The Main Event: Contingency Theory vs. Situational Theory

Contender One: Contingency Theory

Contingency Theory divides you up into either a task oriented leader or a relationship oriented leader.  This is determined by looking at the least preferred co worker scale.  A high score means you scored your least preferred co worker in a more positive light thus have a human relations origin, while a low score means you scored your least preferred co worker in a more negative light thus you are more task oriented.

Contender Two: Situational Theory

Situational Theory describes four different behaviors required of leaders: telling, selling, participating, and delegating.  Certain situations will require different behaviors so the above behaviors need to be applied during the appropriate time to be effective.

Round One

When looking at these two theories more closely one of the main weaknesses to me of Contingency Theory is that while you may feel great saying that you are more relationship oriented or more task oriented, because let’s face it we are human and we are all about finding and defining ourselves, the theory doesn’t leave room for you to adapt to situations.  Task oriented people are only good leaders in certain situations and relationship oriented people are only good leaders in certain situations.  So the theory states that if you are not properly suited for the leadership position you are in then the only solution is to remove you from that position.

Round Two

On the other side Situational Theory is a bit more flexible.  There are certain situations where the four different behaviors (Telling, selling, participating, and delegating) are appropriate.  The key to situational theory is not to get stuck in one behavior.  The telling behavior is completely appropriate for a manager and a new employee relationship, but as that new employee starts to learn their job and become more self sufficient it is important that the manager changes as well.  If a manager continues along the telling path and the employee no longer feel that it is necessary conflict could result.

Round Three

So for me personally Contingency Theory doesn’t hold much weight (that wasn’t even an intentional fighting pun and it made me cringe), one of the things I really think a great leader needs is to be able to adapt, that and I think determining the type of leader you are based off of what you think of the least favorite person you ever worked with is really weird.  Situational Theory if done right can be much more effective in my opinion but it takes a leader who is not going to get stuck in one type of behavior to really illustrate this theory effectively. 

The Winner

Situational Theory in a unanimous decision, yes I was the only one voting but this is my blog so I make the rules.