Lecture 4 - Leadership

Question 1

What is leadership?

Answer 1

Leadership has traditionally been seen the ability and capacity to influence others

Question 2

Describe Mullins Trait theory of leadership?

Answer 2

• assumes leaders are born and not made
• attention is given to the selection of leaders, rather than to training for leaders

Question 3

What three limitations does Mullins highlight with the traits based approach?

Answer 3

• There is bound to be some subjective judgement in determining who is regarded as ‘good’ or ‘successful’
• Lists of possible traits tend to be very long and there is not always agreement on the most important
• Ignores situational factors

Question 4

What are the two key dimensions of leader behaviour from Ohio state university?

Answer 4

• Initiating structure - the defining and structuring of roles
• Consideration - job relationships that reflect trust and respect

Question 5

What are the two key dimensions of leader behaviour found in university of Michigan?

Answer 5

• Employee-orientated - emphasises interpersonal relationships and is the most powerful dimension
• Production-orientated - emphasises the technical aspects of the job

Question 6

What are three key contingency theories of leadership?

Answer 6

• Fielders model
• Hersey & Blanchard’s situational leadership theory
• Path-goal theory

Question 7

Describe the Fiedler’s model?

Answer 7

• Effective group performance depends on the proper match between leadership style and the situation
• Considers leader-member relations, task structure, and position power

Question 8

Describe Fiedler’s cognitive resource theory?

Answer 8

• Focuses on stress as the enemy of rationality and creator of unfavourable conditions
• Argues a leader’s intelligence and experience influence his or her reaction to that stress

Question 9

Describe Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership?

Answer 9

• Followers can accept or reject the leader, and effectiveness depends on the followers response to the leaders actions
• Based on the readiness level of the people the leader is attempting to influence

Question 10

Describe the Path-goal theory?

Answer 10

• Argues that the individuals motivation is dependent upon expectation that increased effort to achieve improved performance will be successful.
• Improved performance will be instrumental in obtaining positive rewards and avoiding negative outcomes.

Question 11

What are House’s Path-Goal theory four types of leaders?

Answer 11

• Directive - focuses on the work that needs to be done
• Supportive - focuses on the well-being of the worker
• Participative - consults employees in decision-making
• Achievement-orientated - sets challenging goals