1.2.1 Early behavioural approach to management
In 1960 behaviours emphasising participative, and what Likert termed "supportive relationships" began to broaden the study management into the leadership arena:
The leadership and other processes of the organisation must be such as to ensure a maximum probability that in all interactions and all relationships with the organisation each member will, in the light of his background, values and expectations, view the experience as supportive and one which builds and maintains his sense of personal worth and importance. (Likert, 1961:104 )
One theorists, Rensis Likert (1961), sought to validate the leadership behaviours or characteristics that enable leaders to lead subordinates to achieve high levels of productivity while maintaining high employee satisfaction and motivation. He found that those managers (leaders) who placed more emphasis on the "human aspects" rather than production aspects of management, benefited by higher production outcomes.
Likert confirmed that higher productivity can be achieved by allowing employees greater autonomy in task management and completion, while the leader focussed on goal alignment and attainment. Equally staff involved in decision-making processes also felt greater 'ownership' of goals. This reinforced goal attainment.
The effective leader , therefore, instilled goal ownership through collective decision-making and the treatment of staff as human beings first and productive, tasks oriented resources as important, but secondary considerations. Clearly, it was the manager who sought to control tasks and make all decisions that was least able to attain a high degree of leadership effectiveness. An effective leader on the other hand was able to be "unselfish, cooperative, sympathetic, democratic, interested in the agency's success, honest, fair, and willing to help when asked" (Likert, 1961).