Lesson 5

Question 1

Define leadership according to Robbins and Judge (2007).

Answer 1

Leadership is the ability to influence others toward achieving a goal.

Question 2

What is the main difference between leadership and management?

Answer 2

Leadership focuses on influencing and inspiring people, while management emphasizes planning, organizing, and controlling resources.

Question 3

Name the three main categories of leadership theories.

Answer 3

1. Trait theories
2. Behavioral theories
3. Situational (contingency) theories

Question 4

What do trait theories of leadership emphasize?

Answer 4

Certain personality traits or characteristics make individuals effective leaders. (Like the big 5 traits ECOEA)

Question 5

What do behavioral theories of leadership examine?

Answer 5

They study which specific behaviors are associated with successful leadership.

Eg: Ohio State Uni identified two key behaviors—initiating structure (task-focused) and consideration (Person / relationship-focused).

Question 6

Explain Fiedler’s Contingency Theory.

Answer 6

Leadership effectiveness depends on matching the leader’s style to the situation, based on leader-member relations, task structure, and position power.

Question 7

What are the four leader behaviors in House’s Path-Goal Theory?

Answer 7

1. Directive
2. Supportive
3. Participative
4. Achievement-oriented

Question 8

Name the three environmental variables in Path-Goal Theory.

Answer 8

1. Task structure
2. Formal authority
3. Work group autonomy

Question 9

How does Path-Goal Theory suggest leaders adapt to employees?

Answer 9

Leaders adjust their style based on employees’ experience, ability, and locus of control.

Question 10

What is locus of control?

Answer 10

Internal: Believes we influence outcomes

External: Believes we have no control in the outcomes

Question 11

What is the Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory?

Answer 11

It focuses on the quality of exchanges between leaders and followers, distinguishing between “in-group” and “out-group” relationships.

How good the followers respond / react.

Question 12

How does implicit leadership theory define leadership effectiveness (Lord and Maher, 1991)?

Answer 12

Leadership is perceived as effective if it matches followers’ implicit mental picture of what a leader should be.

Question 13

What is charismatic leadership?

Answer 13

A leadership style where leaders inspire and influence followers through their vision, energy, and personal traits.

Question 14

Why are charismatic leaders valued in organizations?

Answer 14

They often drive organizational success, and charismatic CEOs tend to receive higher compensation.

Question 15

What is the ‘super leader’ problem in charismatic leadership?

Answer 15

Over-reliance on one leader can lead to challenges in sustainability and organizational dependence.

Question 16

Define transactional and transformational leadership.

Answer 16

Transformational Leadership:
Leaders inspire and motivate followers to exceed expectations by creating a shared vision, fostering trust, and encouraging innovation.
(Associated with the charismatic leadership)

Transactional Leadership:
Focuses on clear structures, rewards, and punishments to achieve organizational goals.
Example: A sales manager offering bonuses for meeting targets. You work = I pay you

Question 17

Define charismatic and give examples of charismatic leaders.

Answer 17

Is a person with competing attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. Someone inspirational, self-confident, influential, entertaining.

ex: Hitler, Obama, Putin, Robin Williams.

Question 18

How do HRM practices mediate transformational leadership outcomes?

Answer 18

HRM helps communicate the leader’s vision, structure jobs to empower employees, and provide resources for development.

Question 19

How do transformational leaders influence HR practices?

Answer 19

They encourage commitment-oriented HR practices and motivate followers to develop.

Question 20

Explain the difference between leader development and leadership development.

Answer 20

Leader development focuses on individual skills, while leadership development builds interpersonal competence.

Question 21

Name activities used in leadership development.

Answer 21

1. 360-degree feedback
2. Coaching
3. Mentoring
4. Networks
5. Job assignments
6. Action learning

Question 22

How do followers influence leadership?

Answer 22

Feedback and accountability, support and trust, cultural expectations, challenging leadership, co-creation of vision.

Question 23

How does leadership function in practice?

Answer 23

Setting direction, building relationships, decision-making, empowering teams, adapting to change.

Question 24

What are the HRM implications of leadership?

Answer 24

Leadership development, succession planning, diversity and inclusion, employee engagement, performance management, culture building, conflict resolution.