The Trait Approach to leadership states that a good leader is born not made, i.e., if one could list the characteristics of a successful leader, we could use this list to identify those who should be placed in leadership roles.
However, the more modern viewpoint, the Situational Approach to leadership, states that each leadership situation is different and warrants a specific mix of leaders, followers and therefore leadership situations.
A leadership style is defined as the type of behavior displayed by a leader as he/she runs the organization. Each leadership style is based on a combination of the two main types of behavior observed in leaders as evidenced by the OSU studies: Structured behavior and consideration behavior.
Structured behavior is one that clearly outlines the leader-follower relationship and so establishes clear procedures to be followed as employees do their job. Conversely, consideration behavior shows a friendship, mutual trust, respect and warmth between leader and followers.
As defined by the OSU studies, the leadership styles are categorized as: 1) low structure–high consideration; 2) high structure–high consideration; 3) low structure– low consideration; and 4) high structure–low consideration.
In my current position, my direct manager displays a “high structure–high consideration” leadership style. Even though she has established very clear procedures for day-to-day job performance, she also clearly goes out of her way to maintain good individual relationships with each member of the team. She treats us with respect and is a