Deck 2: Understanding Theories of Leadership and Leadership Styles

Question 1

The framework used for discussing theories in a comparative perspective asks five questions. Which of the following is not one of the questions?

A) Which factors relate to motivation theory?
B) Which contingency factors does the theory explain?
C) Which style or styles does the theory emphasize?
D) What type of performance goals does the theory emphasize?

Answer 1

Which factors relate to motivation theory?

Question 2

Leader styles are at the beginning of the causal chain because they are:

A) The first demonstrable action toward followers and the organization
B) Leader styles include all of the behavioral variables exhibited by a leader
C) They are of great practitioner interest
D) All of the above

Answer 2

All of the above

Question 3

Contingency factors can be of two types; ideal conditions and strategies for success. Which of the following are considered ideal conditions?

A) Moderating variables
B) Intervening variables
C) Leader expertise
D) Supportive behavior

Answer 3

Intervening variables

Question 4

Which is an example of a moderating variable in the causal-chain model of leadership?

A) Leadership characteristics such as traits
B) Subordinate characteristics such as task commitment
C) Leadership expertise in exercising a style
D) The power relationships of an organization

Question 5

Production efficiency and follower satisfaction are examples of __________.

A) Performance goals
B) Behavioral variables
C) Moderating variables
D) Intervening variables

Question 6

Factors commonly included in major leadership theories under leadership characteristics include all of the following except:

A) Trait and skill characteristics
B) Behavior characteristics
C) Leader's attributions of followers
D) Leader's sense of commitment

Question 7

Factors commonly included in major leadership theories under task characteristics include all of the following except:

A) External connectedness
B) Role, task and organizational clarity
C) Task clarity and complexity
D) Task interdependence

Question 8

Factors commonly included in major leadership theories under subordinate characteristics include all of the following except:

A) Follower traits and skills
B) Task commitment
C) Family commitments
D) Follower's attributions of the leader

Question 9

Factors commonly included in major leadership theories under organizational characteristics include all of the following except:

A) Power relationships and organizational design
B) External connectedness
C) Environmental uncertainty
D) Culture of ethical considerations

Question 10

The __________ style is characterized by low leader control, and low leader goals and performance expectations.

A) Directive
B) Delegative
C) Laissez-faire
D) Combined

Question 11

When the leader lets subordinates know what they are expected to do, gives directions and guidance, asks subordinates to follow rules, and schedules the work activities, this is known as the __________ style.

A) Directive
B) Delegative
C) Laissez-faire
D) Combined

Question 12

When followers need an atmosphere of trust in the workplace, the leader should consider using the __________ style.

A) Directive
B) Supportive
C) Participative
D) Delegative

Question 13

The leadership style that emphasizes discussion and inclusiveness versus listening and empathy is known as the __________ style.

A) Delegative
B) Supportive
C) Inspirational
D) Participative

Question 14

The __________ style assumes low leader control, moderate performance goals and followers seek independence as a form of self-fulfillment.

A) Directive
B) Supportive
C) Participative
D) Delegative

Question 15

If a leader is seeking task improvement to emphasize high performance, the appropriate leadership style would be __________.

A) Directive
B) Supportive
C) Achievement-oriented
D) Participative

Question 16

A negative aspect of using the __________ style of leadership is the follower may become reliant on external vs. internal motivation.

A) Achievement-oriented
B) Participative
C) Delegative
D) Supportive

Question 17

One negative consequence of the __________ style of leadership is that it may reduce good suggestions, criticisms, and excessive confidence because the followers are in awe of the leader.

A) Directive
B) Inspirational
C) Participative
D) Strategic

Question 18

The __________ style of leadership focuses attention on organizational matters in the environmental context that contribute to organizational alignment, the ability to gain and retain resources, and the opportunity to gain comparative advantage in public settings.

A) Directive
B) Participative
C) Strategic
D) Inspirational

Question 19

The negative version of the __________ style is simply an excessive focus on external issues to the neglect of internal issues.

A) Directive
B) Collaborative
C) Inspirational
D) Strategic

Question 20

The __________ style is the use of two or more styles simultaneously in a single style, such as supportive and directive.

A) Inspirational
B) Collaborative
C) Combined
D) Strategic

Question 21

The framework for discussing theories asks: what performance goals tend to be achieved with what leader styles, under what conditions?

Question 22

Contingency theories attempt to explain leadership in a uniform fashion regardless of the situation.

Question 23

Under the casual-chain model, the contingency factors can be thought of as two kinds: intervening variables and moderating variables.

Question 24

The range of contingency factors is limited in scope which allows an easy comparison of leadership theories.

Question 25

The laissez-faire style tends to be identified in universal hierarchical approaches to leadership as the bottom or worst.

Question 26

A directive style assumes high leader control, average (or above) performance expectations, a formalistic notion of motivation based on legitimacy of command, reward, and punishments.

Question 27

When using the participative style, leaders make sure that followers feel good about themselves and feel valued in the work context by providing individual attention, soliciting information, and offering praise.

Question 28

An achievement-oriented style assumes low leader control and at least moderate performance goals. The motivational assumption is that followers seek independence as a form of self-fulfillment.

Question 29

An inspirational style uses intellectual stimulation to produce new ideas or to gain acceptance for new approaches, and to arouse contagious enthusiasm for the achievement of group goals.

Question 30

A collaborative style is also used when leaders engage in building professional or local communities.

Question 31

Describe the use of the casual-chain model to compare leadership approaches and theories.

Question 32

The text identifies ten generic leader styles discussed in the literature. While the styles are distinct enough to be separate categories and are relatively comprehensive of all leader functions, what are the three warnings does that author gives?

Question 33

The laissez-faire leadership style occurs when the leader exhibits passivity or indifference
about tasks and subordinates or purposely neglects areas of responsibility. This being the case, explain how using this style can be of benefit.

Question 34

Discuss the people and task behaviors involved in the achievement-oriented style and identify some of the negative aspects of using this style.

Question 35

Is the combined style a fusion of styles or is it a series of rapidly alternating styles?