This question contains two parts; be sure to answer both. First, explain Fiedler's contingency theory by describing the factors that contribute to a low-control situation, and what style of leadership would be prescribed in this case. Second, imagine that you are the shop foreman in a factory that manufactures auto accessories, such as air fresheners, CD holders, and cup holders. You manage 40 people who work on an assembly line, and you make all hiring and firing decisions in the shop. Many of the employees have been working for the company for more than ten years, and you have been their manager for the entire time. Describe how your job rates on each of the three dimensions of situational control, and explain what your optimal leadership style would be under these circumstances.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The contingency leadership model determines if a leader's style is (1) task-oriented or (2) relationship-oriented and if that style is effective for the situation at hand. Situational control is based on task structure (the extent to which tasks are routine, unambiguous, and easily understood), leader-member relations (the extent to which a leader has the support, loyalty, and trust of the work group), and position power (how much power a leader has to make work assignments and reward and punish). Situational control determines what leadership style (task-oriented or relationship-oriented) works best. High- and low-control situations favor task-oriented leadership, while moderate-control situations call for relationship-oriented leadership. In low-control situations, leader decisions can't produce predictable results because the leader can't really influence outcomes.

As the shop foreman in the circumstances described, you have good leader-member relations, a high task structure, and strong position power. Your optimal leadership style would therefore be task-motivated.