THE ANSWER IS...IT DEPENDS!

What is the best leadership approach or style? It depends. Yes, that’s really the answer.

Contingency Theories of leadership suggest that the style or leadership approach should be based on the needs of the environment or situation and the needs of the participants or followers. Variables like time, working conditions and work agreements should come into play when considering a transformational or transactional approach. The level of motivation or skill of the participants should influence the leaders choices on a continuum of Highly Directive or Laissez Faire, or High or Low supportive.

With situations and people being so complex there is never one style or approach that is best. When we chose to be monocrematic in our leadership approach we are either not aware of the contingency variables or refusing to consider the complexities that situations and people bring. Transformational leadership cannot occur without considering the needs of the participants or followers.

The llabb is a wherever our conversations with thinkers occur.  I'm borrowing the lexicon from Sefu Bernard.  Conversations in the llabb have raised the premise of the opposable mind of the leader. It is suggested that successful leaders are integrated thinkers who integrate opposing ideas to create the best solutions (Martin, 2007). So instead of one leadership approach or another, successful leaders will take the best of different approaches and integrate them to best serve followers and navigate the situation.

For the past 5 years I have integrated a servant transformational and transactional approach when coaching athletes. During that time I have practiced a low directive, high supportive approach. The rational was that we wanted to develop thinkers on the basketball court. We facilitate emergent leadership, equip our athletes with info and empowering players to make the decision on the court. I always receive rave reviews for this coaching style. Most of our athletes thrive in this environment, but there are some who don't. Contingency theory has helped me to understand that the needs of the situation and participants must be priority one and that successful leaders today will adapt style and approach to meet those needs. How we want to lead is less important than modifying and specializing to suit the uniqueness of each of our athletes.

I’ll let you know later in the season how it goes.