Theories The Major Leadership Theories The 8 Major Theories of Leadership By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 15, 2024 Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by mental health professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Amy Morin, LCSW Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our Review Board Learn more." tabindex="0" data-inline-tooltip="true"> Fact checked Verywell Mind content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Karen Cilli Fact checked by Karen Cilli Karen Cilli is a fact-checker for Verywell Mind. She has an extensive background in research, with 33 years of experience as a reference librarian and educator. Learn about our editorial process Print Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview "Great Man" Trait Contingency Situational Behavioral Participative Management Relationship What Kind of Leader Are You? Trending Videos Close this video player What is it that makes some people excel in leadership roles? Leadership theories seek to explain how and why certain people become leaders. Such theories often focus on the characteristics of leaders, but some attempt to identify the behaviors that people can adopt to improve their own leadership abilities in different situations. Early debates on the psychology of leadership often suggested that such skills were simply abilities that people were born with. In other words, these theories proposed that certain people were simply "born leaders." Some more recent theories propose that possessing certain traits may help make people natural leaders, but experience and situational variables also play a critical role. A Closer Look at Leadership Theories As interest in the psychology of leadership has increased over the last 100 years, a number of different leadership theories have been introduced to explain exactly how and why certain people become great leaders. What exactly makes a great leader? Do certain personality traits make people better suited to leadership roles, or do characteristics of the situation make it more likely that certain people will take charge? When we look at the leaders around us—be it our employer or the President—we might find ourselves wondering exactly why these individuals excel in such positions. People have long been interested in leadership throughout human history, but a number of formal leadership theories have only emerged relatively recently. Interest in leadership increased during the early part of the twentieth century. Early leadership theories focused on what qualities distinguished leaders from followers, while subsequent theories looked at other variables such as situational factors and skill levels. While many different leadership theories have emerged, most can be classified as one of eight major types. "Great Man" Theories Have you ever heard someone described as "born to lead?" According to this view, great leaders are simply born with the necessary internal characteristics, such as charisma, confidence, intelligence, and social skills, to be natural-born leaders. Great man theories assume that the capacity for leadership is inherent—that great leaders are born, not made. These theories often portray great leaders as heroic, mythic, and destined to rise to leadership when needed. The term "Great Man" was used because, at the time, leadership was thought of primarily as a male quality, especially in terms of military leadership. Such theories suggest that people cannot really learn how to become strong leaders. Leadership is either something you are born with or born without. This is very much a nature (as opposed to nurture) approach to explaining leadership. The Great Man Theory of Leadership Trait Theories Similar in some ways to Great Man theories, trait theories assume that people inherit certain qualities and traits that make them better suited to leadership. Trait theories often identify a particular personality or behavioral characteristics shared by leaders. For example, traits like extroversion, self-confidence, and courage are all traits that could potentially be linked to great leaders. If particular traits are key features of leadership, then how do we explain people who possess those qualities but are not leaders? This question is one of the difficulties in using trait theories to explain leadership. Plenty of people possess the personality traits associated with leadership, yet many of these people never seek out leadership positions. There are also people who lack some of the key traits often associated with effective leadership yet still excel at leading groups. Trait Theories of Leadership Contingency Theories Contingency theories of leadership focus on particular variables related to the environment that might determine which particular style of leadership is best suited for the situation. According to this theory, no leadership style is best in all situations. Leadership researchers White and Hodgson suggest that truly effective leadership is not just about the qualities of the leader; it is about striking the right balance between behaviors, needs, and context. Good leaders are able to assess the needs of their followers, take stock of the situation, and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. Success depends on a number of variables including the leadership style, qualities of the followers, and aspects of the situation. Situational Theories Situational theories propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variables. Different styles of leadership may be more appropriate for certain types of decision-making. For example, in a situation where the leader is the most knowledgeable and experienced member of a group, an authoritarian style might be most appropriate. In other instances where group members are skilled experts, a democratic style would be more effective. The Situational Theory of Leadership Behavioral Theories Behavioral theories of leadership are based on the belief that great leaders are made, not born. Consider this the flip side of the Great Man theories. Rooted in behaviorism, this leadership theory focuses on leaders' actions, not on their mental qualities or internal states. According to this theory, people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation. Why Leadership Coaching Is the Career Hack You Never Knew You Needed Participative Theories Participative leadership theories suggest that the ideal leadership style is one that takes the input of others into account. These leaders encourage participation and contributions from group members and help group members feel more relevant and committed to the decision-making process. In participative theories, however, the leader retains the right to allow the input of others. Is Democratic Leadership the Best Style of Leadership? Management Theories Management theories, also known as transactional theories, focus on the role of supervision, organization, and group performance. These theories base leadership on a system of rewards and punishments. Managerial theories are often used in business; when employees are successful, they are rewarded and when they fail, they are reprimanded or punished. What's the Difference Between Leadership and Management in the Workplace? Relationship Theories Relationship theories, also known as transformational theories, focus upon the connections formed between leaders and followers. Transformational leaders motivate and inspire people by helping group members see the importance and higher good of the task. These leaders are focused on the performance of group members, but also want every person to fulfill their potential. Leaders with this style often have high ethical and moral standards. Overview of Transformational Leadership What Kind of Leader Are You? Try our fast and free quiz to find out your usual leadership style. This leadership styles quiz was reviewed by Rachel Goldman, PhD, FTOS. Takeaway There are many different ways of thinking about leadership, ranging from focusing on the personality traits of outstanding leadership to emphasizing aspects of the situation that help determine how people lead. Like most things, leadership is a highly multi-faceted subject and it is a mixture of many factors that help determine why some people become great leaders. Learning more about some of the things that make people strong leaders is one way of potentially improving your own skills. 7 Signs You've Got a Toxic Boss 9 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Benmira S, Agboola M. Evolution of leadership theory. BMJ Leader. 2021;5(1):3-5. doi:10.1136/leader-2020-000296 Malakyan PG. Followership in leadership studies: A case of leader-follower trade approach. Journal of Leadership Studies. 2014;7(4):6-22. doi:10.1002/jls.21306 Mango E. Rethinking leadership theories. Open Journal of Leadership. 2018;07(01):57-88. doi:10.4236/ojl.2018.71005 Grant AM, Gino F, Hofmann DA. Reversing the extraverted leadership advantage: The role of employee proactivity. Academy of Management Journal. 2011;54(3):528-550. doi:10.5465/amj.2011.61968043 Khan ZA, Nawaz A, Khan IU. Leadership theories and styles: A literature review. Journal of Resources Development and Management. 2016;16:1-7. Hodgson P, White R. Leadership, learning, ambiguity and uncertainty and their significance to dynamic organizations. In: Peterson R, Mannix E, eds. Leading and Managing People in the Dynamic Organization. Routledge; 2003. Cote R. A comparison of leadership theories in an organizational environment. International Journal of Business Administration. 2017;8(5):28. doi:10.5430/ijba.v8n5p28 Amanchukwu R, Stanley G, Ololube N. A review of leadership theories, principles and styles and their relevance to educational management. Management. 2015;5(1)(2162-8416):6-14. doi:10.5923/j.mm.20150501.02 Groves KS, LaRocca MA. An empirical study of leader ethical values, transformational and transactional leadership, and follower attitudes toward corporate social responsibility. J Bus Ethics. 2011;103:511. doi:10.1007/s10551-011-0877-y Additional Reading Gill R. Theory and practice of leadership. SAGE Publications; 2011. By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book." See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Helpful Report an Error Other Submit