Path-goal theory is when a leader motivates their followers to meet their objectives, by changing their approach to different types of followers needs (Northouse, 2016). In this situation leaders observe a situation and adapt their behaviors to help followers reach their goals in a manner that works for that individual. Often rewards or incentives are used to give the follower something to work toward (Northouse, 2016). By making a path to an objective clear and unhindered, a leader can motivate their followers to a more satisfying conclusion (House and Mitchell, 1974). Leadership can no longer have a one size fits all approach, followers come from all walks of life, experience, and educations, and their leaders must be willing to meet them halfway. A leader can no longer expect every follower to understand or relate to directives given to them in a cookie cutter way. Today’s leaders need to be inventive, exciting, and reliable; they need to know their audience.
We have all had that one leader who made a difference in who we are and how we developed as an individual. For me is was my soccer coach from high school. I joined the team as a freshman, believing that my skills would make is better than most, boy was I wrong. This coach knocked us down before building us up, she began the first day of practice with a very clear and straightforward guidelines of what she expected and the consequences of failure to meet these directives. I was a bit scared to be honest, no one had ever come right at me like that before, as I looked around at my friends and new teammates, I realized this season would be very different from any other. What I did not see coming, and what I would do this with my own kids when I coached was, if she asked us to run a lap, she ran that lap with us. She made us feel as if there was no moment on that field when we were alone, she was right there running or crawling with the team. She participated in every drill, every lap, every game to the fullest. At the end of the game our coach was just as sweaty and tired as we were, from running the field for the full 60. If we won that game the next practice would not be easier, but would be more fun, running favorite drills or playing games that carved our skills.
While all these path-goal traits made me a better person, none of them could hold a candle to her supportive side. During high school I encountered challenges no kid should, and I had very few places to turn. Two great examples were when I shattered my knee during a game and when I lost my father. After a horrific collision with another player, my right knee was left in pieces, it would require surgery to repair, and ended my days playing full contact soccer. This amazing lady showed up every day to encourage me to get up and move, she spoke to me about life, regret, and moving on. The second example is the death of my father a year after my accident. Coach did not just show up for the horrible days that followed, she listened and figured out what I needed as a kid who had lost her world. She not only led me on the field during my soccer days, she led me in life when even I did not know what I needed, she listened.
I truly wish I could give this woman’s name to the world, but it is not mine to share. My coach showed a full understanding of all aspect of the path-goal theory (Northouse, 2016). Her very stern directive leadership when we needed to know the rules, regulation and what she expected of us as a team was spot on. Not many coaches get on the field anymore and practice with their team (participative leadership), most yell from the sidelines, and some could not participate if they wanted to. While she did reward us with a more exciting practice after a win, the true goal to achieve was always championships. That was drilled in from day one at the very first practice. Her complete understanding of supportive leadership, however, is what made me who I am today. With her supporting me even after I could no longer play, I would never have made it through high school or even life. Leaders have the ability to teach followers so much more than just a job function, they can truly change their lives.
In today’s society, specifically in the youth of tomorrow, there will be a great need for this type of leadership. The next generation, and maybe the current young adults, are used to being catered to and having this one on one type of attention. The future will need leaders who can adapt to their followers and know how to pull the best out of them and when to just listen. It will make being that leader much harder and take far more training in psychology and development then today’s leaders currently have. Path-goal leadership skills will be very important and those who possess them will help to create a better tomorrow.
References
Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 7th Edition. Los Angeles: Sage
Publications
House, R.J., &Mitchell R.R. (1974). The path-goal theory of leadership: Journal of Contemporary Business, 3 81-97
Derrick Diksa says
Path-goal theory focuses on the followers and how they are motivated and how a leader adapts to the individual differences of those followers (PSU WC, L7, p. 11). I believe you had a one of a kind soccer coach after reading your post when we pair it with path-goal theory. For instance, there was directive leadership behavior when your coach set expectations on day 1 including consequences for not adhering to those standards, supportive behaviors when your coach was there for you in your 2 times of need even though you were no longer technically her responsibility, and the big one for me since none of my coaches ever did this – running drills with your team and becoming just as sweaty as all of you. That stood out for sure but let’s break down each of these three pieces of path-goal theory behaviors.
Setting the tone on day 1 is a goal of most coaches I have had but as a wrestler, that involved hours and hours of mundane drills, running lap after lap, and jumping rope for 30 plus straight minutes. There was never that sit down and explaining expectations that you speak of which I think is a key element of setting up a championship season. As incoming freshman to varsity sports, we have no idea what to expect day one but I am sure running drills all practice is not what we envision. That first day is ambiguous with unclear expectations and often times a very stressful, complex day (Northouse, 2016, p. 121). A team that is in the forming stages needs direction and that is exactly what your coach provided. I also like, contrary to path-goal theory, that your coach set the same expectations for everyone on the team at once so there could be no confusion between what was said to one player versus the other. You clearly had a great coach setting the team up for success like this and I think this is made even clearer when you had your 2 tragic incidents.
Being there for a player in their time of human needs is a major part of supportive behaviors for a leader under the path-goal theory (Northouse, 2016, p. 118). Lots of coaches are there for their players on the field but I think it takes a special type of leader to be there for the stuff that happens off the field. I personally would not be one to go to my coaches with my personal dilemmas because I did not feel that type of support from them. As Northouse states, your coach went “out of their way to make work (your life) pleasant,” (p. 118). One major follower characteristic you posed in this moment was a need for a human touch. You had just had a career ending injury and then lost your father – two very, very tough situations to go through alone. Your coach adapted their behaviors to provide you the support and nuturance you needed in that moment of your life. Your coach treated you as an equal in these situations because they recognized your needs in that moment (PSU WC, L7, p. 11). She is much more experienced than you at that time in your life and knew what needed to be said and heard to help get you through those situations. It is clear so far that your coach is a step above most but I do want to address one other aspect of their leadership behavior – participative.
I would imagine high school drills were much different from grade school ones in soccer. On day one when you were being explained the drills that you would be doing, I am sure there was a bit a doubt in your abilities to perform them up to standards. This can also be thought of as your perception of your own skills in regards to the task or drill that needed to be completed (PSU WC, L7, p. 13). From what you stated, you believed you had above average skills going into high school which is great and you felt that you were capable of completing certain drills or tasks but I am sure you knew you could do it when you saw your older coach doing the exact same drill as you. I would have probably thought, if this old head can do it, so can I!
In essence, your coach adapted her style to meet your needs in the given situation and she did this very well. She focused on what motivated you in that moment whether is was getting clear standards up front so you knew how the rest of the season would unfold, being there for you in your two times of needs even though they did not have a responsibility to, and getting down and dirty with the team during all drills, setting the bar to give the team something to reach for. Overall, I think you have one special coach there and I don’t think it would be reaching to say you still are in touch with the coach today.
References
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: theory and practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus (2020). PSYCH 485 Lesson 6: Contingency & Path-Goal Theory. Retrieved from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2015147/modules/items/29089097
anm5670 says
That was quite a coach you had. I never had a coach like that in my life. Followers of a leader are going to feel more motivated if they feel they are capable of doing it themselves. Your coach showed her team that. In this case, I think we should focus more on the supportive leadership. The way your coach was there for you during your father’s passing, your knee, and how she would do laps and exercises with you guys. “Supportive leadership consists of being friendly and approachable as a leader and includes attending to the well-being and human needs of followers” (Northouse, 2016, p.117-118). The way she cared for her team, and focused on you individually especially when you were going through a hard time sets up traits for you in the future.
REFERENCE
Northouse, P.G. (2016). Skills approach In Leadership: theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.