Leaders are the people who are distinguished from all others, not because of their natural talent or experience, but for their ability to inspire others to dream and make their follower’s dreams come true. Leader’s role is to generate passion and energy into everything they do and transmit it to the people around them. The leader is someone respected, admired, and followed by his team. He builds the best conditions for its people. This paper will analyze leadership goals of two leaders (Coach Knight and Coach K) in relation to goal theory and leader member exchange theory. The purpose of this paper is to extend reader knowledge on leadership style and the importance of leadership.
Question One: Goal Theory
Goal Theory is a theory put forward by psychologist Edwin Locke, according to this theory, leaders set goals to implement and attain desired objectives. This theory states that to achieve motivation of follower’s leaders must possess the skills to get to achieve goals. Everybody’s leadership development goals are different to others (House, 1996). Let’s discuss each coach’s goals and roles based on goal theory.
The leadership style of Coach Knight according to goal path theory is authoritative. From the case study, it was found that he was mainly concerned about the success. He provided high structure. According to him, the conditions they were operating were too complex to control that formal authority is required which can satisfy workers. Coach Knight had authoritative style of leadership, but he set challenging, but achievable goals he also believed in rewarding good performance of followers. He had directive leadership performance; he used to tell his players about his clear expectations of them, and he also told the way to achieve it.
On the other hand after examining the leadership style of coach K, one can say that in accordance to goal path theory he had supportive style of leadership. He always assisted his players in achieving desired...