Leadership

1

Organizational Behavior Management and Leadership Theory Matrix

Theory: Contingency Theory

Primary

Characteristics.

Focuses on the match between the leader’s style and specific

situational variables (Northouse, 2015, p.2)

Unique assumptions

or

Features.

Task Motivated or Relationship Motivated

Strengths.

• Caring for peer’s feelings so that it produces great work

relationships;

• Being motivated to complete specific tasks that they have particular

interest in; and

• Organizational structure in regards to task completion

Weaknesses.

• Non-motivated in specific task/goals which can lead to disruption of

the organization’s purpose;

• Great relationships being a leniency when it comes to assigned work;

and

• Not expecting leaders to be equally effective.

Where applicable

(public sector or

public administration

application if

possible).

Program managers within Harlem Children’s Zone.

Questions or

concerns..

Will all tasks have the same effort put into them if the leader is only

moved based of specific task motivation?

Personal Experience

(if none state “No,”

or “None”).

Harlem Children’s Zone is filled with many goals but some goals are

more important than others. Example: Working here, I service the

academic career of college students. Recently, a scholarship

opportunity became available but only those that were awarded

received notice. Those that were denied did not receive notice. When

asked about students denied being informed, it was said not to be the

priority.

Results of your

experience (+ -).

Can have positive experience if deemed beneficial.

Theory: Systems Theory

Primary

Characteristics.

Like a logic model, inputs determine the outputs. “General system

theory focuses on the relationships between elements of a system and

the system and its environment (Conradie, 2013).

Unique assumptions

and

Features.

One input can or cannot affect the output. “Under this formulation, it

is critical to establish and maintain reliable and valid measures of

results” (Milakovich & Gordon, 2013).

Strengths.

Able to get an overview of what they would like to achieve.

Weaknesses.

Consistent changes in inputs if an outcome isn’t what was expected to

be.

2

Where applicable

(public sector and

public administration

application if

possible).

Harlem Children’s Zone can set out a systematic approach for their

goals. But if inputs are being implemented with notice that outputs

will not be what is expected, the organization can change the input in

mid-process.

Questions or

concerns..

How big will the impact or goal be if inputs keep changing? If

changing the input during the process still produces a low output, is it

still beneficial to go back to the initial input?

Personal Experience

(if none state “No,”

or “None”).

Specific programs follow a systems theory to achieve goals within.

The College Success Office goes through different inputs to gain

specific results. When trying to communicate with students that may

be hard to reach, different inputs or options are made to achieve the

connection between employer and student.

Results of your

experience (+ -).

Positive

Theory: Management by Objectives (MOB)

Primary

Characteristics.

Requires managers to set specific objectives to be achieved in the

future and encourages questions on what more can be done (Thomson,

1998).

Unique assumptions

and

Features.

With the process of the MBO, it can give the manager tools they may

need to best utilize the organization.

Strengths.

 Employees are able to feel that their duty is being recognized

and beneficial to the organization

 Control and Coordination of goal accomplishment

 Seeing strengths and weaknesses and management being able to help or support the development to better succeed in the

agency (Thomson, 1998)

Weaknesses.

MBO calls for dialogue between leader and employer but can lead to

Theory X Assumption 2: People need to be direct and controlled. With

this assumption, it puts pressure into completing goals.

Where applicable

(public sector and

public administration

application if

possible).

Harlem Children’s Zone programs.

Questions or

concerns..

If pressure is utilized on employers to get goals done, will employers

feel that their efforts are feasible enough to still be encouraged for

future goals?

Personal Experience

(if none state “No,”

or “None”).

Programs initiate leaders to communicate with their employers for

feedback and push those that are showing strength to move forward

with growth opportunities.

Results of your

experience (+ -).

Positive when MOB is used correctly.

3

Theory: Theory X

Primary

Characteristics.

People need incentives or repercussions to do their job.

Unique assumptions

and

Features.

• People do not like work

• People need direction and control

• People do not want responsibility

(Northouse, 2015, pg.84-85)

Strengths.

This theory offers creativity when leaders think of incentives for their

workers.

Weaknesses.

 Work will only get done when told what to do.

 Avoidance of doing work

 Management set up incentives encourage people to get work done

 Unmotivated

Where applicable

(public sector and

public administration

application if

possible).

Harlem Children’s Zone does utilize this theory specifically the

students.

Questions or

concerns.

Can students benefit from Harlem Children’s Zone programs without

incentives?

How much money is the agency losing to consistently give incentives?

Personal Experience

(if none state “No,”

or “None”).

Students apart of the agency rely on incentives (small stipends) based

on the grades they receive at school. Students work harder to get

better grades to receive incentive. With no incentive, grades wouldn’t

be as prominent.

Results of your

experience (+ -).

Positive for students.

Negative for program managers to gain results.

Theory: Theory Y

Primary

Characteristics.

People naturally want to work and many leaders use this perspective

today. (Northouse, 2015 pg 86-88)

Unique assumptions

and

Features.

 Doing work is as natural as play

 Responsible and self- motivated to complete goals

Strengths.

 Motivated

 Responsible

 Committed

Weaknesses.

Not all employees can be self-motivated or have time management

skills to get work done.

.

Where applicable

(public sector and

public administration

Evident when impacting goals are achieved in the agency.

4

application if

possible).

Questions or

concerns.

How many of Harlem Children’s Zone employers are actually happy

doing their job?

Personal Experience

(if none state “No,”

or “None”).

Employees are able to get through tasks on their own. Employees

show responsibility along with compassion when dealing with

students.

Results of your

experience (+ -).

Positive for employees

Negative for employees not motivated