Question 1

Which of the following statements accurately reflects the conclusions about the trait theories of leadership?

Accepted Answer

Traits, particularly those from the Big Five personality framework, have been found to be good predictors of the emergence of leaders, although they may not always predict leadership effectiveness.

Question 2

Which theory of leadership differentiates leaders from nonleaders by focusing on personal qualities and characteristics?

Accepted Answer

Trait theory of leadership focuses on identifying specific personal traits and characteristics that differentiate leaders from non-leaders. It suggests that individuals with a certain set of traits such as ambition, intelligence, confidence, and integrity are more likely to become effective leaders.

Question 3

Leadership research has sought to identify all but which of the following attributes of leaders?

Accepted Answer

Leadership research typically focuses on personality, social, intellectual, and physical attributes, but communication abilities are often considered a skill rather than an inherent attribute.

Question 4

Nonsanctioned leadership refers to which of the following situations?

Accepted Answer

Nonsanctioned leadership occurs when an individual influences others outside of the formal organizational structures, meaning their influence is not based on a formal position or authority within the organization.

Question 5

Leaders who emerge from outside of the formal structures of the organization are called ________.

Accepted Answer

Nonsanctioned leaders are those who do not hold formal positions of authority but emerge as leaders through their actions, behavior, and influence within the organization. They may not have titles, but they have the ability to inspire and motivate others. Transformational and transactional leadership are styles of leadership, not necessarily related to how leaders emerge. Managers can be both formal and informal leaders, and mentors are typically appointed to guide and support specific individuals.

Question 6

Which of the following statements regarding leadership is true?

Accepted Answer

Nonsanctioned leadership, also known as informal leadership, refers to the ability to influence others without formal authority or position. This type of leadership is often based on personal qualities such as charisma, expertise, or communication skills. While formal rights and hierarchies can facilitate leadership, they are not necessary for effective leadership. Therefore, choice E is the correct statement.

Question 7

Early research efforts at isolating leadership traits resulted in a number of dead ends. A breakthrough, of sorts, came when researchers began ________.

Accepted Answer

Organizing leadership traits around the Big Five personality framework provided a more comprehensive and widely accepted model for understanding leadership traits. This approach identifies five broad dimensions of personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) that can help predict leadership effectiveness.

Question 8

Behavioral studies imply that people can be trained to be leaders.

Accepted Answer

Behavioral studies have demonstrated that leadership skills can be learned and developed through training and practice. This includes skills such as communication, decision-making, problem-solving, and motivation.

Question 9

Sharla, Thom, and Irving started working at the Golden Hotel one year ago. Though they were all hired at the same time and for the same position, Sharla is often viewed as being a leader on the team. Sharla is an example of a ________ leader.

Accepted Answer

Nonsanctioned leaders are those who assume leadership roles without being officially recognized or appointed as leaders. Sharla's situation, where she is viewed as a leader by her peers despite all being hired for the same position at the same time, exemplifies a nonsanctioned leadership role.

Question 10

Leadership research has been able to determine a formula of attributes which make a leader.

Accepted Answer

Leadership research has not been able to determine a single formula of attributes that make a leader, as leadership is complex and varies greatly depending on context, culture, and individual differences.

Question 11

Leaders who effectively display and manage emotions will ________.

Accepted Answer

Leaders who effectively display and manage emotions are better equipped to influence the feelings of their followers, which can be important for promoting cooperation and achieving organizational goals. Genuine enthusiasm is also an important aspect of effective emotional display, so option A is incorrect. Keeping commitments and focusing on self-interest may be related to emotional management but are not directly related to emotional display. Option E is not necessarily a positive trait and is not necessarily related to effective emotional management.

Question 12

Research has shown which two skills can be helpful for leaders in controlling the effects of their Dark Side traits?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that self-awareness and self-regulation can be helpful for leaders in controlling the effects of their Dark Side traits. Self-awareness helps leaders to recognize and understand their own negative tendencies and how they may impact others, while self-regulation allows them to manage and regulate their behavior in order to prevent or mitigate the negative effects. Emotional stability and openness to new experiences may be helpful for overall leadership effectiveness, but are not specifically linked to controlling Dark Side traits. Narcissism, on the other hand, is a Dark Side trait itself and is unlikely to be helpful in controlling the effects of other negative traits.

Question 13

Emotional intelligence (EI) is critical to effective leadership because one of its core components is ________.

Accepted Answer

Empathy is a key component of emotional intelligence, as it involves understanding and responding to the emotions of others. This skill is essential for leaders to effectively communicate with and motivate their team members.

Question 14

Navar is an Emotionally Intelligent, well-respected manager at a financial analytics firm. One day, Navar sensed something was wrong with one of his team members, Michael, and asked him what was wrong. Michael immediately started crying and telling Navar that his grandmother was sick and in the hospital. Being high in EI, which reaction is most likely for Navar?

Accepted Answer

Navar's first step as a manager should be to actively listen to Michael's concerns without interrupting or giving any advice or physical contact. This would show that he is there to support Michael and to understand his situation. Additionally, it is not appropriate to hurry Michael out of the room or to share one's own personal experience in such a situation. It is also not advisable to cry along with Michael as it might make him feel more upset and embarrassed. Telling Michael to regain his composure might sound cold and uncaring.

Question 15

According to research, which of the Big Five personality traits is the most important in effective leaders?

Accepted Answer

Extraversion is often considered the most important of the Big Five personality traits for effective leadership, as it encompasses assertiveness, social confidence, and the ability to motivate and engage with others, which are key leadership qualities.

Question 16

________ and ________ people are more likely to assert themselves in group situations.

Accepted Answer

Sociable people are more likely to engage with others in group situations, but it is those who are dominant who tend to assert themselves and take charge. Manipulative and stern traits may also contribute to assertiveness, but the question specifically asks for which traits are more likely to lead to assertiveness, not which traits can contribute to it. Withdrawn individuals are less likely to assert themselves in group situations.

Question 17

Your company's HR director is a believer in trait theories of leadership. He believes that he can differentiate leaders from nonleaders by focusing on personal qualities and characteristics. The HR director plans to promote Lawrence, a highly extraverted manager with a great deal of ambition and energy to the position of VP, Manufacturing. He asks for your expertise in helping him to apply trait theory to leadership selection within your company. The director believes that because of his innate characteristics, Lawrence will be highly effective at helping the company achieve its production goals. You advise the director against basing his decision purely on traits because ________.

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown that traits alone are poor predictors of leadership effectiveness. While characteristics like extraversion and ambition may be useful in certain situations, they are not enough to ensure that someone will be an effective leader. Other factors, such as situational context, follower characteristics, and the leader's actions and behaviors, also play important roles in leadership effectiveness. Therefore, it is important to consider a variety of factors when selecting leaders and not rely solely on traits.

Question 18

Leadership is best defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Leadership involves the ability to influence and guide a group towards the achievement of a shared vision or goals. It is not limited to just formal planning or implementation, handling day-to-day problems or using influence gained from one's position.

Question 19

Within organizations, leaders are needed to ________ and managers are needed to ________.

Accepted Answer

Leaders are responsible for inspiring and guiding organizational members towards a shared vision, while managers are responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring that tasks are executed efficiently. Both roles are important and necessary for the smooth functioning of an organization, but they have different focus areas and responsibilities.

Question 20

A comprehensive review of the leadership literature, when organized around the Big Five, has found conscientiousness to be the most important trait of effective leaders.

Accepted Answer

Research on the Big Five personality traits has found that extraversion, not conscientiousness, is most consistently associated with effective leadership.

Quiz 12: Leadership