Behavioral Leadership

Behavioral Leadership is a study of the actions, or behaviors, that define a leadership style.  This theoretical approach to understanding leaders creates categories of styles, which are aligned with the actions the leader may take, or the methods they use to reach their goals.  This is a different approach than situational leadership theories, which are focused on the application, and effectiveness, of leadership styles to the different operating environments found in the workplace.

For example, a behavioral leadership theory might focus on explaining a type of leader that exists, such as a bureaucratic leader; someone that is empowered through the office they hold in a company.  The study of situational leadership examines how different styles can be effective under different workplace conditions.  For example, a coercive leadership style works best when a company turnaround is needed.

Since behavioral leadership places emphasis on the actions of the leader, it is better at describing transactional leadership styles than transformational leadership styles.