Christopher Van Wagner
In military each individual leader must understand the environment, their personnel and the needed result and lack of personnel and time does not permit the use of a contingency theory of leadership. Because the leader must adapt to many situations and deal with many different personalities understanding the path-goal theory is extremely beneficial. In path-goal theory, the leader needs to figure out how to use a leadership style that allows him/her to motivate employees. Thus, the leader needs to complement or supplement what is missing in the work environment. (Gutworth, 2015)
The theory is identified by four leadership behaviors. Each leadership behavior aims to maximize worker outcomes by recognizing the impact of both environmental factors and worker characteristics in job performance. (Cross, 2015) The first factor is Directive Leadership. Under this style, the leader basically spells out the goal and lays out a road map on how to accomplish it. To most outsiders, this would seem to be the defining style for military leaders to use. Today, however, this style is most prevalent in training scenarios and deployments. Another type of leadership style under the path-goal theory is Supportive Leadership, which is typically utilized after deployment by leaders helping with personal, family and other issues stemming from long periods away from home in hostile areas. Additionally, time off is usually abundant and major efforts are made to increase morale.
The third style is called Participative Leadership, and this is the point to which subordinates have input to the process. This is a relatively new concept utilized by the military (at least in the Navy.) Examples of this style are process improvement events. These events are modeled after the Toyota process where employees had input into how their tasks were accomplished. By listening to the subordinates the leader displays a genuine care for how the worker feels and it also instills ownership. Lastly, is the Achievement Oriented style where “subordinate goals are designed to encourage high performance, and supervisors exhibit confidence in employees to motivate them in meeting performance goals.”(Cross, 2015) In the military this style is probably utilized more than in the civilian world because it depends on the workers passion for their work and what could drive passion more than the selfless sacrifice they make for their country every day!
References:
Cross, V., 2015, The Path-Goal Theory of Leadership in Companies, Chron, retrieved from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/pathgoal-theory-leadership-companies-20568.html
Gutworth, M., 2015, PSYCH485: Leadership in Work Settings, Penn State Angel, retrieved from: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/su15/psych485/002/common/homepage.html