Contingency theories

A group of theories where smarty-pants researchers try to figure out what leaders are best at doing, and in what situations.

Under these theories, traits and/or behaviors aren’t the only predictors in a leader’s ability. Certain people do better in certain situations than others. Contingency theories are attempts to match those people and situations, in order to optimize leadership ability.

In other words, finding the right people for the job at the right time and in the right circumstance.

In reality, it’s a crap shoot. Unless there’s a past model to work from, the only way to know if someone will make a good leader in a certain situation...is to actually give that person a shot and hope he doesn’t completely screw it up.