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Behavioral theories of leadership concentrate on the observable actions and behaviors exhibited by leaders, rather than their inherent traits or personal characteristics. This approach emphasizes that effective leadership can be learned and developed through training and experience, and that specific actions can lead to successful outcomes. These theories are based on the idea that leaders can be categorized based on their behaviors, such as whether they adopt a task-oriented or relationship-oriented approach to leading their teams.

In contrast, situational theories focus on the context and environment in which leadership occurs, suggesting that the effectiveness of a leader's behavior may depend on the situation or the maturity level of their followers. Contingency theories also examine the relationship between the leader’s style and the situational factors but consider various contextual elements that influence the leadership process. Transformational theories emphasize the dynamic role of leaders in inspiring and motivating followers toward achieving collective goals, but they still surround the intrinsic qualities of the leader.

By focusing primarily on what leaders do—specifically their behaviors—behavioral theories offer practical insights into actions that can be adopted to enhance leadership effectiveness, making them a fundamental aspect of modern leadership studies.