Blake and Mouton have designed a model that identifies five different leadership styles based on concern for production and concern for people. Each aspects is measured a scale of 1 (low) to 9(high). Describe the behaviouristic Approach to leadership by naming each leadership style on Blake and Mouton’s managerial grid. 5 marks

Answer 1

Blake and Mouton's managerial grid is a well-known framework that identifies five distinct leadership styles based on two axes: concern for production (task orientation) and concern for people (relationship orientation). Each axis is rated on a scale from 1 (low) to 9 (high). The five leadership styles identified in their model are:

1. Impoverished Management (1,1): This style is characterized by a low concern for both people and production. Leaders who adopt this style tend to do the minimum required to maintain their position, resulting in ineffective leadership and disengagement from both their team and operational goals.

2. Task Management (9,1): This style places a high emphasis on production but a low emphasis on people. Leaders focusing on task management prioritize efficiency and goal achievement over the welfare and concerns of their team members, which can lead to a high-pressure environment with low morale.

3. Middle-of-the-Road Management (5,5): This leadership style reflects a moderate concern for both people and production. These leaders strive to maintain a balance between the two areas, but may risk compromising effectiveness in both aspects, leading to average performance and morale.

4. Country Club Management (1,9): This style demonstrates a high concern for people but a low concern for production. Leaders here prioritize creating a comfortable and friendly environment, often at the expense of achieving organizational goals, which can result in underperformance.

5. Team Management (9,9): This is considered the ideal leadership style, as it combines a high concern for both people and production. Leaders who adopt this style foster a collaborative and productive work environment, encouraging team members to excel and maintain strong relationships, leading to high performance and well-being.

In summary, the behavioral approach to leadership by Blake and Mouton focuses on how leaders prioritize tasks versus relationships, yielding five distinct styles from impoverished management to team management.