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What is Michigan Leadership Studies?
Michigan Leadership Studies is one of the behavioral approaches to leadership. Researchers at the University of Michigan, led by Rensis Likert began studying leadership within the late 1940s.
The purpose of this Michigan Leadership Study was to spot the behavioral characteristics of leaders that were associated with performance effectiveness. After studying an outsized number of supervisors in several factories, the Michigan group came up with two dimensions of leadership behavior employee-centered and production-centered.
Managers using employee-centered leadership behavior allowed sufficient freedom and provided necessary assistance to subordinates. They emphasized interpersonal relations and took a private interest in the hands of their employees. Their primary concern was the welfare of subordinates.
They’re strongly concerned about the employee’s behavior, which motivates them to try to work and check out and create a mutual relationship between employees and the dealing environment. They believe employee’s welfare is more important than the to force them to try to job.
On the opposite hand, a production-centered leader paid close attention to subordinate’s work, explained work procedures, and regarded group members as a focus. it’s also called the job-centered leadership style.
These sorts of leaders are less concerned about the employee’s welfare rather they only want to urge the work done in the maximum amount possible within a brief period of their time. They think employees should do their work the maximum amount they will.
Michigan researchers strongly favored employee-centered leadership behavior. Employee-oriented leaders were related to high group productivity and high job satisfaction. And, the production-oriented leaders were less related to low group productivity and lower job satisfaction.
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