Fundamentals of Management, 8th ed

Path-Goal Theory

The

path-goal theory

of leadership—associated most closely with Martin Evans and

Robert House—is a direct extension of the expectancy theory of motivation discussed

in Chapter 10.

20

Recall that the primary components of expectancy theory included the

likelihood of attaining various outcomes and the value associated with those outcomes.

The path-goal theory of leadership suggests that the primary functions of a leader are

to make valued or desired rewards available in the workplace and to clarify for the

Contingency Factors

Situations

Leader–member relations

Good

Task structure

High

Position power

Strong

Bad

Low

High

Low

Weak

Strong

Weak

Strong

Weak

Strong

Weak

Favorableness

of Situation

Appropriate

Leader Behavior

Most favorable

Moderately favorable

Most unfavorable

Task-oriented

Task-oriented

Relationship-oriented

©

C

enga

ge

Lea

rn

in

g

F I G U R E 1 1 . 2

The Least-Preferred Coworker Theory of Leadership

Fiedler’s LPC theory of leadership suggests that appropriate leader behavior varies

as a function of the favorableness of the situation. Favorableness, in turn, is defined

by task structure, leader–member relations, and the leader’s position power.

According to the LPC theory, the most and least favorable situations call for task-

oriented leadership, whereas moderately favorable situations suggest the need for

relationship-oriented leadership.

path-goal theory

A theory of

leadership

suggesting that the

primary functions of

a leader are to make

valued or desired

rewards available in

the workplace and to

clarify for the

subordinate the

kinds of behavior

that will lead to those

rewards

338

Part 4: Leading

Copyright 2016 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s).

Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it.

---

subordinate the kinds of behavior that will lead to goal accomplishment and valued

rewards—that is, the leader should clarify the paths to goal attainment.

Leader Behavior

The most fully developed version of path-goal theory identifies four

kinds of leader behavior. Directive leader behavior lets subordinates know what is

expected of them, gives guidance and direction, and schedules work. Supportive leader

behavior is being friendly and approachable, showing concern for subordinate welfare,

and treating members as equals.