Contingency theory is the broad leadership framework based on the central idea that there is no single best way to lead. Its core principle is that a leader's effectiveness is contingent upon the situation. This approach posits that successful leadership is a result of the interaction and match between the leader's style (e.g., task-oriented or relationship-oriented), the characteristics of the subordinates (e.g., their skills and motivation), and various situational factors (e.g., task structure, leader's formal authority). The question's description perfectly encapsulates this fundamental premise of matching the leader, subordinate, and situation.

A. Attribute theory: This is a theory of social psychology (Attribution Theory) that explains how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior, not a leadership model based on situational fit.

B. Path-goal model: This is a specific type of contingency theory that focuses on how leaders motivate subordinates by clarifying the path to achieving goals, making it a narrower application of the general concept.

C. Life cycle model: Also known as Situational Leadership® Theory, this is another specific contingency model that matches leadership style to the developmental level (maturity) of the follower, rather than the broader concept itself.

1. Fiedler

F. E. (1967). A Theory of Leadership Effectiveness. McGraw-Hill. In this seminal work

Fiedler introduces his contingency model

stating that group performance is contingent on the leader's psychological orientation and three situational variables: leader-member relations

task structure

and position power (Chapters 1 & 9).

2. Robbins

S. P.

& Judge

T. A. (2017). Organizational Behavior (17th ed.). Pearson. Chapter 12

"Leadership

" defines contingency theories as those that propose leadership effectiveness depends on the situation. It explicitly contrasts this with trait theories and presents Fiedler's model

Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Theory (Life Cycle)

and the Path-Goal Theory as distinct contingency models.

3. House

R. J. (1996). Path-goal theory of leadership: Lessons

legacy

and a reformulated theory. The Leadership Quarterly

7(3)

323-352. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1048-9843(96)90024-7. This article reviews the Path-Goal model

identifying it as a contingency theory where leader behavior is contingent on subordinate characteristics and environmental factors (p. 324). This confirms it is a specific model

not the overarching theory described in the question.