Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : It is possible for almost everyone to become a leader if circumstances allow him/her to perform functions dictated by the situation. Reason (R) : The qualities, characteristics and skill required in a leader are determined to a large extent by the demands of the situation in which he/she is to function as a leader. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Both are correct, and the reason explains the assertion — option 1. The two statements together are the situational theory of leadership.
The logic of the pair. R states the theory’s premise: the qualities a leader needs are set by the situation, not fixed for all time. A follows directly from it — if the requirements vary with the circumstances, then almost anyone may find circumstances whose demands match what he can do, and in those circumstances he can lead. The move from premise to conclusion is exact, so R is the correct explanation of A.
The contrast with trait theory.
| Trait (“great man”) theory | Situational theory | |
|---|---|---|
| Core claim | Leaders are born with certain qualities — intelligence, initiative, self-assurance, drive | Leadership is a function of the situation — the task, the followers, the organisation, the moment |
| Who can lead ? | Only those possessing the traits | Almost anyone, given the right circumstances |
| Difficulty | No list of traits has ever predicted leadership reliably; leaders in different fields share little | Risks understating that some individuals lead well across many situations |
Where the theory leads. The situational insight generated the whole family of contingency theories :
| Theory | What it says the right style depends on |
|---|---|
| Fiedler’s contingency model | Leader-member relations, task structure and position power together decide whether a task-oriented or relationship-oriented leader performs better |
| Hersey and Blanchard | The readiness of the follower — telling, selling, participating, delegating |
| House’s path-goal theory | The leader clears the path to the goal; directive, supportive, participative or achievement-oriented style as the situation requires |
| Vroom-Yetton | How much participation the decision itself warrants |
The practical implication is the important one: if leadership is situational, it can be developed rather than merely selected for. Organisations can train people, rotate them through varied assignments, and match individuals to the situations that suit them — which is the basis of modern leadership-development practice.
Hence, the answer is option 1.
Similar Questions
Low nurturing and low regulating leader behaviour is called :
Match List - I with List - II.
List - I
(Leadership Style)List - II
(Maturity level of Subordinates)A. Telling I. Moderate to high B. Selling II. High C. Participating III. Low D. Delegating IV. Low to moderate Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Match the following and select the code of correct matching :
List - I List - II (a) Motivating through rewards and penalties (i) Charismatic leadership (b) Changing organisation by creating and communicating a vision (ii) Situational leadership (c) Influencing by dint of personality and charm (iii) Transactional leadership (d) Modifying style with respect to readiness of followers (iv) Transformational leadership Code :
The __________ proposes that the effective group performance depends on the proper match between the leader’s style and the degree to which the situation gives the leader control.
In Reddin's 'Tridimensional Grid', which one of the following is a less effective style of leadership?
The __________ proposes that the effective group performance depends on the proper match between the leader's style and the degree to which the situation gives control to the leader.
The __________ leadership theory of __________ describes that effective group performance depends on the proper match between the leader's style of interacting with his subordinates and the degree to which the situation gives control and influence to the leader.
Which of the following is a correct match?
Which one is the correct combination?
List - I consists of Motivation theories and List - II consists of the Motivation theorists. You have to match them and indicate the correct match as per code:
List - I
a. Two-factor theory
b. ERG theory
c. Theory X and Theory Y
d. Need theory
List - II
i. David McClelland
ii. Fredrick Herzberg
iii. Douglas McGregor
iv. Clayton Alderfer
Important Questions from Motivation and leadership: Concept and theories
Which among the following is not a characteristic of transactional leaders?
Match List-I with List-II:
List-I
(Objectives of business firms)
List-II
(Hypothesis)
a) Maximization of firms' growth rate i) Baumol's hypothesis b) Managerial utility function ii) Marris hypothesis c) Satisfying behaviour iii) Williamson hypothesis d) Sales Maximization iv) Cyert-March hypothesis Choose the correct option from those given below:
Miller-Orr model is used in the management of
Promoting team spirit, harmony and unity within the organization is the principle of
'Motivation-force or level of efforts is not equal to satisfaction and performance' is propounded by
