Posted: March 23rd, 2023

Situational Approach and Path-Goal Theory

Situational approach and the path-goal theory are leadership models that influence success in the workplace. The two leadership approaches focus on the achievement of tasks by applying employees’ motivation systems to enhance job satisfaction. According to Cote (2017), situational leadership concentrates on adapting behavioral traits that meet the needs of employees in various situations to achieve the set objectives. The author avers that Path-goal theory is a leadership style that enhances the performance and increases satisfaction, which leads to the accomplishment of designated goals. Although the two leadership models apply different approaches to enhance the relationship between the manager and followers, both theories focus on attaining task objectives.

Situational leadership seeks to realize the integration of tasks and relationship orientations. It infers that a leader applying the situational perspectives will establish a relationship based on trust as well as respecting feelings and ideas of employees as they focus on meeting work expectations (Cote, 2017). The path-goal theory indicates that a leader’s perception and behavior can hinder or promote the attainment of employees’ goals (Cote, 2017). Hence, a leader applying the path-goal theory analyses the extent to which his or her attitudes and behavior motivate workers to achieve projected deliverables. According to Henkel and Bourdeau (2018), task-oriented leaders focus on assignment details before they act. They also concentrate on creating trust and respect as part of the action plan. Both theories utilize the behavior of leaders as a tool of influence to meet the set objectives. However, the path-goal theory focuses on the specific interest of leaders to achieve success, while the situational model integrates a leader’s traits to meet the set goals.