Leadership

Question 1

What is leadership?

Answer 1

The process whereby an individual intentionally influences others to guide/structure/facilitate activities and achieve organisational goals

Question 2

What is the trait perspective of leadership?

Answer 2

Genetic, personal, physical or intellectual traits differentiate leaders from non-leaders

Question 3

What is a problem with research on effective leaders?

Answer 3

It often samples on the dependent variable - looks at firms which have succeeded and therefore presumably has a successful leader, cannot look at leaders which exhibit successful traits but may have failed

Question 4

What are some outcomes of the trait perspective?

Answer 4

Male/female leaders similarly effective
Extra version and openness good weak-moderate predictors of success
All big five except agreeableness were predictors of leadership emergence

Question 5

Summary of the trait perspective?

Answer 5

Traits significantly associated with leadership effectiveness - about 30%
Bigger predictor might be trainable factors - hence situational perspective

Question 6

Summarise situational perspective on leadership

Answer 6

Effectiveness of leadership styles depends on situations
Effective leaders change behaviour depending on situation

Question 7

Name three leadership styles

Answer 7

Democratic
Autocratic
Laissez-Faire

Question 8

Describe pros and cons of democratic leadership, and give an example

Answer 8

Many companies where participation is encouraged, members are equals and consulted, power is shared
Pros - intrinsic motivation increased, employee development improved
Cons - bad for employees lacking expertise, slow to make decisions

Question 9

Describe e pros and cons of autocratic leadership, and give an example

Answer 9

Leaders provide clear goals and are sole decision maker, such as in the army
Pros - great when leader has higher expertise than employees, and for high stress or urgent situations
Cons - lower intrinsic motivation, not good for employee development, incompetent leader fails

Question 10

Describe pros and cons of the Laissez-Faire leadership style, and what it looks like

Answer 10

Leaders provide limited instructions and have limited contact, let people do their job
Pros - works well when employees are experts
Cons - low productivity from lack of guidance, can produce low satisfaction and motivation