Pick a leader in sport or business whom you admire and would like to model yourself after. What type of leadership style do they exhibit based on the managerial grid shown in Figure 1.2? Give an explanation of why you chose this managerial style and provide specific examples to support your explanation. In addition to the text (figure 1.2), find 2 sources to support your statements.
Figure 1.2
Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid
First developed in the 1960s, the managerial grid has been through many iterations (Blake & Mouton, 1964, 1978, 1985, 1994). It is widely accepted as a critical and important analysis of leadership behavior. It is similar in some respects to the Ohio State Studies, which combined a focus on tasks and a focus on the relationship with the subordinate. However, the managerial grid develops these concepts further by quantifying the degree to which the focus is on tasks or “concern for production/results,” and the focus is on the relationship with the subordinate or “concern for people.” The one to nine scale in Figure 1.2 allows for discernment among the various responses regarding concern for production or people, where one represents a low concern and nine represents a high concern. Blake and McCanse (1991) postulated that there were five leadership types:
1.1—Impoverished Management: Emphasizes a situation in which there is both low concern for results and for people. The apathetic nature of this leader results in behavior that is withdrawn from subordinates and indifferent to success.
1.9—Country Club Management: This combination of low concern for results with high concern for people results in a leader who is more interested in pleasing people than in the performance of tasks. This leader attempts to create an environment that is friendly and welcoming.
9.1—Authority-Compliance Management: This represents a high concern for results but a low concern for people. This controlling leadership style is characterized by dictating instructions to subordinates in a way that does not show concern or compassion.
5.5—Middle of the Road Management: This style of compromise is evident in leaders who balance concern for results with satisfying relationships. The group is functioning; however, there is potential for greater success.
9.9—Team Management: Great emphasis is placed on production and on people. This optimal balance of developing human relationships and effective results attainment provides the most satisfying work environment.