What does the Fiedler contingency model focus on to identify effective groups?

The Fiedler contingency model focuses on the leader’s style of interacting, particularly their leadership style and the situational context in which they operate, to determine the effectiveness of a group. This model posits that a leader’s effectiveness is contingent upon the interplay between their inherent leadership style (whether task-oriented or relationship-oriented) and the favorability of the situation they are in.

Leaders who are task-oriented may excel in highly favorable or highly unfavorable situations, where the task is clear and direction is needed. Conversely, relationship-oriented leaders may thrive in moderately favorable situations where building rapport and support among group members can enhance group performance. This focus on the leader’s interaction style, in conjunction with situational variables, is critical for understanding how to foster effective groups in varying contexts.