The Science of Building Leader Series: Task or People First?

Mixed conclusions have risen from studies that try to determine the effects of task-oriented and people-oriented leadership: some show that people-oriented leadership produces greater productivity, while some show that task-oriented leaders create greater group efficacy. However, a common finding is that people-oriented leadership will generate greater cohesion within groups, as well as greater team learning. It is also supported that it has stronger individual impact, and a positive effect on self-efficacy. Vinesh Naidu from Leaderonomics tells us that the leaders role is to strike the right balance of prioritising the approach at different moments.