Leadership Patterns | Organization development useful article

Role of leadership patterns in leadership development

The distribution of leadership role is also closely related to the variations in the established leadership patterns. Institutional leadership which refers to formal or appointive leaders who by virtue of their positions are expected to carry the leadership roles. The leadership roles associated with the position continue even though the persons occupying the position may change. A group's acceptance and tolerance of one or another of these leadership patterns depends upon the degree of maturity in the processes of democracy which that group represents. There is an urgent need for a microcosmic study of rural life both by anthropologists and sociologists to enable us to from correct perspectives about the changing leadership patterns. Many leadership theories have been suggested from time immemorial. As soon as the leaders successful leadership behaviours and the role of principles in peers and followers of the theories focus on the qualities most valued. Some of the leadership patterns and principles are as follows:

Great Man Theory : Great man theory, according to a leader is born and can not be created. The theory was that leaders who are comfortable leading to exceptional qualities and are destined. Here's a concept that led mainly be dominated by men was considered as the word "man" is. Great leaders are born only when there is an urgent need. It also suggests that qualities of leadership are inherent.

Trait theory : According to the principle of specialty; some people are suited to the leadership qualities that are born with. Through this approach, such people with leadership qualities can be separated and then people with such qualities could be recruited or selected into leadership positions. This approach was commonly used in the army is still recruiting candidates for commission. Contingency theory used, the principle variables that are related to the environment will determine the leadership style appropriate for a particular situation focuses. It says that it is impossible to determine the best leadership style would be suited for any situation. Success depends on qualities of followers and other variables.

Such leadership patterns may be in the following forms.

• Situational leadership which emerges at a time when the group or community. Another variation would be what is called informal leadership which commands respect and prestige in specific situations.
• Dictatorial or authoritarian leadership which tends to centralize all the functions in one individual and does not seek to evoke the maximum involvement to other members in the group in finding solutions to common problems.

This type of leadership usually fails to generate spontaneity of assent and group solidarity. Some research studies have, hove, however, suggested that what is frequently called authoritarian leadership may not be bad or unproductive. There are always certain situations in which members prefer such leadership for advancing the interest of the group, as at times permissive leadership blocks movement towards the attainment of the group goal/goals.

- Democratic creative leadership which promotes responsible participation by other group members and reinforces cooperative inter-personal relations within the group.

It makes use of those ways that release creativity in group members and encourages cohesiveness in the group. None of these patterns, however, exit in their pure form in the real world. Whereas institutional leadership has informal aspects, informal leadership has formal aspects which characterize the various leadership roles. Again we need to recognize that there is democratic-authoritarian continuum and that while one many be embedded to democratic leadership, this does not mean that in all situations there if full realization of individual abilities and needs. Differences in leadership patterns do produce different results in different situations.