Path-goal theory of Management

1. Path-goal Theory
By Febé Janse van Rensburg
Drexel University
NURS-557-900

2. Path-goal Theory
– Developed by Robert J. House and T.R. Mitchell (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges,
2011, February 16)
– A Path-goal breakdown;
1. Path-goal theory centers on how leaders motivate subordinates to undertake
designated goals.
2. The kinds of behaviors leaders can engage in to motivate followers.

3. What is it about?
• Leaders deliberately consider different courses of
action and assess the likelihood that each course of
action will yield desired as well as unwanted results.
• After thinking of using the alternative action,
followers should act in a manner that will result in
positive outcomes while at the same time
minimizing the negative.
• Using this concept of motivational behavior the
theory suggests that a successful leader leads
followers’ to behave in a certain way by altering
their view of the relationship between actions and
results. In other words the followers will believe
that their actions will yield positive results for them.
• The leader must use a style that is best for the
followers motivational needs (Knight, Shteynberg
& Hanges, 2011, February 16).

4. THE INFLUENCE OF PATH-GOAL
THEORY
– It is influential in the creation of new outlooks in the leadership field. The
substitutes for leadership theory is one of them.
– The evidence for substitutes theory is varied, it is extensively cited and has an
widespread following.
– Another academic result of path-goal management theory is the theory of
charismatic leadership, by House.
– The Path-goal theory well-defined the gap that charismatic theory filled.
– The theory of charismatic leadership continues to play a major role in leadership
today (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

5. Four distinct types of behavior
– Command leadership: Leader who gives subordinates task instruction including:
What is expected, how to get the task done, a timeline for task conclusion.
– Caring Leadership: makes the milieu a gratifying place and is concerned for the
individual happiness of the followers.
– Participative Leadership: bearing in mind followers’ input and respecting their
views when making decisions that touch them. Followers participate in the
decision making process.
– Goal-Focused Leadership: Leader who motivates followers to seek excellence in
all they do. Improving follower performance in an almost inspiring way (Knight,
Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

6. PRO’S
– Makes it easier to understand what
the relationship is between leader
motivation and follower gratification
in relation to work performance.
– One of the rare theories that discuss
and explains motivation and
incentive.
– Establish a clear path and how to
reach the desired destination(Knight,
Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011,
February 16).
CON’S
– This theory is supported only in
part by evidenced based research.
– It doesn’t clearly define the
relationship between the follower
and the leader.
– All of the responsibility weighs
heavily on the leaders shouders
(Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges,
2011, February 16).

7. How applicable is the theory to leadership
in health care environments?
– It is a very applicable theory. The leader needs to do the following to enable this
leadership theory in practice;
– Explain goals to the followers( nurses).
– Simplifies paths to be taken to reaching these goals.
– Remove all hurdles.
– Provide support (Knight, Shteynberg & Hanges, 2011, February 16).

8. References
House, R. J. (1971). A path-goal theory of leadership effectiveness. Administrative Science
Quarterly, 16, 321–338.
House, R. J. (1976). A 1976 theory of charismatic leadership. In J. G. Hunt & L. L. Larson
(Eds.), Leadership: The cutting edge (pp. 189–207). Carbondale: Southern Illinois
University Press.
House, R. J. (1996). Path-goal theory of leadership: Lessons, legacy, and a reformulated theory.
Leadership Quarterly, 7(3), 323–352.
House, R. J., & Mitchell, T. R. (1974). Path-goal theory of leadership. Journal of Contemporary
Business, 3, 81–97.
House, R. J., & Mitchell, T. R. (1975). Path-goal theory of leadership. In K. N. Wexley & G. A.
Yukl (Eds.), Organizational behavior and industrial psychology (pp. 177–186). New
York: Oxford University Press
Knight, A., Shteynberg, G., & Hanges, P. (2011, February 16). PATH-GOAL ANALYSIS.
Retrieved April 9, 2015, from
http://www.sagepub.com/northouseintro2e/study/chapter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia10.1.
pdf

9. Intellectual Honesty Certification
I certify that this assignment is presented as entirely my own intellectual work. Any words and/or ideas from other sources (e.g. printed
publications, Internet sites, electronic media, other individuals, groups, or organizations) have been properly indicated using the
appropriate scholarly citation style required by the department or College.
I have not submitted this assignment in its entirety to satisfy the requirements of any other course. Any parts of this assignment from other
courses have been discussed thoroughly with the faculty member before this submission so that there is an understanding that I have used
some of this work in a prior assignment.
Student’s Signature: Febe Janse van Rensburg
Course Submitted: NURS 557-900
Term: Spring
Date: 04/09/2015