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ACCA Strategic Professional · Strategic Business Leader · Qualities of leadership

Which statement best captures the central proposition of contingency approaches to leadership, as opposed to trait approaches?

Contingency approaches argue that leadership effectiveness depends on matching the leader's style to the situation, including followers, task and context. Unlike trait theories, they reject the idea that one set of characteristics or one style works best everywhere.

  1. AEffective leadership depends on the fit between leader style and situational factors, so no single style is best in all circumstancesCorrect
  2. BEffective leaders share a stable set of personal characteristics such as intelligence and drive
  3. CLeaders succeed by inspiring followers with a compelling vision beyond self-interest
  4. DLeaders should always balance concern for people and concern for production at the maximum level

Explanation

Contingency theories (Fiedler, Hersey and Blanchard, Vroom and Yetton) hold that leader effectiveness depends on situational variables. Option B describes trait theory, C transformational leadership, and D the Blake and Mouton 9,9 team management ideal.

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