW human nature

      KNOW their job structure/ pattern

      KNOW their organisation

      DO plan

      DO implement

      DO motivation

      DO support and direct