Let’s explore each of the different leadership behaviors outlined in this model. Each behavior is also outlined in Figure 3. Bass refers to the most primitive leadership behavior identified is this model as Laissez-Faire Leadership (LF).
Considered to Figure 3: Bass Full Range Leadership Model*
be a highly ineffective method of leadership,
this
behavior
leads
avoidance
or
transactional to absence
either from
situations that require leadership. A very “hands off” approach is applied by those exhibiting this behavior.
Almost all research
indicates that this style yields the lowest return from followers. The
second
transactional
*Figure courtesy of Barbuto and Cummins-Brown of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
behavior that Bass identifies is Management-by-exception (MBE). This behavior may be either passive or active, and leaders exhibiting this trait often compare performance to generally accepted guidelines and standards.58 Passive MBE leaders wait until a situation has occurred, then perform damage control; active MBE leaders use failure as an example of what will occur if standards are not met. While this behavior is generally more effective than the LF behavior, it is generally ineffective at producing desired results.
MBE behaviors often lead to very high employee turnover, poor satisfaction and a low
perception of organizational effectiveness.59 Contingent Reward (CR) behaviors are considered by Bass to be the most effective of the transactional methods of leadership. This behavior yields similar expectations as the MBE behavior, but
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