1. By
Ingrid Curtis
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
N5311 Nursing Management in the Health
Care Environment
Sharon Judkins PhD, RN, NEA-BC
October 18, 2012

2. Behavioral theories of leadership are based upon the belief that great
leaders are made, not born. (Cherry 2010). This leadership theory
focuses on the actions of leaders. According to this theory, people
can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation.
The 'behavioral ideals' approach argues that if a leader is to be
effective, he or she should practice a certain ideal behavioral style.
The Behavioral theory assumes that you can learn to become a good
leader because you are not drawing on personality traits. Your
actions—what you do—define your leadership ability.
STARS ARE CREATED, NOT BORN!

3. Tools that are used to assess the leader's style,
and most commonly used, are the LBDQ
(Leader Behavior Description Questionnaire),
(Stogdill, 1974) and the Leadership Grid (Blake
& McCanse, 1991). These tools are designed to
be completed by the observers or the
employees.
 The leaders themselves complete the LOQ
(Leader Opinion Questionnaire).

4.  Strengths:  Weaknesses:
 The 'ideal' approach may not
 It makes sense for suit all circumstances.
leaders to balance  Many leaders' behavioral
concern for the task patterns are restricted by
with concern for people hidden limiting beliefs that
persist despite training.
in most circumstances.  Ignores leadership presence.
 Training in the ideal  Behavioral questionnaires
style should be possible often introduce several types
of error, such as response
in theory. bias and measurement bias.
(Yukl, 1998)

5. It is not a refined theory that has organized sets of prescriptions
for effective leadership. It provides a framework for assessing
effective leadership. It works by describing to leaders the major
components of their behavior and NOT by telling them how to
behave.
It reminds leaders that their actions towards others are both at
the task and relationship levels.
In some situations task behavior is more appropriate, in others
relationship is more suitable.
Similarly, some subordinates need leaders who provide a lot
of direction. Others need a lot of support and nurturance.

6. The behavioral approach can be easily applied in
organizations. It provides a mirror for managers that helps
them understand, how they are performing as a manager.
This theory will help you focus on how you behave today and the dominant leadership
style you adopt.
You will be able to identify differences in your leadership style and approach to more
effective combinations that balance and combine a focus on people and production.

7. I would recommend the use of this theory for the
purpose to explain how leaders can combine these two
kinds of behaviors to influence their employees to reach
a goal.
Task behavior: Facilitates goal accomplishment.
Relationship behavior: Help subordinates feel
comfortable with themselves, with others and with
the situation.

8. Blake and McCanse Leadership Grid: Improve your
leadership style and leadership skills. Retrieved on Oct 15,
2012, from: http://www.iwise2.com/blake-mouton-mccanse-
leadership-grid
Cherry, K. 2010, Leadership Theories-8 Major Leadership
Theories, online, retrieved 17October 2012, from :
http://psychology.about.com/od/leadership/p/leadtheories.h
tm
Stogdill, R. M. (1974). Handbook of leadership. New York: Free
Press.
Yukl, G. (1998), Journal of Management: Managerial Leadership,
A Review of Theory and Research, June 1989, Vol. 15, no. 2, pgs
251-289. doi: 10.1177/014920638901500207