Path-Goal and Leader-Member Exchange Approaches to Leadership

Based on the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory of Leadership, whenever there is a team project, there is an in-group and an out-group. These two groups refer to the relationship between the leader and the employees. Employees in the in-group always have more responsibilities and often learn about events/updates earlier than the out-group.

Thinking about this, please do the following:

1. As an employee, explain two benefits and two disadvantages of being part of the in-group and the out-group.
2. As an employee, how might you work your way into the in-group?
3. As a leader, mention two characteristics of employees in the in-group and two characteristics of employees in the out-group.
4. Explain why leaders divide employees into an in-group and an out-group.

• Embed course material concepts, principles, and theories (including supporting citations) along with at least two current, scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles.
• You may find that your discussion of leadership characteristics is easily supported with such current scholarly research, while the information about how your chosen leader exhibits those leadership characteristics is supported by popular research.
• Keep in mind that current scholarly references can be found in the Saudi Digital Library by conducting an advanced search. Current research means published in the last five years.

You are required to reply to at least two peer discussion question post answers to this weekly discussion question and/or your instructor’s response to your posting. These post replies need to be substantial and constructive in nature. They should add to the content of the post and evaluate/analyze that post’s answer. Normal course dialogue does not fulfill these two peer replies but is expected throughout the course. Answering all course questions is also required.

• For Your SuccessAs you work through the module content, consider what leadership styles work well for you, both as a leader and as a follower. Also consider the type of leadership theories you can apply throughout your career. Module 4 features a graded quiz, which covers material from Modules 3 and 4. You also have a Discussion Question, in which you will consider the Leader-Member Exchange Theory from both a leader and a follower perspective. As you respond to the Discussion Question, remember to embed course material concepts, principles, and theories (supporting citations required) along with at least one scholarly, peer-reviewed journal article. These scholarly references can be found in the Saudi Digital Library by conducting an advanced search specific to scholarly references.Learning Outcomes
  1. Critique the main components of the Path-Goal Theory of leadership.
  2. Critique the main components of the Leader-Member Exchange Theory of leadership.
  3. Analyze how the Path-Goal Theory and Leader-Member Exchange Theory facilitate innovation and organizational change.

  ReadingsRequired: Chapters 6 & 7 in Leadership: Theory and PracticeOlowoselu, A., Mohamad, M., Aboudahr, S. M. F. M. (2019). Path-Goal theory and the application in educational management and leadership. Educational Quarterly Reviews, 2(2), 448-455.Kucuk, B. A. (2020). Workflow experience in the light of leader-member exchange and person-job fit theories Workflow experience in the light of leader-member exchange and person-job fit theories – Alternative Formats Psychological Reports, 0(0), 1-34. Recommended Chapter 6 PowerPoint slides  Chapter 6 PowerPoint slides – Alternative Formats – Leadership: Theory and Practice Chapter 7 PowerPoint slides  Chapter 7 PowerPoint slides – Alternative Formats – Leadership: Theory and PracticeKinson, J., Murray, D. C., Rounkles, M., Selby, M., Wallace, T. (2021). Applying leader-member exchange theory to the college classroom: An investigation of student communication behaviors. Ohio Communication Journal, 59, 77-89.