Path-goal Theory

By Febé Janse van Rensburg

Drexel University

NURS-557-900

Path-goal Theory

– Developed by Robert J. House and T.R. Mitchell (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16)

– A Path-goal breakdown;

1. Path-goal theory centers on how leaders motivate subordinates to undertake designated goals.

2. The kinds of behaviors leaders can engage in to motivate followers.

What is it about?

• Leaders deliberately consider different courses of action and assess the likelihood that each course of action will yield desired as well as unwanted results.

• After thinking of using the alternative action, followers should act in a manner that will result in positive outcomes while at the same time minimizing the negative.

• Using this concept of motivational behavior the theory suggests that a successful leader leads followers’ to behave in a certain way by altering their view of the relationship between actions and results. In other words the followers will believe that their actions will yield positive results for them.

• The leader must use a style that is best for the followers motivational needs (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

THE INFLUENCE OF PATH-GOAL THEORY

– It is influential in the creation of new outlooks in the leadership field. The substitutes for leadership theory is one of them.

– The evidence for substitutes theory is varied, it is extensively cited and has an widespread following.

– Another academic result of path-goal management theory is the theory of charismatic leadership, by House.

– The Path-goal theory well-defined the gap that charismatic theory filled.

– The theory of charismatic leadership continues to play a major role in leadership today (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

Four distinct types of behavior

– Command leadership: Leader who gives subordinates task instruction including: What is expected, how to get the task done, a timeline for task conclusion.

– Caring Leadership: makes the milieu a gratifying place and is concerned for the individual happiness of the followers.

– Participative Leadership: bearing in mind followers’ input and respecting their views when making decisions that touch them. Followers participate in the decision making process.

– Goal-Focused Leadership: Leader who motivates followers to seek excellence in all they do. Improving follower performance in an almost inspiring way (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

PRO’S

– Makes it easier to understand what the relationship is between leader motivation and follower gratification in relation to work performance.

– One of the rare theories that discuss and explains motivation and incentive.

– Establish a clear path and how to reach the desired destination(Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

CON’S

– This theory is supported only in part by evidenced based research.

– It doesn’t clearly define the relationship between the follower and the leader.

– All of the responsibility weighs heavily on the leaders shouders (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

How applicable is the theory to leadership in health care environments?

– It is a very applicable theory. The leader needs to do the following to enable this leadership theory in practice;

– Explain goals to the followers( nurses).

– Simplifies paths to be taken to reaching these goals.

– Remove all hurdles.

– Provide support (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

References

House, R. J. (1971). A path-goal theory of leadership effectiveness. Administrative Science

Quarterly, 16, 321–338.

House, R. J. (1976). A 1976 theory of charismatic leadership. In J. G. Hunt & L. L. Larson

(Eds.), Leadership: The cutting edge (pp. 189–207). Carbondale: Southern Illinois

University Press.

House, R. J. (1996). Path-goal theory of leadership: Lessons, legacy, and a reformulated theory.

Leadership Quarterly, 7(3), 323–352.

House, R. J., & Mitchell, T. R. (1974). Path-goal theory of leadership. Journal of Contemporary

Business, 3, 81–97.

House, R. J., & Mitchell, T. R. (1975). Path-goal theory of leadership. In K. N. Wexley & G. A.

Yukl (Eds.), Organizational behavior and industrial psychology (pp. 177–186). New

York: Oxford University Press

Knight, A., Shteynberg, G., & Hanges, P. (2011, February 16). PATH-GOAL ANALYSIS.

Retrieved April 9, 2015, from

http://www.sagepub.com/northouseintro2e/study/chapter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia10.1.

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Intellectual Honesty Certification  

I certify that this assignment is presented as entirely my own intellectual work. Any words and/or ideas from other sources (e.g. printed publications, Internet sites, electronic media, other individuals, groups, or organizations) have been properly indicated using the appropriate scholarly citation style required by the department or College.  

I have not submitted this assignment in its entirety to satisfy the requirements of any other course. Any parts of this assignment from other courses have been discussed thoroughly with the faculty member before this submission so that there is an understanding that I have used some of this work in a prior assignment. 

Student’s Signature: Febe Janse van RensburgCourse Submitted: NURS 557-900

Term: SpringDate: 04/09/2015