There are times when leader behaviors are ineffective. Substitutes directly influence intervening variables making leader action unnecessary. Determine the relative importance of intervening variables. Leaders must understand factors affecting group performance and monitor and take appropriate action on both a short term and a long term basis. Overall decision effectiveness depends upon decision quality and decision acceptance .
Participation generally leads to high levels of acceptance.
Acceptance is important when a decision can affect work motivation or when subordinates must implement the decision. Participation may or may not improve the quality of the decision. It depends on the resources and motivations of the leader and subordinates Participation More participation now than 15 yrs ago.