PATH-GOAL LEADERSHIP (how leaders serve)
EMPOWERING YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE 1.Turning ME into WE 2.Developing situationally- relevant leadership styleS
PRO SUCCESS TOOLS 1.The 4 path-goal leadership styles 2.Path 4 of the online Virtual Teams pro manual
“Working with Jimmy Cagney made me a better actor.” (Because his magnetism brought out the best performance in his co-actors.)
You’re not leading if others aren’t benefitting. Leading is positive & productive in purpose & generates positive emotions which encourage employees to cooperate & contribute. When you’re competently leading people, you’re simultaneously motivating them.
One of the quickest/easiest ways for leaders to benefit/serve co-workers is to clear a path to the goals you/they (WE) are trying to achieve = “run interference” for them like blockers for a running back in football.
“Operationalize” the goal showing co-workers the what, why, who, when, where, & how of pursuing the goal = SERVICE Remove obvious organizational barriers to goal achievement, such as inadequate resources, lack of training, or work overload = SERVICE Keep co-workers informed daily about progress = SERVICE
The PATH is more important than the goal because you learn more about success from traveling the path than from achieving the goal.
Zamples of 4 path-goal scenarios
PATH-GOAL leadership scenario #1: Impersonal leadership style
Leading/serving workers who lack goal- focus & have limited pro skills → Directive leadership style: micro- managing workers to group success
GOAL: Quick/efficient salting of roads & walkways PATH: import & layout all equipment & supplies for workers; stay on site with workers to oversee effectiveness & “trouble- shoot” emerging problems
PATH-GOAL leadership scenario #2 Personalized leadership style Jackie’s REAL McDonald’s dollar menu
Leading/serving workers who lack goal-focus & have limited pro skills → Personalized leadership style: positive reinforcement path to goal
GOAL: Smooth, coordinated, fast customer service during noon & evening rush periods PATH: Jackie creates a personalized, fun working atmosphere by positively- reinforcing her workers with one dollar bills & candy when they set or break a group-set performance goal.
PATH-GOAL leadership scenario #3 Participative leadership style
Leading/serving workers who are goal-driven, but need on-the-job training (OJT) → Participative leadership style: employees participate in paving the path to the goal
GOAL: Install an OJT operating system throughout the store PATH: using “managing by walking around” (timely on-the-spot work training) for customer-consideration collaboration between store manager, dept. heads, & part-time workers
PATH-GOAL leadership scenario #4 Virtual team leadership style
Leading/serving professional workers who are goal-committed & competent → Virtual team leadership style: professional employees make their own decisions
GOAL: Investment decisions via group intelligence & judgment PATH: Team brainstorming for risk- balanced consensus investment strategies