leadership

Question 1

what is leadership

Answer 1

activity of influencing people to strive willingly for group objectives

Question 2

4 purposes of leadership

Answer 2

1. deciding objectives for the organisation
2. providing expertise and setting standards
   3.determining the structure of the organisation
   4.role models for individuals within the organisation
   5.to deliver results through others
   6.create opportunities for others and assist them in creating personal goals

Question 3

key leadership skills

Answer 3

> entrepreneurship
interpersonal skills
decision making and problem solving
time management and personal organisation
self development skills

Question 4

Management

Answer 4

can be exercised over tasks, time, projects, resources
it’s an organisational process
based on authority
involves structure , analysis, planned inputs to receive predictable outputs

Question 5

pointers on leadership

Answer 5

can only be exercised over people
it’s an interpersonal process
based on power/ influence
depends on followership
secures commitment
involves influencing, persuading, creating vision for change

Question 6

what is trait theory

Answer 6

it believes that leaders are born not made which have been discredited

qualities like: judgement, fairness,cooperation, dedication, emotional stability, decisiveness

Question 7

why trait theories are not working

Answer 7

1. premise that certain theories are absolutely necessary for effective leadership has never been substantiated
2. list of traits proposed are contradictory and vast
3. trait theories ignore the complexities of the leadership situation, not everyone w these traits turn out to be a good leader

Question 8

what is style theory

Answer 8

it describes the various preferences or behavioural styles of managers

Question 9

what is contingency theory

Answer 9

it sees effective leadership as being dependent on circumstances

Question 10

style theories of leadership

Answer 10

Autocratic (tells)
Democratic (joins)
persuasive (sells)
consultive ( consults)

Question 11

Autocratic

Answer 11

Quick decisions
efficient for programmed work
discourages feedback, initiative, commitment, satisfaction

Question 12

persuasive (sells)

Answer 12

decision explained to subordinates
possibly more commitment but not much
communication still largely one way

Question 13

Consultive (consults)

Answer 13

leaders take subordinates views into account but retains final say
involvement fosters commitment
consensus decisions though takes longer

Question 14

democratic (Joins )

Answer 14

decisions on the basis of consensus
high commitment/ satisfaction for subordinates

Question 15

adv and disadvantage of autocratic leadership

Answer 15

adv:
time is not take. waiting for feedback on information or instruction given to employees
workers are told what to do/ supervised to make sure that the job is complete as expected
no time is spent seeking the views of employees
quick decisions can be made

disadvantage:
workers might not feel valid or trusted
stifle their potential creativity
employees maybe able to contribute ideas that are better than those of the leader
involvement in decision making can be motivating and can provide some job satisfaction

Question 16

adv and disadvantages of democratic leadership

Answer 16

adv:
workers get feedback and leaders also hear what the employees believe about some decisions or information
can be very motivating as employees would feel validated and trusted
better ideas can sometimes come from the employees
high level of understanding what the business is aiming to achieve

disadvantage:
sometimes quick decisions are needed
employees might feel it’s it their job to make decisions
some issues cannot be discussed with employees eg, takeover plans of business
getting feedback can be time consuming
employees might not like or agree with the long term aims of the business, might affect their motivation or labour turnover