Behavioral Approach

According to this approach, leadership involves an interpersonal relationship between a leader and subordinates. The good behavior of the Leader raises the morale, build up confidence and spirit among the team members

Criticism of the Behavioral Approach

This approach does not take into consideration the situational variables. A particular leadership style may be effective in one situation, but it may not be so effective or ineffective in another situation.

This approach does not consider the time factor also.

Important Behavioral Theory

1)   Michigan Studies

2)   Ohio State University

Michigan Studies

These empirical studies conducted by the Institute of Social Research at the University of Michigan. The purpose of these studies was to identify styles of leadership behavior that results in higher performance and satisfaction of a group.

Two different styles of leadership

Production Centered Leadership This leadership is also known as task oriented leadership

Employee Centered Leadership This style is also known as relation oriented leadership because it emphasis on human relations.

Criticism

These studies failed to determine whether leadership behavior is a cause or effect.

These studies ignore the personal characteristics of subordinates, group characteristic and the other situational variables.

  

Ohio state university leadership studies

The main objective of the studies was to identify the major dimensions of leadership and to investigate the effect of leaders behavior on employee behavior and satisfaction.

Two different dimension of Leaders behavior

Initiating Structure

It refers to the leader’s behavior in defining and organizing the relationship between himself and members of the group.

Consideration

Consideration refers to the behavior which can be characterized by mutual trust, Openness, Respect.