Subject: Organizational Behavior
Introduction (205 words)
Path Goal Theory is a theory proposed by Martin Evans and Robert House, which is then developed by Robert House himself which suggests how leaders of any organization can be effective towards their subordinates in order to achieve organizational goals. This theory was first introduced in 1971 which was created based on Victor Vroom’s ‘Expectancy Theory of Motivation’. The name ‘Path-Goal’ itself shows that the leader should clarify their follower’s performance and remove any obstacle which comes between them and their goals. It is best when the leader focuses on each of the follower’s individual goals and helps them to improve their positive behavior towards achieving the organizational goal as a whole. Path Goal theory states that successful leaders are the ones who can adjust their styles of leadership according to the situation which the company is undergoing. It means that a leader have to observe and diagnose the situations that acts either as an opportunity or threat towards the achievement of the organizational goal and then either strengthen the opportunity or eliminating the weaknesses by maximizing the performance of each subordinates. Robert House’s path goal theory had identified four leadership styles namely: directive leadership, supportive leadership, participative leadership and achievement-oriented leadership.
Literature Review
Refer to Appendix 1 (542 words)
Reference: Organizational Behavior: leading and managing in Australia and New Zealand- 2nd Edition
Title: Clearing the path to the goal.
Author: Stephen P. Robbins; Bruce Millett; Ron Cacioppe; Terry Waters-Marsh
Path Goal Theory is motivational in such a way that the leader guides, support and makes the followers become dependent and need satisfaction contingent on effective performance. Effective leaders are those who