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Behavioral Theories of Leadership

💼 Business By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated
Quick answer: behavioral leadership theories focus on what effective leaders do, not who they are. They identified two main dimensions: task-oriented and relationship-oriented behavior.
Contents
  1. 1. Background
  2. 2. Key studies
  3. 3. Limits
  4. 4. References

Background

When trait research failed to find consistent results, scholars turned to observable, learnable behavior. In the history of leadership theory it sits between trait theory and contingency theory.

Key studies

  • Lewin (1939): autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire styles.
  • Ohio State: the LBDQ revealed initiating structure and consideration.
  • Michigan: job-centered versus employee-centered leaders, with the latter often linked to higher output and satisfaction.
  • Blake and Mouton's Managerial Grid: concern for production versus concern for people on a 9 x 9 grid, with 9,9 team management as the ideal.

Limits

The theories assumed one best style, but effectiveness varied by situation, which led to contingency theories.

References

  1. Lewin, K., Lippitt, R., & White, R. K. (1939). Patterns of aggressive behavior in experimentally created social climates. Journal of Social Psychology, 10(2), 269-299.
  2. Stogdill, R. M., & Coons, A. E. (Eds.). (1957). Leader Behavior: Its Description and Measurement. Ohio State University.
  3. Blake, R. R., & Mouton, J. S. (1964). The Managerial Grid. Gulf.
  4. Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage.

Reports and materials that use this theory (Korean)

There are no materials dedicated to this theory yet, but you can search related reports in the CampusDown library (Korean).

Find more reports · Search '리더십 행동이론' on CampusDown →
Leadership Theories: Trait, Behavioral and ContingencyThe main leadership theories in order: trait theory, the Ohio State and Michigan studies and the Managerial Grid, Fiedler's contingency model, Hersey-Blanchard, path-goal theory, transformational leadership and LMX, with original sources.💼 BusinessSWOT AnalysisSWOT analysis explained: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, the TOWS matrix, links with Porter's Five Forces and PEST, origins, criticisms, and how to write a SWOT report.💼 Business3C Analysis3C analysis explained: a strategy tool that examines Customer, Competitor and Company to find key success factors. Covers Kenichi Ohmae's strategic triangle, questions for each C, links to SWOT and STP, and a worked example.💼 BusinessAdams' Equity TheoryAdams' equity theory explained: comparing one's ratio of outcomes to inputs with others, reactions to under- and over-reward, six ways people restore equity, and its link to organisational justice.💼 Business

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This article was last updated on October 15, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.