(Chapter 2) Leading & Communicating in the Workplace

Question 1

What are trait theories?

Answer 1

Trait theories maintain that effective leaders share common traits, beliefs, and thought processes.

Question 2

Define Autocratic Leadership

Answer 2

make decisions with little/no input from their subordinates - dictate what needs to be done and how to do it.

Question 3

What is the benefit of autocratic leadership?

Answer 3

useful when quick decisions are needed but input is not.

Question 4

Define democratic leadership

Answer 4

offer guidance to the team but allow team members to provide input before making a decision

Question 5

What is the benefit/difficulty of democratic leadership?

Answer 5

It’s effective when team agreement matters, it can be challenging with individual perspectives and ideas clash

Question 6

Define laissez-faire leadership

Answer 6

allows team members to make many decisions on their own

Question 7

What kind of team functions best with laissez faire leadership?

Answer 7

Laissez faire leadership works best with the team is skilled, motivated, and does not need close supervision.

Question 8

What are the five forms of power, identified by John French and Bertram Raven

Answer 8

legitimate, reward, coercive (all positional power) & expert, referent (charisma types)

Question 9

What type of power is considered more effective?

Answer 9

Personal power (expert or referent) specifically expert

Question 10

What is situational leadership

Answer 10

the ability for leaders to adapt their leadership style to the needs of the individual, team, organization

Question 11

What are the four types of leadership acknowledged by situational leadership

Answer 11

directing, coaching, supporting, delegating

Question 12

which style (directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating) is best for employees who are competent but are not fully committed to the role or organization

Answer 12

supporting

Question 13

which style (directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating) is best for employees who are new to their role or organization and not yet knowledgable; but are highly committed and excited about tasks

Answer 13

directing

Question 14

which style (directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating) is best for employees who have begun to develop their skill set, though training and guidance are still needed

Answer 14

coaching

Question 15

Explain expectancy theory

Answer 15

individuals are motivated by their perceived expected outcome; if an individual thinks there will be a positive reward, they are more likely to perform. the verso is also true.

Question 16

what is bureaucratic leadership, and when is it best used

Answer 16

follows rules closely and expects the same of their team members - best for when working in dangerous conditions (operating heavy machinery, etc)

Question 17

what is charismatic leadership and what is a downside

Answer 17

style seeks to inspire and motivate team members. However, leaders that rely on charisma often focus on themselves and their ambitions more than the organization. Also, they may seem infallible which may damage the organization if inapropriate decisions are made

Question 18

What is a servant leader and some pros and cons?

Answer 18

leads by meeting needs of the team. pros: lead by example, lead with integrity, foster a positive culture and high morale. cons: requires time and dedication, not compatable with more rigid types of leadership

Question 19

what are transformational leaders?

Answer 19

expect individuals to meet their potential and take personal responsibility for their own actions; inspirational and set clear goals and are able to resolve conflict

Question 20

what is a psychological contract

Answer 20

refers to a set of expectations that are established between two parties (employers, managers, employees, coworkers) - breaking a psychological contract can lead to disengagement and turnover as the parties experience a loss of trust

Question 21

What are the four developmental sequences of a group?

Answer 21

forming, storming, norming, performing

Question 22

what is relationship conflict?

Answer 22

describes the natural conflict btwn individuals that affects how employees work together, and the social issues surrounding interactions

Question 23

what is task conflict?

Answer 23

when parties disagree about the content or outcome of tasks, procedures, or goals - focuses on “what” should be done

Question 24

what is process conflict?

Answer 24

disagreement over HOW task is accomplished

Question 25

what is principled bargaining?

Answer 25

happens when both sides focus on objective outcomes, eliminating emotional disagreements or grandstandings. Elements include: separating emotions from the problem, focusing on interests rather than positions, looking for options that include mutual gains, and using objective criteria

Question 26

Which form of conflict resolution focuses on meeting the needs of both parties?

Answer 26

collaborating

Question 27

which form of conflict resolution results in both sides losing?

Answer 27

avoiding

Question 28

what is the outcome of “compromising” conflict resolution

Answer 28

both sides win a little, lose a little

Question 29

what is “competing” style of conflict resolution

Answer 29

each side pursues their own interests, focusing on short term gains - used when they need to act quickly or theres no room to negotiate

Question 30

what is a high context culture?

Answer 30

a culture where there are many unwritten rules; norms may not be clearly articulated, people may rely more on body language and emotions may not be openly expressed

Question 31

what is the power distance index of culture difference?

Answer 31

the extent that inequality in power is accepted

Question 32

what is individualism vs collectivism

Answer 32

to what degree individuals are reliant on or obligated to others

Question 33

what is uncertainty avoidance

Answer 33

to what extent uncertainty and risk are accepted

Question 34

what is masculinity vs feminity (i have some qualms with this one but whatever)

Answer 34

attitude toward gender equality - a “masculine culture” has distinct gender roles, a “feminine culture” is more fluid

Question 35

what is short term vs long term orientation (culture)

Answer 35

how much a culture views future rewards versus present gratification

Question 36

what is indulgence versus restraint (culture)

Answer 36

the degree to which a culture controls or regulates gratification

Question 37

what is internal vs external direction in a culture?

Answer 37

internal direction - individuals believe they can control their environment; external - individuals believe they work with the environment they are given

Question 38

what is universalism vs particularlism

Answer 38

universal - focuses on consistent rules for all, particular - focuses on relationships and embraces decisions based on nepotism

Question 39

what is specific vs diffuse in culture

Answer 39

specific - work and home are kept separate, in diffuse - these two parts of life are connected

Question 40

what is neutral vs affective culture

Answer 40

neutral - people conceal emotions, affective - people are emotionall demonstrative, even in the workplace

Question 41

achievement vs ascription cultures

Answer 41

achievement culture - individuals gain status through knowledge and skills - ascription - individuals have status based on predetermined position or connections

Question 42

what are schein’s three levels of organizational culture?

Answer 42

artifacts, values, and basic assumptions

Question 43

what is an expatriate

Answer 43

employees living outside their home countries