Which leadership behavior exemplifies the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" attitude?

The leadership behavior that exemplifies the "if it's not broke, don't fix it" attitude is management by exception-passive. This approach focuses on monitoring work and only intervening when performance deviates from standards or expectations. Leaders who adopt this style tend to maintain the status quo, stepping in only when issues arise rather than actively seeking improvements or innovations. This passive approach demonstrates a preference for stability over change, aligning directly with the attitude of not wanting to disturb a system that is functioning adequately.

In contrast, participative management encourages collaboration and input from team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Transformational leadership seeks to inspire and motivate followers towards change and innovation, actively driving progress. Servant leadership emphasizes putting the needs of others first and is geared towards personal and organizational growth, which also moves away from maintaining the current systems without review. Thus, management by exception-passive most closely aligns with the concept of avoiding changes unless absolutely necessary, embodying the “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality.