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Joe Davis Discussion Reply
Path-Goal and Leader-Member Exchange Leadership Theories Analysis and Biblical Application
Path-Goal Theory and Achievement-Oriented Leadership
Achievement-oriented leadership, which falls under the Path-Goal Theory, is centered on the leader challenging the followers to motivate them to rise to the highest level. This theory centers on leaders setting the highest standards of excellence while seeking continued improvement and performance of the team. The leadership style is highlighted by the leader’s confidence in the team’s abilities as they strive to achieve their goal (Northouse, 2022). This approach raises the worker’s success and overall job satisfaction. This is done by setting the conditions where the workers are challenged and supported to do their best. Achievement-oriented leadership pushes the concepts of self-esteem and motivation so that when they are applied correctly, they produce a belief that hard work leads to success (Regent University, 2023).
Research conducted by Saleem et al. (2021) highlights that achievement-oriented leadership improves workers’ overall success and satisfaction by bringing to light an understanding of the connection between success and the overall effort of the employee and or team. This approach points towards the leader who pushes for organizational and member excellence, which can, in a major way, influence the team’s overall job satisfaction and performance.
Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory and In-Group and Out-Group Dynamics
The Leader-Member Exchange Theory looks at the interactions between leaders and followers by placing relationships into in-groups and out-groups. In-group members benefit from higher trust and influence from the leader, increasing job satisfaction and overall employee and/or team performance. On the contrary, out-group members receive less support and are often confined to lower-level roles.
Liden et al. (2020) found that very good LMX relationships are highlighted by a strong level of trust and mutual respect, which leads to high job satisfaction and employee commitment. Poor or troubled LMX relationships are seen to have a decreased level of job satisfaction and an equally high turnover rate, which raises the idea that strong leader-follower relationships can and will boost organizational performance.
Biblical Application of Path-Goal Theory and Achievement-Oriented Leadership
Achievement-Oriented Leadership in the Bible
Nehemiah could be a great example of achievement-oriented leadership in the Bible. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls despite facing significant challenges; Nehemiah set clear goals, motivated the people, and led by example, resulting in the successful completion of the project (Nehemiah 2:17-20). This mirrors the concept Merida (2015) described, which emphasizes leaders inspiring and pushing their followers toward ambitious objectives.
In-Group and Out-Group Dynamics in the Bible
The Leader-Member Exchange Theory’s focus on in-group and out-group dynamics is well-illustrated in the Bible. David’s relationship with his mighty men, as described in 2 Samuel 23:8-39, shows the benefits of high-quality leader-member exchanges. David’s close relationship with his elite warriors, built on trust and loyalty, reflects the positive aspects of in-group dynamics, where these warriors receive special attention and privileges.
On the other hand, the strained relationship between Saul and David, detailed in 1 Samuel 18-19, highlights the negative effects of poor leader-member exchanges. Saul’s mistrust and jealousy toward David placed him in an out-group position, leading to conflict and inefficiency within the kingdom (Merida, 2015).
Conclusion
The Path-Goal Theory’s achievement-oriented leadership and the Leader-Member Exchange Theory’s in-group and out-group dynamics offer valuable insights into effective leadership. Leaders can enhance their followers’ performance and satisfaction by setting clear goals and fostering strong, individualized relationships. Biblical examples, such as Nehemiah, David, and Saul, demonstrate these principles, showing their enduring relevance. Integrating these theories with biblical insights provides a robust framework for understanding and practicing effective leadership in various contexts.
Reference
Liden, R. C., Wayne, S. J., & Stilwell, D. (2020). The relationship between leader-member exchange and employee outcomes: review of past themes and future potential. Management Review Quarterly. Retrievedfrom https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/27984/chapter/211674446Links to an external site.
Merida, T. (2015). Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings. B&H Publishing Group.
Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). Sage Publications.
Regent University. (2023). An Investigation of Path-Goal Theory, Relationship of Leadership Style, Supervisor-Related Commitment, & Gender. Retrieved from Regent University. Retrieved from https://www.regent.edu/journal/emerging-leadership-journeys/investigation-of-path-goal-theory-relationship-of-leadership-style-supervisor-related-commitment-and-genderLinks to an external site.
Saleem, A., Wu, L., Aslam, S., & Zhang, T. (2021). Spotlight on Leadership Path-Goal Theory Silos in Practice to Improve and Sustain Job-Oriented Development: Evidence from Education Sector. Sustainability, 13(21), 12324. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/21/12324inks to an external site.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2019). Crossway. (Nehemiah 2:17-20).
Christi Rapp Discussion Reply
Examining Path-Goal Theory and Leader-Member Exchange Theory
Introduction
Leadership is complex with multiple theories involving various approaches and styles. An examination of two leadership concepts, Path-Goal theory and Leader-Member Exchange theory will be conducted to reveal the relationship of these theories to leadership and their applications. Biblical perspectives from both Exalting Jesus in 1 and 2 Kings and the Bible related to leadership concepts will provide additional insights.
Path-Goal Theory
Path-Goal leadership theory indicates that leaders should engage in one or more styles based on follower characteristics and task characteristics. These characteristics together determine the most effective style or styles to engage in to impact the motivation of followers. There are four (4) leadership styles identified which are directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented behaviors. Directive leadership involves establishing clear expectations and eliminates uncertainty while supportive leadership involves caring for followers’ needs, treating them with dignity and respect, and making work enjoyable. Participative leadership involves engaging followers in the decision-making process by actively soliciting thoughts and opinions and incorporating these into decision making. Achievement-oriented leadership sets high expectations for followers to strive for and displays high confidence in their follower’s ability to achieve these stretch goals.
Awwad and Lafi (2023) conducted a study to examine the impact of path-goal leadership styles and marketing orientation of commercial banks. The study revealed that internal marketing mediates the relationship between path-goal leadership styles of supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented behaviors and market orientation. They describe internal marketing as efforts to motivate employees by prioritizing satisfaction and promoting employees to strengthen relationships and organizational commitment.
Leader-Member Exchange Theory
Leader-member exchange (LMX) theory focuses on the dyadic relationship between leaders and followers which links follower performance to leadership styles. The quality of the relationship in early studies can create in- and out-groups where those followers in the in-group are more involved and in the know (Northouse, 2022, p. 159). LMX identifies three (3) phases of leadership development with the role of emotions lending to a construct of three (3) stages of affective processes and LMX development. Leadership development phases progress over time as the quality of exchanges between leader and follower moves from low to high which impacts how roles are defined and focus shifts from self interest to group interest. The three stages construct which incorporates the impact of emotions are role taking, role making and role routinization. Role taking involves the leader initiating relationships with followers and the importance of their emotions in developing the relationship. Role making involves leader and follower sharing similar emotions and become contagious. Role routinization is the impact of other members emotions on the formed relationship (Northouse, 2022, pp. 162-165). LMX links leadership styles to follower performance through relation-oriented exchanges (Young et al., 2021, p. 1258).
Conclusion
The examination of path-goal theory and leader-member exchange theory reveals different methods for effective leadership. Path-goal theory emphasizes a balanced leadership approach to behaviors that should be deployed based on both the characteristics of the follower and the task while leader-member exchange emphasizes the importance of dyadic relationships between a leader and a follower (Echardt et al., 2021, p. 271). An example of Path-Goal theory directive leadership behavior in the bible is in Luke 11:1-4 where Jesus taught his disciples to pray by giving the Lord’s Prayer (King James Bible, 1769/2024). Additionally, the relationship of Elijah and Elisha shows the pair traversing the three (3) stages of affective process and LMX development. While Elisha initiated the relationship as he dedicated his life to God and service to Elijah, the exchanges between the two grew to Elisha regarding Elijah as a father and Elijah anointing Elisha as a prophet to replace him on his departure from this world (Merida, 2015).
References
Awwad, M. S., & Mohammad Lafi, F. (2023). Leadership style and market orientation: The mediating role of internal marketing. Journal of Relationship Marketing (Binghamton, N.Y.), 22(4), 299-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332667.2023.2205279inks to an external site.
Eckardt, R., Tsai, C., Dionne, S. D., Dunne, D., Spain, S. M., Park, J. W., Cheong, M., Kim, J., Guo, J., Hao, C., & Kim, E. I. (2021). Human capital resource emergence and leadership. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 42(2), 269-295. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2446
King James Bible. (2024). King James Bible Online. https://www.bible.com (Original work published 1769)
Merida, T. (2015). Exalting Jesus in 1 & 2 Kings (D. Platt & D. L. Akin, Eds.). B & H Publishing Group.
Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership : theory and practice (Ninth edition.). SAGE
Young, H. R., Glerum, D. R., Joseph, D. L., & McCord, M. A. (2021). A meta-analysis of transactional leadership and follower performance: Double-edged effects of LMX and empowerment. Journal of Management, 47(5), 1255-1280. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206320908646
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