01-1_Reframing Leadership Quiz

Question 1

According to Robert K. Merton, how is leadership success defined?

Answer 1

Leadership success = people following; observer states this.
people follow accordingly => no leader required!

Question 2

What does the “Emperor’s New Clothes” story illustrate about perception and reality in social contexts?

Answer 2

fear of being seen as stupid/unfit =>
individuals w/in social context conform to perceived expectations
+ praise non-existent:
social pressure => collective delusion!

Question 3

How does Systems Theory distinguish between a trivial machine and a non-trivial (living) system?

Answer 3

1. trivial machine = predictable & repeatable, with a clear cause-and-effect relationship (f(x)=y)
2. non-trivial (living) system = unpredictable, ambiguous, not calculable, functioning as a black box where internal processes remain invisible

Question 4

Explain the core idea of “Leadership as a function” versus focusing solely on the leader’s actions.

Answer 4

interaction between people – leaders + followers
=> organization’s survival
≠ approaches: leader’s individual actions/qualities => leadership outcomes

Question 5

What is the paradox of observation in Systems Theory?

Answer 5

observer observes, draws a distinction -> what is observed + what remains unobserved
changing focus => different aspects; part of the world always remains unobserved!

Question 6

How do decisions, from a Systems Theory perspective, both reduce and increase complexity?

Answer 6

1. reduce: excluding alternatives & focusing on a choice
2. increase: enabling a higher number of future possibilities or options

Question 7

What is the significance of “WYSIATI” in the context of decision-making biases?

Answer 7

intuitive mind:
only available evidence
=> coherent narrative
=> making decisions: overlook missing info

Question 8

How does a social system primarily achieve stability?

Answer 8

flexibility = loose couplings;
change ≠ relying on fixed structures

Question 9

What are 2 possible attributions through which a person can gain influence in social systems?

Answer 9

1. ‘expert’ = reputation
   <= knowledge & expertise
2. ‘ability to guide + influence’ = leadership
   <= social/ communicative abilities

Question 10

How does the concept of “role” relate to action and behavior in a social system?

Answer 10

A role = expectation of behavior within a social system, which an individual person represents
person - psyche/mind- vs. role
action - individual thinking - vs. behavior - interpretation in social context