Leadership theory

The Behavioural School

The results of the trait studies were inconclusive. Traits, amongst other things, were hard to measure. How, for example, do we measure traits such as honesty, integrity, loyalty, or diligence? Another approach in the study of leadership had to be found.

After the publication of the late Douglas McGregor's classic book The Human Side of Enterprise in 1960, attention shifted to ‘behavioural theories’. McGregor was a teacher, researcher, and consultant whose work was considered to be "on the cutting edge" of managing people. He influenced all the behavioural theories, which emphasize focusing on human relationships, along with output and performance.

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