Lmx Theory free essay sample

The LMX theory suggests that when subordinates believe in themselves they become empowered to do better at a given task improving production and job performance. LMX theory has shown that leaders who motivate and offer subordinates tools to improve skills and gain confidence will result in employees performing better. In the case of a Tale of Two Coaches, there is strong evidence of the LMX theory in both case studies. Both Coach K and Coach Knight use motivational tactics and training to improve athlete’s abilities and trust. Through drills and practices subordinates gain confidence in there sport and feeds there will to play better by improving there skills and abilities. Both coaches used the tools of discipline, tough love and building relationships with players to gain trust and motivation. These tools are what the LMX theory suggests are part of the key factors to effective leadership. For Coach K, his discipline consisted of drills, skills, practice, analyzing plays and strategies to help his team get to where they needed to be. Coach K went further to motivate and support players by making an effort to understand each player through communication by assisting them to get to where they need to individually and as a team. He did this by building trust through eye contact when he spoke to players. He also expected players to do the same when communicating with each other. Coach K’s personal coaching style of not using a whistle while confronting players built trust, reassurance and confidence among the team members because it displayed a more personal approach.. Coach K is a motivator of tough love; he used fear to motivate players by disciplining players who didn’t show respect for the team, program, school or others. Coach K instilled the importance of building character in his players which plays as a major factor in the LMX theory. Coach Knight also showed evidence of the LMX theory by instilling discipline, rules, tough love, and developing relationship with players and educating player with the will to win. Coach Knight used motivational tactics such as intense drills of push-ups, sprints and rules to build respect, commitment and perseverance. Coach Knight focused on the importance of preparation to win and provided players with the tools necessary to do so through rules, discipline and leading by example. Coach Knight instilled the will to win through a drill that required players to fight for the ball. This simple drill emphasized the will to win through preparation rather than the skill itself. Players gained the drive and confidence to do well and want to do well. Coach Knight used discipline to reinforce his motivational tools by being fair to all and never playing favorites. He disciplined players for performing poorly by threatening to take away scholarships, benching starters or throwing players out of practice if the behavior persisted. He reinforced his leadership style through example by not settling for less than perfect. Coach Knight expected perfection and was never satisfied with just winning but with the mistakes that were made. His idea of a perfect win was a win with no mistakes and he never tolerated less than that. He felt if he did tolerate mistakes then so would his players. His belief and motivation gave players a will to do better and in relation to the LMX theory this kind of leadership with subordinates is what makes an effective leader. In accordance with the LMX theory, neither coach had a division between In-groups and Out-groups. Both coaches showed no distinction between the two as they treated all players equally, disciplining and rewarding everyone the same. In both case studies the coaches expected all subordinates to perform at a level of In-group members leaving no room for Out-group subordinates to develop. All team members were projected to do more than the requirements, in turn each coach also went above and beyond as leaders. There main tools of motivation were through fear, love, trust, discipline and respect. Therefore, although there was strong evidence of the LMX theory in both cases there were also some inconsistencies that could not be applied with the theory. In conclusion, both coaches were great leaders that developed specific traits, styles, power bases and beliefs to being an effective leader. To be a winning leader a person must exhibit certain dominate leadership traits that will draw followers to there style and beliefs. In the two case studies both coaches displayed traits of intelligence and determination, however each had there own specific dominate traits which distinguished there style of leadership. Coach K’s dominate traits were integrity and sociability because he stressed the importance of trust in building relationships with players and he displayed more sensitivity for the needs of players. He demonstrated these traits through his face to face contact, analyzing strategies to understand players, being flexible and allowing players the freedom to be who they are by building relationships through family dinners and get together. Coach Knight demonstrates dominate traits of self-confidence and determination. He established this through his theory of the will to win as he pursued his style of leadership through harsh discipline, drills and expectations. He had the confidence to push the players even if it meant crossing boundaries that society would not approve. He built character through tough love and didn’t care what others thought of his leadership style or practices.