PATH GOAL THEORY

 Path Goal theory is about how leaders motivate subordinates to accomplish designated
goals
 The stated goal of leadership is to enhance employee performance and employee
satisfaction by focusing on employee motivation
 Emphasizes the relationship between the leader’s style and characteristics of the
subordinates and the work setting
 The leader must use a style that best meets the subordinates motivational needs
 leader complements his employees and compensates for their shortcomings.
 provides ways for leaders to encourage and support their employees in achieving their
goals. That also includes rewards.
MOTIVATION:
 Motivation is an important component in leadership and plays a significant role in the
Path-Goal Theory of Leadership. leaders can increase motivation by rewarding their
employees.
 provide focus for their employees by coaching them and keeping them on the right track.
FLEXIBILITY
 leaders are flexible and can adapt their leadership style to the situation. This is influenced
by the environment, the work and the characteristics of the employees. Employees’ level
of experience, ability to work independently and motivation also play a role. It’s up to the
leader to adopt a stronger or better approach. When clarifying the path that leads to the
final goal, leaders can choose to provide clear guidelines or stick to vague hints and let
the rest depend on the employee. In case of hurdles that lead to stagnation, they can offer
employees a helping hand.

Leadership style:
Directive Leadership
In this leadership style, the leader knows exactly what must be done, how tasks must be
performed and what the deadline is. This means that he provides his employees with clear
guidelines with regard to the processes and tells them what’s expected of them and how best to
carry out their tasks. The employees get close supervision. Therefore, this management style is
more suited for very inexperienced employees who need guidance and to be checked on
regularly
For role ambiguity
 Some suggest increasing incentives and
 strengthening reward contingencies as two
 mechanisms of directive leadership for the valence
 and instrumentality components
Supportive Leadership
  Refers to being friendly, approachable, and supportive
 as a leader and includes:
 Attending to well-being & human needs of
 subordinates’;
 Using supportive behavior (cognitive and affective) to
 make work environment pleasant and more tolerant;
 Increase self-confidence and lower anxiety.
Participative Leadership
 Leader who invites subordinates to share in the
 decision-making
 A participative leader:
 Consults with subordinates
 Seeks their ideas & opinions
 Integrates their input into group/organizational
 Decisions
Achievement Oriented Leadership
 the leader sets challenging goals. He expects achievements on the highest level from his
employees and trusts their ability to handle this. He forces them to display excellent work
achievements and constant improvement and has the utmost confidence in the abilities of
his employees. Employees who are able to work fully independently and have problem-
solving capacities are suitable for this management style.

Overcoming obstacles is a special focus of path-goal theory. If an obstacle becomes too strong,
then the leader needs to step in and help the employee select a path to work around it. Some of
the more difficult task characteristics that often arise are:
 Design of the task - The design of the task might call for the leader's support. For
example, if the task is ambiguous, then the leader might have to give it more structure or
an extremely difficult task might call for leader support.
 Formal authority system - Depending upon the task authority, the leader can provide clear
goals and/or give the employee some or all control.
 Work group - If the team is non-supportive, then the leader needs to be cohesiveness and
espouse esprit-de-corps that provides comradeship, enthusiasm, and devotion to all team
members.

References:
 Path-Goal Theory of Leadership: A Powerful Leadership Tool. (2018, April 16). Retrieved August 21, 2019,
from https://www.toolshero.com/leadership/path-goal-theory-leadership/
 Northouse, P.G. (2007) Leadership Theory and Practice. Sage Publications, Inc. Thousand Oaks, CA.