Are there substitutes for leadership and can you think of three or more?

Billy Wood

Leadership and Ethical Decision Making

Spring 2011

Discussion Question 3





Are there substitutes for leadership and can you think of three or more?

There are several substitutes to traditional theories of leadership. Some of these include; mentor-ship, self leadership, and inactive leadership. The website Business Dictionary defines leadership substitutions as “ factors in a work-setting that encourage common efforts toward achieving organizational goals, and can take the place of active leadership” (Dictionary.com, 2010). These non traditional styles focus on the abilities and willingness of the followers. Steven Kerr and John Jermier developed a theory in which leadership, in the traditional way of thinking, is not needed (Gordon, 1994) . They suggest three situations that can substitute for traditional leadership: the characteristics of subordinates, the characteristics of the task, and the characteristics of the organization.

The characteristic of the subordinates (followers) is a substitution in which group members can work well without leadership. Subordinate traits must include the ability and experience to complete the goals or tasks with little or no supervision. The followers must also have a strong sense of independence.

The task characteristics substitution includes: routineness, availability of feedback, and intrinsic satisfaction/rewards (Gordon, 1994). If the task is rather routine then unneeded leader intervention will decrease moral and motivation. In this type of situation the task itself should provide adequate feedback. Support from the leader is usually unwanted or unneeded in this situation. Intrinsic rewards will come from the sense of accomplishment.

Finally, the characteristics of the organization substitution include: formalization, group cohesion, inflexibility, and a rigid reward structure. Groups must be formal, be able to work well together, and be firm. My wife is a part of a situation that meets the criteria for substitution of traditional leadership. She is part of a team (group) working on a long term data management project. The group was established formally, there is a “hands off approach” from management, and the reward is the possibility of more responsibility (with a pay raise) on future projects.

I also discovered another type of substitute for leadership that may be effective. This type involves the educational system. Author Thomas J. Sergiovanni believes that a well organized community could take the place of the teacher as the primary leader in the classroom (Sergiovanni, 1992). This community approach to leadership sees each individual school as a small community. In this community approach, everyone works together for the common good. This is accomplished by sharing ideas, duties, values, and obligations.

William M. Wood Jr.
Bibliography

Dictionary.com, B. (2010, 0 0). Substitutes for leadership. Retrieved 1 29, 2011, from Business Dictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/substitutes-for-leadership.html

Gordon, R. F. (1994). Substitutes for leadership. SuperVision , 55 (7), 17.

Sergiovanni, T. (1992). Chapter 4 Substitutes for Leadership. In Moral Leadership: Getting to the Heart of School Improvement (p. 119). San Francisco: Bass.