Theories of Workplace Leadership

Trait, behavioral and contingency theories.

Leadership in organizational psychology is defined as the ability to persuade a follower to make a commitment to group goals and work hard toward their achievement.

Over time, various theories have attempted to explain the origin of this ability.

Trait theory is based on the premise that effective leaders possess specific characteristics, either innate or learned.

In this view, leaders are born with certain constant personality attributes, although later views admit that these traits can be honed through experience.

On the other hand, behavioral theory holds that the determining factor is not who the leader is, but what he or she does; that is, it focuses on his or her direct behaviors and actions to determine his or her effectiveness.

Finally, contingency theory proposes a more complex model, where leadership effectiveness arises from the exact combination of the leader's personal characteristics and the specific variables of the environment or situation.

This perspective suggests that it is more viable to adapt the situation to the leader or to enhance aspects of his or her personality that fit the current context to ensure the team's success.

Transformational vs. Transactional Leadership

Modern leadership is torn between two fundamental interaction models. Transformational leadership is based on a deep social contract between the leader and his collaborators, where charisma and inspiration play a central role.

This type of leader uses his or her personal magnetism and emotional appeal to motivate followers to achieve goals that often transcend individual interests, seeking a real transformation in the team's vision.

In contrast, the transactional approach is based on the exchange of rewards for specific behaviors; the collaborator fulfills his or her tasks under the promise of receiving direct benefits, maintaining the current structure of the organization.

Charismatic leaders, often linked to the transformational model, have a clear vision that they share with enthusiasm, excel in communication skills and are able to generate feelings of competence and unlimited trust among group members, raising the energy of the work envi