Understanding Theory

Classifying leaders in today’s workplace is no easy tasks, because effective leaders are always evolving and developing. Certain characteristics can be classified in different leadership theories. Aside from employee engagement surveys and performance reviews, leaders can also develop their leadership style by the many situations leaders face on a daily basis.

One behavioral theory can classify leaders through different dimensions; how they treat people versus how well they perform. A leader can have a high concern for their people but be low task-orientated. It can also be said that a leader can have high task-oriented performance but can have low people orientation. Ideally, a leader would have a high task dimension and high people dimension but Contingency Theory says otherwise.

Theory X refers to managers that think their workers lack motivation and ambition, cannot be left alone or everything will go wrong, and dislike work. Managers like this, to me, always seem to be walking on eggshells and are always micro managing, which can produce a stressful work environment. Theory Y leaders assume that workers like work, seek responsibility, are capable of making decisions, and are self-motivators. Theory Y Leaders create a fun and creative work environment and foster employees that can be proud of their work.

One television show, Superstore on NBC takes place in what can be considered a fictional Wal-Mart. Glen the manager can be described as a high person dimension leader but a low task oriented. Some people might see this as an issue, but Glen has an assistant manager that is the complete opposite which is a great compliment to Glen. Superstore also features a Key-Holder, Amy, who is a Theory X manager. However, not one of these managers just fits one theory, since different behaviors can be more prominent in certain situations.