Contingency Theories

Called contingency theories because these theories say that the efficiency of a performance depends on the condition you are in, these are the theories most manager find most useful in the workplace. Five main theory here include: Fiedler's model, Hershey and Blanchard's situational theory, leader- member exchange theory, path-goal theory, and the leader- participation  model. In all these models the effectiveness of various leadership styles depends on characteristics of the followers (their maturity, for example) as well as the circumstances. The key lesson is that the most effectual leaders are able to "flex" their leadership style to match the group and the condition.

Any discussion of leadership would not be complete without looking at "substitutes for leadership."  In some situations, certain factors define the requirements so clearly that leader- ship becomes superfluous. For example, professional relations often act as substitute by providing universally customary codes of conduct and values of appearance.