Robert Tannenbaum and Warren Schmidt
Sergio Caredda
Tannenbaum, R., & Schmidt, W. H. (1973). How to Choose a Leadership Pattern. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/1973/05/how-to-choose-a-leadership-pattern
Description:
Robert Tannenbaum and Warren Schmidt first published their views on leadership styles in 1958 and updated their model in 1973 in two articles on Harvard Business Review.
The model focuses on the delegation of authority from a manager to the team. The model is shown below and while the language of ‘subordinates’ and ‘superiors’ reflects its age, the principles still hold true over time.
It shows a continuum starting from a situation where the manager holds on to all authority, dictates what tasks need to be done and when. This approach progresses through various phases of increased consultation and delegation to one where the manager delegates most of the authority invested in them to the team.
Is this management or leadership? This can probably be debated, as the concept of delegation is an interesting aspect to consider. But it offer a still contemporary outlook on how people act.
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