Leadership Theories

Question 1

Great man theory

Answer 1

Leaders are born- not made.

Individual

Question 2

Trait theory

Answer 2

• Which key characteristic we should all pursue to lead effectively.
• Act like this and people will follow you.

Cons:

• Has identified lots of traits.
• No single set has emerged as the ideal for all circumstances. So is overwhelming to attempt this theory.

Question 3

Skills theory

Answer 3

Which key practical skills lead to effective leadership.

Means leaders need technical skills for credibility, people skills,conceptual skills (see big picture).

Question 4

Style theories

Answer 4

Autocratic, democratic, laissez fairs

Question 5

Situational theory

Answer 5

No model fits all. Different skills, styles and attributes fit better in certain situations.
Situation static- leader must adapt

Cons: followers might need consistency
Can be difficult to evaluate situation
Difficult to change/ adapt style

Question 6

Contingency theory

Answer 6

Effective leadership is contingent on matching the leader’s style to the setting.
Leader’s theory is static, pick right leader for situation.

Question 7

Transactional leadership

Answer 7

People follow based on incentives in place.
Leader should find right mix of rewards and punishment.

Relationship with followed in terms of exchange.
Motivated employees by appealing to self interest.

Question 8

Transformational leadership

Answer 8

• Encouraging, Motivating, Inspiring followers
• proactively transforming environment and relationships.
• acquiring followership rather than paying it or punishing non-compliance.

Relationship focus
Inspires and motivates by appealing to higher ideas and moral values.
Encourages employees to transcend their own interests for those in the group.

Question 9

Leader member exchange

Answer 9

Fair exchange between leader and follower.
Creates ingroup or outgroup to leader.
Affects performance of followers.
Lower performance= lower re…?

Question 10

Servant theory

Answer 10

Leader creates environment of trust and co-operation.
Reciprocal service= higher performance
Follow out of gratitude, not compulsion or fear.

Question 11

Tennenbaum- Schmid’s leadership behaviour continuum

Answer 11

Boss centre behaviour

Subordinate centred

Question 12

Theory X

Answer 12

People are:
Lazy
Irresponsible
Unmotivated

Question 13

Theory y

Answer 13

People can be:
Committed
Exercise sled-direction.
Exercise self control

Question 14

Autocratic leader

Answer 14

Makes decision without employee opinion.
Little communication or trust.
One person has power.

Question 15

Benevolent autocratic leader

Answer 15

• Has superficial, condescending trust in employees.
• inspires decisions- never delegates.
• motivates by rewards.
• sometimes involves subordination problem solving.
• makes employees feel involved although they are not.

Question 16

Participative leader

Answer 16

• has incomplete trust in employees.
• listens to employees but makes final decision.
• motivates by reward and some involvement.
• uses ideas and opinions of subordinates constructively.

Question 17

Democratic leader

Answer 17

Decisions carried out after group decision- participative approach.
Leader supportive of subordinates.
Shared ideas and opinions.
Motivates by reward for achieving goals set by employees.

Question 18

Fielder’s 1978 contingency model

Answer 18

Leader- member relations
Task structure
Position power

Question 19

Bratton and Gold (2007)

Answer 19

To be aware of variety, learn and approach them in different contexts.

Question 20

Avery and Bergsteiner (2011)

honeybee leadership style

Answer 20

• part of interrelated businesses and part of bigger eco system.
• Take care of environment.
• Benefit all involved state holders.
• long term

Question 21

Locust leadership style

Answer 21

Driven by short term profits
Seize opportunities regardless of impact on others.
Rewards self- interest