Question 1

Which of the following approaches to implementing Fiedler's contingency theory in the workplace has proven effective?
A) accurately measuring and matching leaders to situations
B) teaching managers how to change situational favorableness
C) arbitrary definition of situations
D) only hiring supervisors with appropriate leadership traits
E) creating standing plans concerning leader actions and reactions

Accepted Answer

Accurately measuring and matching leaders to situations has been shown to be the most effective approach to implementing Fiedler's contingency theory in the workplace. This involves identifying the leader's dominant style and then placing them in a situation that matches that style. This ensures better performance and job satisfaction.

Question 2

According to the path-goal theory of leadership,______  is very similar to considerate leader behavior.
A) directive leadership
B) supportive leadership
C) participative leadership
D) achievement-oriented leadership
E) people-oriented leadership

Accepted Answer

Supportive leadership in path-goal theory is similar to considerate leader behavior as it focuses on the well-being and needs of employees, showing concern and support.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT one of the four leadership styles identified in the path-goal theory of leadership?
A) Directive
B) Supportive
C) Participative
D) Charismatic
E) achievement-oriented

Accepted Answer

The four leadership styles identified in the path-goal theory of leadership are directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented. Charismatic leadership is not a style identified in this theory.

Question 4

Recently, a newly appointed CEO of a major corporation began by firing the entire management committee. A few months later, this same executive, fired two of his hand-picked senior executives. From this information, it is obvious that this executive was more concerned about his employees' than their job satisfaction. In terms of situational favorableness, this executive demonstrated______  .
A) leader-member relations
B) initiating structure
C) goal commitment
D) power position
E) all of these

Accepted Answer

Position power refers to the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, reward, and punish workers.

Question 5

According to the path-goal theory of leadership, what type of leadership is being practiced that involves letting employees know precisely what is expected of them, giving them specific guidelines for performing tasks, scheduling work, setting standards of performance, and making sure that people follow standard rules and regulations.
A) people-oriented leadership
B) supportive leadership
C) participative leadership
D) achievement-oriented leadership
E) directive leadership

Accepted Answer

The type of leadership being described is directive leadership, which focuses on providing clear guidance and specific instructions to employees to ensure tasks are performed correctly and efficiently. This aligns with the description in the question of "letting employees know precisely what is expected of them, giving them specific guidelines for performing tasks, scheduling work, setting standards of performance, and making sure that people follow standard rules and regulations."

Question 6

Recently, a newly appointed CEO of a major corporation began by firing the entire management committee. A few months later, this same executive, fired two of his hand-picked senior executives. From this information, it is obvious that this executive was more concerned about his employees' ______ than their job satisfaction. In terms of Fiedler's contingency theory, this executive was most concerned with establishing ______ .
A) situational favorableness
B) Consideration
C) position power
D) goal commitment
E) empowerment quality

Accepted Answer

Situational favorableness is the degree to which a particular situation permitted the leader to influence the behavior of employees.

Question 7

According to the path-goal theory of leadership, what leadership style involves being friendly and approachable to employees, showing concern for them and their welfare, treating them as equals, and creating a friendly climate.
A) directive leadership
B) supportive leadership
C) leadership empowerment
D) achievement-oriented leadership
E) participative leadership

Accepted Answer

The described leadership style is supportive leadership, which is one of the four styles in the path-goal theory of leadership. This style involves being friendly and approachable to employees, showing concern for them and their welfare, treating them as equals, and creating a friendly climate. The other styles in this theory are directive leadership, achievement-oriented leadership, and participative leadership.

Question 8

In Fiedler's contingency theory, the term______ refers to the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, reward,and punish workers.
A) situational favorableness
B) leader-member relations
C) task structure
D) position power
E) situational unfavorableness
Refers to the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, reward,

Accepted Answer

Position power in Fiedler's contingency theory refers to the degree of control and influence a leader has over factors such as hiring, firing, and rewarding workers. This power can be used to both reward and punish workers, depending on their performance and contributions to the group. Therefore, D is the best choice as it specifically addresses the ability to reward and punish workers in Fiedler's theory.

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of a situational theory of leadership?
A) stimulus-response theory
B) trait theory
C) Fiedler's contingency theory
D) equity theory of leadership
E) charismatic theory

Accepted Answer

Fiedler's contingency theory is a situational theory of leadership that suggests that a leader's effectiveness is dependent on the situation at hand, such as the leader's style, the task being performed, and the characteristics of the followers. The other options are not situational theories of leadership. Stimulus-response theory is a theory of learning, trait theory focuses on innate traits of a leader, the equity theory of leadership deals with fairness in distribution of rewards, and the charismatic theory emphasizes the leader's personality and charm.

Question 10

W. L. Gore is the company that created Gore-Tex among many other innovative products. W.L.Gore employees (known as associates) don't have titles or bosses in the traditional sense. Instead, associates make commitments to work on projects that they believe are most worthy of their time. At W.L. Gore, few leaders are appointed; leaders simply emerge as needed by the other employees or the project itself. The Gore company more than likely adheres to the______ theory of leadership.
A) Contingency
B) Normative
C) Strategic
D) Trait
E) Visionary

Accepted Answer

The contingency theory of leadership states that in order to maximize work group performance, leaders must be matched to the situation that best fits their leadership style.

Question 11

A directive leader, one who lets his employees know precisely what is expected of them, give them specific guidelines for performing tasks, schedules work, set standards of performance, and makes sure that people follow standard rules and regulations would most likely have______ 
A) been very friendly with his employees
B) told employees precisely what he expected them to do
C) used employees' inputs before making decisions
D) assumed his employees would assume responsibility and put forth extraordinary effort
E) used delegation

Accepted Answer

A directive leader lets employees know precisely what is expected of them, gives them specific guidelines for performing tasks, schedules work, sets standards of performance, and makes sure that people follow standard rules and regulations.

Question 12

Which of the following leadership theories assumes that leadership styles are consistent and difficult to change?
A) path-goal theory
B) normative decision theory
C) the Vroom theory
D) the status quo theory of leadership
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of situational approaches to understanding leadership.

Question 13

Some employees called former General Electric, CEO Jack Welch, "Bloody Jack" because his restructuring efforts eliminated numerous jobs and product lines without thought about how individual employees were impacted. Mr. Welch was viewed as "the hatchet man," and the source of the firings. Under Fiedler's contingency theory, someone acting like Mr. Welch would be viewed as having______  .
A) an emphasis on initiating structure
B) a relationship orientation
C) weak position power
D) strong position power
E) an emphasis on consideration

Accepted Answer

Position power refers to the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, reward, and punish workers.

Question 14

In Fiedler's contingency theory, the term______  refers to the degree to which a particular situation either permits or denies a leader the chance to influence the behavior of group members.
A) situational favorableness
B) leader-member relations
C) task structure
D) position power
E) task favorableness

Accepted Answer

Situational favorableness refers to the degree to which a situation enables a leader to exert influence on the behavior of the group members. The theory states that the effectiveness of the leadership style depends on situational factors such as leader-member relations, task structure, and position power, which collectively contribute to the situational favorableness.

Question 15

According to which of the following leadership model occurs when leaders make it clear how followers can achieve organizational goals, take care of problems that prevent followers from achieving goals, and then find more and varied rewards to motivate followers who achieve those goals, these leaders are demonstrating _____________?
A) Fiedler's contingency theory
B) Blake and Mouton's leadership grid
C) the Vroom-Yetton-Jago normative decision model
D) the path-goal theory
E) the Boston Consulting Group leadership matrix

Accepted Answer

The described leadership model aligns with the path-goal theory, which emphasizes the leader's role in clearing the path for followers to achieve their goals and providing motivational support through incentives and rewards. Fiedler's contingency theory focuses on the leader's fit with the situation, Blake and Mouton's leadership grid assesses the leader's concern for people and production, the Vroom-Yetton-Jago normative decision model focuses on decision-making style, and the Boston Consulting Group leadership matrix assesses a leader's position within an organization.

Question 16

When Leon was hired to manage the distribution center, his supervisor advised him to "Do things that satisfy followers today or will lead to future rewards or satisfaction" and "Offer employees something unique and valuable beyond what they're experiencing or can already do for themselves". Leon's supervisor's advice was designed to help Leon become a successful leader. Which leadership theory does Leon's supervisor apparently believe to be most effective in making a good leader?
A) the trait theory of leadership
B) strategic leadership
C) the path-goal theory
D) the theory of initiating structure
E) the contingency theory

Accepted Answer

This theory states that leaders can increase subordinates' satisfaction and performance by clarifying and clearing the paths to goals and by increasing the number and kinds of rewards.

Question 17

Recently, a newly appointed CEO of a major corporation began by firing the entire management committee. A few months later, this same executive, fired two of his hand-picked senior executives. From this information, it is obvious that this executive was more concerned about his employees' performances than their job satisfaction. From this information, what type of leadership style is being used?
A) achievement-oriented
B) supportive
C) charismatic
D) directive
E) participative

Accepted Answer

A directive leadership style involves letting employees know precisely what is expected of them, giving them specific guidelines for performing tasks, scheduling work, setting standards of performance, and making sure that people follow standard rules and regulations.

Question 18

Larry Tobin is now president of Fairwinds Credit Union in Florida. After Mr. Tobin assumed the presidency at Fairwinds, he made several personnel changes. Which of the following seems most important to Tobin?
A) situational favorableness
B) initiating structure
C) position power
D) goal commitment
E) empowerment quality

Accepted Answer

Situational favorableness is the degree to which a particular situation permits the leader to influence the behavior of employees.

Question 19

Mr. Jan Carlson, the former CEO of Scandinavian Airline Systems (SAS), believes the most important role for a leader is to instill confidence in people. According to the path-goal theory, this statement indicates that his leadership style would be______  .
A) directive
B) achievement-oriented
C) employee-centered
D) supportive
E) job-centered

Accepted Answer

A supportive leader is friendly and approachable and by instilling confidence in workers, he or she improves their job satisfaction and their performance.

Question 20

Larry Tobin is now president of Fairwinds Credit Union in Florida where he started as a part-time teller. He's learned to ignore one bit of advice he's frequently heard, "Work with what you have." Tobin doesn't buy that view. He subscribes to the philosophy that calls for "having the right people on the bus and the right people in the right seats on the bus." After Tobin assumed the helm at Fairwinds, he made several personnel changes. This ability to make these personnel changes defines Tobin's______  .
A) employee orientation
B) position power
C) goal specificity
D) Instrumentality
E) tactical leadership skills

Accepted Answer

Position power is the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, and punish workers.

Quiz 13: Section 1: Motivation

Which of the following approaches to implementing Fiedler's contingency theory in the workplace has proven effective?

According to the path-goal theory of leadership,______ is very similar to considerate leader behavior.

Which of the following is NOT one of the four leadership styles identified in the path-goal theory of leadership?

According to the path-goal theory of leadership, what leadership style involves being friendly and approachable to employees, showing concern for them and their welfare, treating them as equals, and creating a friendly climate.

In Fiedler's contingency theory, the term______ refers to the degree to which leaders are able to hire, fire, reward,and punish workers.

Which of the following is an example of a situational theory of leadership?

A directive leader, one who lets his employees know precisely what is expected of them, give them specific guidelines for performing tasks, schedules work, set standards of performance, and makes sure that people follow standard rules and regulations would most likely have______

Which of the following leadership theories assumes that leadership styles are consistent and difficult to change?

In Fiedler's contingency theory, the term______ refers to the degree to which a particular situation either permits or denies a leader the chance to influence the behavior of group members.

Larry Tobin is now president of Fairwinds Credit Union in Florida. After Mr. Tobin assumed the presidency at Fairwinds, he made several personnel changes. Which of the following seems most important to Tobin?

Mr. Jan Carlson, the former CEO of Scandinavian Airline Systems (SAS) , believes the most important role for a leader is to instill confidence in people. According to the path-goal theory, this statement indicates that his leadership style would be______ .