Leadership scholars are developing a unified body of speculation they call the “Path-Goal Theory of Leadership.” According to this belief, influential leaders affect their followers’ motivation, productivity, and happiness. The name “Path-Goal” comes from the emphasis on the leader’s ability to shape followers’ views of their potential and the means by which they might achieve their professional and personal objectives.
According to this hypothesis, followers are more likely to follow their leader’s lead if their actions help them get closer to their goals and make the steps needed to get there more transparent.