– In preparation for this activity, make a newsprint sheet for each of the leadership styles listed in the “Leadership Styles” handout. Write the style at the top of the page and post all four pages on the walls around the room. Provide each participant with a copy of the “Leading Values” list and five blank index cards.
– Ask participants to carefully review the “Leading Values” list and to identify the five most important values for them at work—those values that motivate them to quality performance. Instruct participants to write one of their five selected values on each index card. On the back of the card, ask them to also list three behaviors or actions that they assume a leader who held this same value would exhibit.
– Distribute the “Leadership Styles” handout, which also lists each style’s accompanying behaviors. Give participants time to study these lists to determine which of their cards should go with which leadership style.
– Tell participants that when they are ready, they are to tape each of their five values cards on the newsprint page of the leadership style that they believe would be most likely to exhibit the behaviors they have listed as demonstrating that value.
Note: Many values will “fit” under several of the leadership styles. The distinguishing factors are most likely to be the associated behaviors. For example, respect can be shown by a transactional leader taking care of your basic needs or by a situational leader including you in decision making. Vision can be shared through the chain of command by a transactional leader or collaboratively developed by a transformational leader. The facilitator will need to help participants make these types of distinctions as they decide where to place their values cards.
– Ask participants to form four groups, with each group responsible for discussing one of the leadership styles. Each group will take the newsprint page associated with their assigned style along with the 3 × 5 values cards taped to it and discuss the behaviors and their underlying values as under their assigned style, using these questions as guides:
- What themes emerge in either common values or common behaviors
expected from leaders using this style?
- Are there any inconsistencies in either the values or behaviors
expected of this leadership style?
- What type of employee (that is, what values or behavior
expectations) might this leadership style have difficulty in
Motivating?
– Instruct the small groups to return to the larger group and ask each
small group to report the results of their discussion.
Materials
A copy of the ‘Leading Values List’ and ‘Leadership Styles Handout’ for each participant, a flipchart and marking pen, 5 index cards for each participant, Pens or pencils for participants and tape.
