Contingency Theory
Within the football community, Declan has demonstrated that he’s one of the best coaches in Wellington by consistently producing top level players that go on to play professionally. He’s a brilliant coach but the same characteristics that allow him to be successful on the field cause tense relations around the academy. For years, Declan has made decisions for the clubs he’s worked at with very little thought of relationships. He has somehow come to make every decision at Olé even though there are many very capable coaches here that are brought in from around the world AND a CEO that technically has more of a say than Declan. It’s clear that that’s only a formality and that Declan’s opinion matters most.
One of my colleagues has expressed frustration to me since he had so much more responsibility at his old club than he does at Olé because things are not delegated as well as they could be. Jeffrey worked in a large role at one of the best clubs in the world and he’s doing intern work here and training the youngest group of kids rather than working with the age group that he works best with.
One thing I’d like to propose to the leaders in the organization is to use more of a contingency based leadership style. During coaching the players, it’s okay to have more of a transactional relationship with players and act more authoritarian. However, in the workplace setting, it should be more of a democracy because there are so many capable people. I think if Declan lead in the office through developing relationships, there would be more sustainability among the staff.
Seems your two theory into action reflections have a common element to them and that the common element seems to create some challenges for the organization (despite also making contributions). In terms of discussing contingency theory, which is a leader-match theory, you might reflect – during your remaining time – about the various elements at play (leader-member relations, task structure, position power). For the fall academic assignments, you’ll want to have thought more about specific ways in which elements of theory (whichever you choose) play out at and potentially inform the dynamics at your site.