leader 5
Chapter 5:
Attending to Tasks and Relationships
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Chapter Objectives
- Explain the task and relationship styles of leadership.
- Describing the use of task and relationship leadership in practice.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- What are some of the tasks you must attend to as a leader?
- Does that affect your ability to handle relationships?
- Do you spend more time on tasks or dealing with relational issues when you lead? Why?
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- We all have unique habits regarding our balance of work and play.
- We have similarly unique balances of task- and relationship-oriented behaviors.
- All of us exhibit a blend of both task and relationship behaviors in leadership, but most prefer one style over the other.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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The Fundamentals of Leadership
- Task-oriented people are goal-oriented.
- They want to achieve.
- Their work is where they find meaning.
- Reaching a goal is a positive expression of who they are.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- Relationship-oriented people find meaning in being rather than in doing.
- Instead of seeking out tasks, relationship-oriented people want to connect with others.
- They have strong orientation in the present and find meaning in the moment.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Most leadership falls in the middle of the continuum between task and relationship orientation.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Task Leadership
- Task leadership behaviors facilitate goal accomplishment.
- The leader initiates structure:
Organizes work
Defines responsibilities
Schedules work activities
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
The Fundamentals of Leadership
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- The leader engages in production orientation, which stresses:
The production and technical aspects of the job
The focus is on how the job will be done
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Task Leadership
- Leaders will always be required to exhibit some degree of task behavior.
- This depends on the leader’s personal style and the needs of the situation.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
The Fundamentals of Leadership
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- Relationship leadership behaviors help subordinates feel comfortable with themselves, with each other, and with the situation.
- They include:
Consideration behaviors
Employee orientation
Concern for people
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- Consideration behavior builds:
Camaraderie
Respect
Trust
Regard between leaders and followers
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- An employee orientation involves:
Taking an interest in workers as human beings
Valuing their uniqueness
Giving special attention to their personal needs
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- A concern for people involves:
Building trust
Providing good working conditions
Maintaining a fair salary structure
Promoting good social relations
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- Relationship leadership behavior is about three things:
Treating followers with dignity and respect
Building relationships and helping people get along
Making the work setting a pleasant place to be
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Change Leadership
- Third category of leader behaviors relevant to effective leadership (Yukl, Gordon, and Taber, 2002)
- Based on an analysis of a large number of earlier leadership measures
- Change behaviors include: visioning, intellectual stimulation, risk-taking, and external monitoring.
- Change behaviors are closely related to leadership skills and vision.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- Which student perspective on task and relationship styles do you identify with the most?
- Task and relationship leadership behaviors are inextricably tied together.
- A leader’s challenge is to integrate the two in an optimal way.
- Understanding your personal styles of work and play can provide a better recognition of your leadership.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- When followers feel uncertain about their roles and responsibilities and want tasks to be clarified, task leadership is important.
- When followers want to be affiliated or connected to others more than they want direction, relationship leadership is important.
- Effective leaders recognize and adapt to followers’ needs.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Leadership Snapshot: Mick Wilz
- Wilz’ unique relationship-oriented approach made the most difference.
- Wilz is dyslexic and finds reading, writing, and spelling to be very difficult.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
Leadership Snapshot: Mick Wilz
- Because of his difficulties, Wilz relies heavily on visual communication, which was one reason he decided to inform employees about the redesign by showing, rather than telling them.
- Wilz’s struggles and achievements have made him a more compassionate boss. “Because I had a difficult time when I was young, I believe in treating others as I would like to have been treated. I give employees second chances because I know what its like to struggle,” Wilz says.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- Using ideas from the chapter, describe Dan’s and Asher’s styles of leadership.
- How will Asher’s employees, who are used to being able to manage themselves in their own way, respond to Dan’s task-oriented style?
- How will Dan’s employees, who are used to being given clear direction and procedures, respond to Asher’s more relationship-oriented style?
- If you were an employee at Co-Ed Cleaners, whom would you want Mark to let go? Explain your choice.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
- We all have preferences when it comes to work based on task and relationships.
- Our style preferences inform our leadership.
- Understanding your personal styles of work and play can provide a better recognition of your leadership.
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e. SAGE Publishing, 2018.
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The Fundamentals of Leadership
The Fundamentals of Leadership
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The Fundamentals of Leadership
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