Leadership

Question 1

The captain of a team should be respected and should ensure that all players have a positive attitude.
Identify three characteristics of a good leader and explain the difference between an emergent leader and a prescribed leader. (3 marks)

Answer 1

3 marks for 3 of; A. Characteristics (any 3 from) confident/organised/inspirational/good communicator/knowledgeable/visionary/good decision maker/ interpersonal skills/approachable/ determined/empathy/charismatic/motivational/ equiv. B. Emergent leader – group approval/elected by the team C. Prescribed leader – appointed by external authority to lead the group

Question 2

Outline the characteristics of a favourable situation and name the style of leadership that should be used when this occurs. (4 marks)

Answer 2

A. Task-centred/task-orientated/autocratic leadership style Sub max 1 mark B. Leader respected by group C. Leader has good relationship with group D. Group highly motivated E. Group high ability/highly successful F. Clear task/goal/roles G. Good support network H. Good resources/equipment/facilities

Question 3

Distinguish between emergent and prescribed leaders (2 marks)

Answer 3

1. Emergent from within group/elected; (do not credit emerge)
2. Prescribed selected by someone outside the group/imposed. 2 marks

Question 4

Discuss the idea that leaders need to be adaptable in their approach (4 marks)

Answer 4

1. Successful leadership dependant on interaction; 2.There are a variety of leader characteristics/styles; 3. e.g. autocratic/democratic/laissez-faire; 4. Best to adapt style to situation/group/members characteristic/ 5. Individuals vary in preferred style of leadership; 6. And in expectations of leadership role; 7. e.g. task orientated/autocratic preferred in team sports/groups; 8. e.g. person orientated/democratic preferred in individual sports/moderately favourable situations; 9. Situation varies in terms of demands it makes of leader/state of group (age/size/gender)/dangerous/least favourable;
2. Task orientated/authoritarian approach needed when quick decisions needed/short preparation time available/least or most favourable situation.

Question 5

Name the two styles of leader that Fiedler (1967) identified and describe the different situations where each style is most effective. (5 marks)

Answer 5

1 Task and person relationship orientated/autocratic and democratic/authoritarian; sub max 1 mark 2 Task/autocratic/better in most and least favourable situations; 3 Better with (larger) groups/teams; 4 Better when quick decisions needed; 5 Dangerous situations; 6 Better when clear/impersonal goals; sub max 2 marks 7 Person/democratic – better in moderately favourable situations; 8 Better with small groups/individuals; 9 Better when quick decisions not needed/time to discuss sub max 2 marks 5 marks

Question 6

Chelladurai suggested additional factors that, other than the leader’s characteristics and different situations which must be taken into account when assessing the effectiveness of leadership. Identify and explain one of these factors (2 marks)

Answer 6

b) 1 Group members’ characteristics;
2 e.g. their experience/knowledge/attitudes/needs/age/ability/gender/personalities or 3 Performers expectations/preferred behaviour; 4 What the athlete wants/expects from coach/situation or 5 Performance outcomes/satisfaction; 6 Level of satisfaction that leadership gives to members/athlete. 2 mark

Question 7

Explain the term autocratic leader and outline when the autocratic style of leadership should be used.

Answer 7

A. (Autocratic leader) – makes all the decisions/no input from the team/focused on completing the task/not concerned about interpersonal relationships
B. (Situation) – limited time available
C. (Situation) – complex/dangerous task D. (Situation) – large number of people/performers
E. (Situation) – clear/specific goals F. (Situation) – decisions need to be made quickly
G. (Situation) – inexperienced so need to be told what to do /experienced so they are willing to accept instructions
H. Most favourable/least favourable

Question 8

Outline the role of a leader and explain the difference between a prescribed leader and an emergent leader. [3 marks]

Answer 8

A. (role of a leader) direct behaviour/influence others/ motivation/goal setting/provide guidance/provide feedback or equiv. B. (prescribed leader) appointed by an external authority to lead the group C. (emergent leader) appointed by the group /approved by the group
Do not accept Pt C – not just ‘from within the team’