Effective leadership – Research…. Sat 25th oct 08. ;-)
As leadership is defined in terms of action, behaviour and behavioural pattern we may tap a considerable amount of leadership theories and research. Some theories like the leadership style theories describe managerial behaviour in more general terms. Other theories have focused on specific aspects of leadership behaviour such as conflict style, motivation based approaches and decision-making behaviour. Leadership research contains a number of theories concerning managers’ behaviour in terms of innovation, creativity and intuition. This paper concerns problem-solving and decision-making behaviour of managers.
Schermerhorn (1993, p. 152) describes a typical approach to managerial problem solving by isolating six steps in the process:
1. (1) find and define the problem;
2. (2) generate alternative solutions;
3. (3) evaluate alternatives and select solution;
4. (4) conduct ethics double-check;
5. (5) implement the solutions; and
6. (6) evaluate results.
Problem solving has to do with all six steps while only the first four concern decision making. To select a solution, that is, to choose, is not an action. Choice is cognitive.
The focus here is on differences between managers in terms of decision making. One of the better-known contributions is Carl Gustav Jung’s typology as applied to the field of management. The main point is to highlight the individual differences that are found between managers, and investigate the consequences of these differences. Jung’s work Psychological Types (1921/1971) has become one of his best-known (Wilson, 1989, p. 96). Quinn and Hall (1983, p. 282) have used Jung’s typology as ...