SYNERGISTIC LEADERSHIP THEORY

Jayanta(GJ 805) Minisha(Gk1074)5 Naw Khu Mu Wah(GN 531)

Introduction
Problems with leadership theories and research: A male bias

A need for leadership theories that transcend gender and cultures because the goal of science is to develop universally valid theories, laws, and principles

Synergistic Leadership Theory

To address the male bias and include the females experience and perspective, Irby, Brown, Duffy (1999) developed the SLT. Developed by female researchers, utilizing a female sample, and including the female perspective. The SLT includes issues concerning diversity and the inclusion of the female voice in the theory. The SLT has emerged as a transformational leadership theory sharing responsibilities, building capacity in others, leading by example, motivating followers, and restructuring social situations.

Three Assumptions of SLT

Leadership is the interaction among attitudes, beliefs, and values; leadership behavior; external forces; and organizational structure. Women bring a particular set of leadership behaviors to leadership positions.
No theory/model exists in current literature that is inclusive of female leadership characteristics or womens perspectives

TETRAHEDRAL MODEL
Organizational Structure

External Forces

Leadership Behaviors

Beliefs, Attitudes, and Values

Four Factors of synergistic leadership theory Factor 1: Attitudes, beliefs, and values
Factor 2: Leadership behavior Factor 3: External forces Factor 4: organizational structure

Factor 1: Attitudes, Beliefs, and Values

Foundation for guiding principals

Dichotomous Manifested in actions

Factor 2 : Leadership Behavior

A range of behaviors from autocratic to nurturer

Both behaviors that are commonly associated with males and those that are commonly associated with females.

Factor 3: External forces

Influencers outside the control of the organization or the leader Community and conditions, regulations or laws, demographics, cultural and political climate, technological advances, economic situations, etc.

Factor 4: organizational structure

Characteristics of organizations and how they operate Ranging form open, feminist organizations to tightly bureaucratic ones
The SLT creates a framework for describing interactions and dynamic tensions among the four factors. Tension between even two of the factors can negatively impact the perceived effectiveness of the leader or the organization.

Differences Between SLT And Other Current Leadership Theories

Postmodern Position challenges the hegemony of modernist centralization and marginalization promotes the views of postmodernism does not advocate a binary either/or criteria
Gender Inclusivity addresses the female perspective and includes attributes, experiences, and abilities inherent in both male and female leaders includes female leaders in leadership development, reflects females leadership experiences female leadership behaviors may interact with the factors of the theory in ways unlike the leadership behavior of males

Differences Between SLT And Other Current Leadership Theories

Cross-Cultural Transcendence contextual, relational, situational/contingent, and transformational culture is an external force

possesses explanatory power

practical and useful for understanding interactive systems parsimonious advances gender equity and social justice because it promotes dialogue around a model that is cognizant of female, as well as male, realities

Conclusion
The SLT positioned in postmodernism Postmodernism focuses on inclusivity, multiplicity, and plurality. The SLT is inclusive of female leaders perspectives and experiences; it pursues co-existence or continuity of old theories rather than replacement of them.
The SLT consists of four factors which relate to and interact with each other. No matter what values, beliefs, attitudes, leadership behaviors, organizational structures, and external forces, the leader and organization can be perceived as effective if there is an alignment among the four factors.

Conclusions
Promote gender equity and social justice by including the female leaders views and voices Female leadership emphasizes care, empowerment, and relationship Female leaders prioritize relationships over authority and lead through collaboration rather than competition Be aware of that leadership is a moral endeavor The ultimate goal of leadership is to elevate the follower from a lower level to a higher level of morality and to help the followers to become moral leaders in the cause of achieving a collective purpose Take cultural factors into consideration Enhance their cultural competence by increasing their awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences and acceptance of cultural values and behavioral patterns specific to certain cultures

Thank you!