Topic: Path Goal Theory

Type of paper:	Essay
Subject area:	Management
Academic level:	College
Style:	APA
Size:	46.5 kB
Word count:	1552
Mark awarded:
Date submitted:	2008-11-21 19:11:18
Rating/Votes count:	5.00 / 3

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Tags:

life, change, theory, path, goal, dependence, nice, Lewis, Dependency Theory, Road, Vander Zanden, behavoir

Jean Lewis case
Introduction
``Leading is the process of influencing people so that they will
contribute to organizational group and goals (Management-2002 ) One of
the most celebrated theories in leadership is Path Goal theory developed
by Robert House . This theory of leadership implicate that ``Leaders are
those who show employees how their performance will lead directly to
tangible results (Path goal theory-2004 . Thus the theory emphasis
that it is the responsibility of the leaders to illuminate the path
towards the goal so the subordinates are able to define their tasks
clearly , remove the obstacles that serve as a hindrance in employee 's
way and escalate the rewards along the route .
Tom Stemberg took the reins of initiating an office supplies superstore
in the year 1985 . The pioneers who helped Tom in seeking new horizons
included a team of four more professionals who were Krasnow , CFO , VP of
Operations and VP of Merchandising . Staples celebrated the opening of
its first store in the year 1986 in Brighton Massachusetts . By the year
1991 , the team of staples was able to implement its manipulation over
the market with its hard work and dedication whose proof was the
institution of 123 stores . With the growth of staples the senior
management kept looking for individuals with a can-do attitude ,
completive drive and eagerness to learn and stretch themselves .
In year 1991 Jean Lewis was hired by Staples as a summer internee in the
Marketing department . A year after her graduation , in 1993 she was
recruited by Staples as a Marketing Manager held responsible for Field
Marketing and Sales Forecasting . Soon after , she secured the position of
Director of New England Operations . Assessing her tenacity in her
decisions and her ability to work in demanding working environment , she
was promoted to the position of the Director of Sales for 150 stores on
the East Coast in 1995 . In 1996 she was awarded the VP and the
Divisional Merchandising Manager for furniture and decorative supplies .
Shortly her efficiency earned her the position of SVP of Small Business
and Retail Marketing .
A . Identify the leadership behavior that Lewis used with her employees .
House coined up four styles of leadership which were Supportive
leadership , Directive leadership , Participative leadership and
Achievement Oriented leadership . The environment of staples influenced
Jean to develop an Achievement Oriented leadership style . This kind of
leadership includes setting challenging goals , both in work and in
self-improvement . High standards are demonstrated and expected . The
leader shows confidence in the capabilities of the follower to succeed
and to achieve desired goal .
B . Discuss Lewis 's leadership behavior as it relates to characteristics
in the Path-goal theory .
Year 1994 was a turning point in the career of Jean Lewis . It was her
sharp mind , her vast business acumen and her ability to work in
stressful environments that she kept climbing the stairs of triumph .
After being appointed as the Director of Operations of New England Jean
found herself in a quagmire for not only was she given the
responsibility...

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