week 2 db 820

Selecting Your Theorist - Updated at 8:00 am on 5/16/2022

Greetings,

The updated list of theorist assignments is as follows: 

1. Argyris, Chris, and Organizational Learning Theory (Tonya McClure)

2. Bass, Bernard, and Transformational Leadership (Daniel York)

3. Bennis, Warren, and Authentic Leadership (Denecia Anderson)

4. Blake, Robert and Jane Mouton, and the Managerial Grid

5. Drucker, Peter F., and Organizational Management (Mark Buku)

6. Fayol, Henry, and Principles of Management (Alex Miranda)

7. Fiedler, Fred E., and Contingency Theory (Daniel Tebo)

8. Gilbreth, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth, and Efficiency Management Theory (Jeffrey Rees)

9. House, Robert J., and Path-Goal Theory (Teaera Raines)

10. Greenleaf, Robert and Servant Leadership (Not Available)

11. Katz, Daniel L., and Skills Theory

12. Mayo, Elton, and Human Relations Theory (Stephanie Attanasio)

13. McGregor, Douglas and Theory X and Theory Y (Not Available)

14. Mintzberg, Henry, and Organizational Structure (Edmond Walker)

15. Hersey, Paul and Blanchard, Ken, and Situational Leadership (Bethney Silkes)

16. Simon, Herbert Alexander, and Systems Theory

17. Taylor, Frederick Winslow, and Scientific Management

18. Weber, Max, and Bureaucratic Management Theory (Miriam Midzi) NOTE: Replies for this week involve sharing resources and websites with two fellow students.

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for making your selections. Dr. Bredfeldt

Read Less / Go to Announcement

May 16, 2022 at 7:00am Gary Bredfeldt

Week #2 Announcement

Dear CLED 820 Leaders,

Anyone looking for an example of leadership in Scripture would have to agree that the Old Testament highlights several characters worth studying. David would be near the top of my list. He is referred to in the Bible as "a man after God's own heart" in 1 Sam. 13:14. 

As leaders ourselves, it would seem essential to understanding what is meant by that phrase, "a man after God's own heart,"  and comprehend what it takes to get there. Chuck Swindoll, in his book entitled "David," highlights four basic characteristics that separate David's leadership from that of Saul:

1. Humility: What did David do immediately after being anointed the next king of Israel? He went right back to shepherding his flock of sheep. There was no pretense, no ego here. 

2. Reverence: In Psalm 18:3, David says, "I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." David knows it is God, not himself, that is the solution to difficulties.

3. Respectfulness: 31:9 says, "Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow …." David knows who is really in charge and willingly submits himself to God's care.

4. Trusting: 27:1 is a declaration of David's faith, "The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold …."

This week, the unifying theme in our reading, videos, and discussions is one of "control." When viewed from this perspective, management and leadership involve the control of people and processes to create predictable products. Both people and processes must be managed, and those who lead must possess certain traits, qualities, and skills appropriate to their management level. Little empowerment of workers or followers is encouraged in these theories. Instead, control theories rely heavily on the manager controlling the follower's actions. These theories grant less freedom to the follower as policies and procedures are the means to maintain the quality of the final product or results.

This model tends to hold prominence in large organizations, at least in practice, if not always in words. In other words, there may be employee discussions about empowering followers, but often that is more for motivational purposes than a practical reality. Organizational complexity dictates a more hierarchical structure, and with that structure, there often comes a command and control approach. When empowerment does occur, it is generally at the top of the organization or in smaller, team-based units initiated by leaders who believe in a team and individual empowerment approach.

Organizations that embrace a control approach see leaders and managers as those who possess the traits, skills, and credibility to direct the organizational future. Power is concentrated in a few persons who, by birth or by development, have these essential qualities.

Before deciding whether or not this model is appropriate, keep in mind that it is the product of the industrial revolution and is practiced in most moderate to large organizations. Have you been a part of this "classical" approach? This week, consider the strength and weaknesses of these theories and their alignment or misalignment with biblical principles.

Be sure to participate early in the discussion and get rolling on your theorist paper. I am excited to see how our discussion materializes this week. if you have any questions about what is expected this week, please do not hesitate to contact me via the InBox feature  

See you online, Dr. Bredfeldt