Over time, a number of theories of leadership have been proposed. Here are some of the main ideas.
Great Man Theory
Trait Theory
Behavioral Theories o Role Theory o The Managerial Grid
Participative Leadership o Lewin's leadership styles o Likert's leadership styles
Situational Leadership o Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership o Vroom and Yetton's Normative Model o House's Path-Goal Theory of Leadership
Contingency Theories o Fiedler's Least Preferred Co-worker (LPC) Theory o Cognitive Resource Theory o Strategic Contingencies Theory
Transactional Leadership o Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
Transformational Leadership o Bass' Transformational Leadership Theory o Burns' Transformational Leadership Theory o Kouzes and Posner's Leadership Participation Inventory
See also
Motivation theories, Theories about power
Leadership styles Disciplines > Leadership > Styles There are a number of different approaches, or 'styles' to leadership and management that are based on different assumptions and theories. The style that individuals use will be based on a combination of their beliefs, values and preferences, as well as the organizational culture and norms which will encourage some styles and discourage others.