Leadership Theories: Path-Goal & Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)

Welcome back! This week in my leadership class, we studied the path-goal theory and the leader-member exchange (LMX) theory of leadership. Both leadership theories relate to the leader - follower relationships with respect to each individual relationship.

Path-Goal Theory

The path-goal theory is about how leaders motivate their followers to accomplish different tasks with the stated goal being to enhance the performance and satisfaction of each follower. This model of leadership is very practical, but, in order for it to work, the leader must be attentive to the followers.

The basic idea behind the path-goal leadership theory is illustrated below:

A key part of motivating followers is to determine what would be rewarding to each follower and make those rewards available to the follower. Leaders also motivate by:

• Defining clear goals, 

• Clarifying the path to take, 

• Removing obstacles, and 

• Providing support. 

Followers will be motivated if:

• They think they are capable of doing the work, 

• They believe their work will be appreciated, and

• That the payoff at the end is worth it.

Four leadership behaviors have been identified with the path-goal theory and how each leader leads their followers.

• The directive leader gives instructions, explains what is expected, how to do the task(s), and when the task should be completed.

• The supportive leader is friendly and supportive to his followers and is concerned about their well-being and needs.

• The participative leader encourages the followers to play an active role in the decision making process.

• The achievement-oriented leader challenges his followers to be the best they can be and to strive toward high goals. This leader has high standards and expects continuous improvement of his followers.

Curious as to what type of path-goal leader you are? Here is a link to a path-goal leadership questionnaire that you can complete: Path-Goal Leadership Questionnaire

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX)

The leader-member exchange theory is interested in the interactions between the leader and the follower. Early studies of this leadership style identified two follower groups based on the interaction of the leader and the follower: the in-group and the out-group. The personality and personal characteristics of the leader and the follower are a significant factor in this relationship.

In the 1990s, additional leader-member exchange studies identified a concept referred to as leadership making. Leadership making is an approach to leadership which emphasizes that leaders should develop high-quality exchanges with all of their followers rather than with just a few. There are three phases in leadership making: 1) the stranger phase, 2) the acquaintance phase, and 3) the mature partnership phase. 

Want to find out what type of leader-member exchange theory leader you are? Here is a link to a questionnaire for you: LMX 7 Questionnaire

I am very interested in hearing from you as to what you thought about the path-goal and the LMX 7 questionnaires. Were your results what you expected? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Have a great week!

Kathy