Lederstiler : i hvilken grad gjør ledere bevisste valg av lederstil?
Abstract
The aim of this study is to analyze how leaders apply different leadership styles. As different
situations require different types of leadership, it is assumed that a leader, at any time, is
flexible in their choice of leadership style. This study will consider how aware a leader is of
his or her flexibility to choose between different leadership styles.
This paper tries to figure out how leaders choose their leadership style, and whether the
choice of a leadership style is a conscious or an intuitive one. This study draws on trait and
behavior theories, and also on the theory of emotional intelligence. Through these theories, 11
different leadership styles are identified and these form the basis for this study.
Through a case study this paper examines the different leadership styles applied by one leader
of a smaller Norwegian service company with an international profile. A qualitative method,
where the leader and four of his colleagues were interviewed, was used to gather the empirical
data which this study is based on. The purpose was to bring out any nuances that could help
clarify how aware the leader is of his flexibility in choice of leadership styles.
The findings show that the leader of this company is very flexible in his choice of leadership
style. In the light of the applied theories I interpret this flexibility to be an intuitive choice by
a leader who relies on his extensive emotional intelligence.
Description
Masteroppgave i offentlig politikk og ledelse- Universitetet i Agder 2011