Understanding Theory II

To further apply the dimensions of Behavioral Leadership theory, I will discuss the TV show Stranger Things, with the focus of a kid run group consisting of 4 boys(Mike, Will, Dustin, Lucas) and one girl (Eleven). The entire first season will be discussed versus a single episode. In analysis, the character I will focus on and apply to behavioral leadership is Michael, the first person of the group to decide to take extraneous effort to search for their missing friend, Will, with the strong belief he is still alive.

It is evident throughout the series that Michael takes in the role as the leader. In reference to behavioral leadership in the context of decision making, he is more of a participative (democratic) leader. Whenever he is put into a a situation with his friends that demands decision making, he is the one to make the final call. He will often require the participation, input, and consent of his group members before making decisions in his own. Ultimately though, he is the one to make the final decision. This is not to say however he can be completely participative.

In analysis of both people dimensions and task dimensions, his strong emotions can lead him to go against his own team members and make his own decisions. When mike’s emotions are involved in decision making, he tends to put off an authoritative leadership style, focusing on the task at hand versus considering the opinions or maintaining strong relations with his team members. This is evident when he gets into an argument with Lucas about whether or not to keep Eleven in the group. While Lucas was providing his input on how Eleven, a runaway science experiment, may end up causing more harm than help, Michael becomes emotional and, without considering other opinions, sticks to making his own decision to keep Eleven because he believes Eleven will find their missing friend Will. Michael is demonstrating his prioritization of getting the task done as higher than maintaining the relationships with his group members. In this specific scenario, he hurts his relationships with Lucas, demonstrating that Michael is sometimes authoritarian when analyzing task and people dimensions. He runs into a similar argument with Eleven, in which he will later abandon Eleven.

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In reference to Theory X and Theory Y, it is clear that Michael views his group members in a Theory Y perspective. To briefly summarize, the main task that Michael and his friends (the group members), wish to accomplish is to find their missing friend, Will. All of the members, Dustin, Lucas, Eleven, and Michael care deeply about being able to accomplish this task. Their is evident and distinct motivation to accomplish this task. Additionally, it is demonstrated quite frequently throughout the series that each individual kid is quite capable of handling other tasks, such as defending themselves from evil entities as well as collecting research in aims of locating their friend.