It is a framework that used to deliver basics of studying, interpreting, researching and knowledge relevant to leadership. The variation in leadership classification has led to the constant change in paradigms from over past 60 years. The paradigms of leadership set out the rational design for the creation of an approach to analyzing the ideas and approaches through leadership experience. It explores characteristics features that make the framework distinctive, identification of a particular concept in different situation and understanding of the situation with the paradigm, and finally the establishment of the ideology along with practice in the real world.
Paradigms of Leadership
1. Trait theory paradigm
This paradigm focuses on the leaders. Leadership based on the leaders in early times. It highlights the characteristics of effective leaders from ineffective. This theory identifies the traits of leadership such as appearance, aggressiveness, persuasiveness, and dominance that a successful leader should have in his personality for effective leadership. Around 100 leadership traits identified in person during 1930-1940s but no one person has all qualities, the above traits would act as a prerequisite for a person to promote on a leadership position.
2. Behavioral trait leadership paradigm
This paradigm of leadership focus on nature and complexity of the task that a leader has. The behavior of a person is a key to understanding and knowledge of the leadership. The behavior of the person tells about the capacity of the person whether he can stand as a leader or not. The parameters measured managerialism and mechanic task exercise. The person assessed is given the position of leader.
3. Contingency Leadership paradigm
This paradigm highlights the leadership styles in relevance to nature of the situation. It is a theory that acts as a universal approach for the effective leadership style adopted by the leaders, followers in all given situations. The parameters for assessment are the situational factors such as work nature, followers, and the external environment.
4. Integrative leadership paradigm
This framework combines all the previous leadership paradigms. It focusses on the sustainability and development of the leadership of leaders and their impact on the followers. It is a process that explores the effect of similar behavior of the leader that ends in different effects on the followers. It also asserts the importance of participation by the managerial unit rather than a restrictive approach to the management of leadership.
This approach is modern and shifts the focus on the sustainability and development of the organization mediated by the active managers and leaders that runs the system.
There has been a shift from strict management to the transformative leadership management. Managers work only on doing things right, but the leaders work on the universal approach to bring change and innovation in the organization. The new paradigm of leadership demands the participative approach from leaders and sets the participative leadership style as a universal style for all leaders. It replaced the old and conventional autocratic style of leadership management. The new transformational paradigm puts the need for integration between managers and leaders for a participative vision for effective and successful leadership. Managers and leaders both are necessary for the excellent and practical direction.
References
1. A paradigm for leadership. https://www.mheducation.co.uk. https://www.mheducation.co.uk/openup/chapters/9780335246243.pdf.
2. Lussier RN, Achua CF. Leadership, Theory, Application and Skill Development. 5th ed. USA: Erin Joyner; 2013. Pages 19-21
