Leadership I

Question 1

Define leadership

Answer 1

The influence that particular individuals exert on employees’ goal achievement in organizations

Question 2

What are the four components of leadership?

Answer 2

1. Influence
2. Process
3. Group
4. Common goal achievement

Question 3

Describe how influence relates to leadership

Answer 3

Influence is using power to affect others. Without influence you cannot have leadership, because leaders have to change the attitudes and behaviours of others

Question 4

Describe how process relates to leadership

Answer 4

Process looks at what leaders do. Leadership is all about doing - what do leaders do to increase their workers’ motivation and happiness?

Question 5

Describe how groups relate to leadership

Answer 5

The leader doesn’t work along. They need a group around them to help them succeed

Question 6

Describe how common goal achievement relates to leadership

Answer 6

Leaders are responsible for directing a group of people to achieve something together; they must inspire cooperation

Question 7

What are the three leadership theories?

Answer 7

1. Trait theories
2. Behavioural theories
3. Situational/contingency theories

Question 8

Define trait theories of leadership

Answer 8

The theory that individual characteristics translate to good leadership

Question 9

Define behavioural theories of leadership

Answer 9

The theory that leadership is a process; it looks at what people actually do to make their followers more productive

Question 10

Define situational/contingency theories of leadership

Answer 10

The theory that good leaders fit the best leadership style to the environment

Question 11

How accurate is the trait theory of leadership?

Answer 11

Traits aren’t going to predict effective leadership across the board; it depends on other factors like timing and circumstances. Some traits can lead to leadership, but not necessarily all the time

Question 12

What are the limitations to the trait approach of leadership?

Answer 12

1. Traits are not strongly linked to leadership
2. It does not take into account the situation in which leadership occurs
3. It does not tell us what leaders do to influence others successfully

Question 13

According to the trait approach to leadership, can leadership be learned?

Answer 13

No; you have to be born with “leadership traits”

Question 14

According to the behaviour approach to leadership, can leadership be learned?

Answer 14

Yes; leadership can be learned, practiced, and developed

Question 15

What are the two main behaviours of leadership?

Answer 15

1. Consideration

2. Initiating structure

Question 16

Define consideration behaviours of leadership

Answer 16

The leader is approachable, shows concern, and is supportive

Question 17

Define initiating structure behaviours of leadership

Answer 17

The degree to which leader behaviours facilitate group goal attainment

Question 18

What characteristics are shown by leaders exhibiting consideration behaviours?

Answer 18

1. Friendly, pleasant, agreeable
2. Care for other people’s welfare, happiness, progress, and success
3. Encouraging, mentoring, helpful

Question 19

What characteristics are shown by leaders exhibiting initiating structure behaviours?

Answer 19

1. Focus is on goal attainment, defining schedules and roles, and assigning employees to tasks
2. Less time on “people issues”, more time directing workers

Question 20

What are consideration behaviours related to?

Answer 20

Follower satisfaction, motivation, and perceptions of leader effectiveness

Question 21

What are initiating structure behaviours related to?

Answer 21

1. Leader and group performance

2. Employee productivity

Question 22

What is one caution with consideration behaviours?

Answer 22

Just because people feel motivated and feel like they are producing well, it doesn’t mean they are. If they feel too comfortable they might not put in as much effort

Question 23

What are the limitations to the behavioural approach of leadership?

Answer 23

They do not consider the situation in which the behaviour occurs; different tasks, employees, and situations require different kinds of leadership

Question 24

What is the main point of situational leadership theories?

Answer 24

The effectiveness of leadership behaviours do not generalize across all situations; the effectiveness of any behaviour depends on the situation

Question 25

What are the two best known situational leadership theories?

Answer 25

1. Fiedler's contingency theory | 2. House's path-goal theory

Question 26

Define path-goal theory

Answer 26

The theory that a leader's job is to assist followers in attaining their goals

Question 27

According to path-goal theory, how can leaders best assist followers in attaining their goals?

Answer 27

Leaders can get rid of the problems that are in the way of their employees goals. The leader must work to resolve the task so that the employee can do their job to the best of their ability

Question 28

Path-goal theory consists of what two sets of contingencies (situations)?

Answer 28

1. Environmental variables | 2. Characteristics of employees

Question 29

How can effective leaders enhance goal-oriented performance according to path-goal theory? (5 things)

Answer 29

1. Enhancing motivation 2. Enhancing abilities of followers 3. Providing guidance 4. Reducing obstacles 5. Providing resources to facilitate performance

Question 30

According to path-goal theory (a theory within situational theories), what are the four types of leadership behaviours?

Answer 30

1. Directive/contingency behaviours 2. Supportive behaviours 3. Participative behaviours 4. Achievement oriented behaviours

Question 31

Define directive/contingency behaviours (according to path-goal theory)

Answer 31

Structuring behaviours

Question 32

When are directive behaviours most effective?

Answer 32

When individuals have difficulty doing tasks or the tasks are ambiguous

Question 33

What are some examples of directive behaviours?

Answer 33

Scheduling, directing, telling people what to do, instructing

Question 34

Define supportive behaviours (according to path-goal theory)

Answer 34

Consideration behaviours

Question 35

When are supportive behaviours most effective?

Answer 35

When individuals are under stress or otherwise show that they need to be supported

Question 36

What are some examples of supportive behaviours?

Answer 36

Being accommodating for employees who need some off for child care

Question 37

Define participative behaviours (according to path-goal theory)

Answer 37

Getting employees involved in the decision making

Question 38

When are participative behaviours most effective?

Answer 38

When individuals need to buy into decisions or have a high need for empowerment or autonomy

Question 39

What are some examples of participative behaviours?

Answer 39

Getting employees opinions in the decision-making process; getting everyone to brainstorm ideas for a new work-volunteer program

Question 40

Define achievement-oriented behaviours (according to path-goal theory)

Answer 40

Inspiring employees to feel like they can accomplish more (building self-esteem and self-efficacy)

Question 41

When are achievement-oriented behaviours most effective?

Answer 41

When individuals like challenges and are highly motivated; when there are challenging tasks that require inspiration to boost their morale and performance

Question 42

What are the strengths of path-goal theory?

Answer 42

1. Generally supported by research | 2. Considers employees, situation, and leader

Question 43

What are the weaknesses of path-goal theory?

Answer 43

1. Dependent on leaders recognizing the various situations | 2. Dependent on leaders being able to adjust behaviours to various situations

Question 44

What are the moderators in path-goal theory?

Answer 44

Environmental factors and employee characteristics

Question 45

Define emergent leadership

Answer 45

When a leader emerges in a leaderless group

Question 46

What are the two types of emergent leaders?

Answer 46

1. Task leader | 2. Social-emotional leader

Question 47

Define task leader

Answer 47

The emergent leader who is concerned with accomplishing the task

Question 48

Define social-emotional leader

Answer 48

The emergent leader who reduces tension, manages disagreements, settles arguments, and maintains morale

Question 49

What are the advantages of participative leadership?

Answer 49

1. Increased employee motivation 2. Increased quality 3. Increases employee acceptance

Question 50

What are the disadvantages of participative leadership?

Answer 50

1. Increases time and energy needed 2. Leaders may perceive loss of power 3. Lack of receptivity or knowledge