Axia College Material

Appendix D
Contingency Theory of Leadership

Describe the work environment you intend to review for this

assignment.

The work environment would consist of an educational and

developmental oriented atmosphere. The goal of the direct
Description of work care staff will be to encourage and apply learning and
environment developmental techniques. The curriculum will be top of the
line and stimulating. The environment will also be safe,
secure, and employees will be well matched to the age group
they are working with.

In the table below, categorize different leadership approaches that could be used in the work
environment you have described. Provide different suggestions for each of the four approaches to
leadership.

Directive approach Supportive approach

All teachers’ aides, nursing aides,
maintenance, and general care staff
will have prior experience and attend
training sessions to become certified
child care providers. Weekly schedules
will be posted a week in advance with
clear, detailed duties of what is
expected of the employees. Upon
hiring an employee they will be given
clear explanations of what is expected
of them as far as job duties, as well as
the consequences for failure to do so.
There will be a disciplinary plan in
effect to govern all employees. There
will also be quarterly raises based on
performance, bonuses for attendance,
tuition reimbursement, and bonuses for
sales personnel when there are no
empty slots for a specified time period.
Employees will be recognized by
management when they go above and
beyond customer expectations.
Possible award ceremonies for these
employees. Personal days will be
extended to employees upon
completion of their 90 day probationary
period. Also, vacation time will accrue
after one year and progress as an
employee’s employment progresses.
Benefits will also be offered to
employees who have completed their
90 day probationary period. The
organization will recognize, and not
penalize, anyone needing to take a
medical leave of absence or maternity
leave. Discounted services will be
offered to employees seeking child
care services for their own children.
The organization will be an equal
opportunity employer and will not

BUS 210
 tolerate racism. Anyone who threatens
another person on the premises will be
punished according to the law.

Participative approach Achievement-oriented approach

Employees can schedule time off;
unpaid or paid (if applicable), in
advance. Weekly meetings will be held,
by division of department, between
supervisors and employees to discuss
any issues, then between supervisors
and upper management to decide how
best to take action on these issues. To
encourage proactive work behaviors
employee suggestions should be
implemented as appropriate.
Specific goals will be set for each level
of employees and will be rewarded
upon completion of these goals; i.e.
perfect attendance, exceeding
customer expectations, completion of
certification requirements, tuition
reimbursement, etc. Rewarding the
employees will emphasize and
motivate them to perform at optimal
levels. Demonstrating confidence in
employees can be achieved by
allowing them leeway with planning
activities and curriculum; this also
allows them freedom when going about
their job.

Leadership
recommendation What is your recommendation for the BEST leadership
approach for the work environment you described? Explain
your recommendation.

I believe a combination of all the approaches, as detailed

above, would be beneficial in the day care atmosphere. The
leadership approach is necessary to set boundaries and
ground rules that are “a given”. The directive approach is
necessary when hiring quality personnel and maintaining a
positive, top of the line, reputation. The supportive approach
is necessary to maintaining quality employees and their
fulfillment with their jobs. By rewarding employees for positive
behaviors they will feel respected and that they are a
contribution to the organization. The participation approach is
also beneficial to making the employees feel that they are a

BUS 210
contribution. People who feel that their opinions matter, and
their efforts count, tend to try harder to succeed.

BUS 210