Lesson 7: Path-Goal Theory

Question 1

What does directive leadership do?

Answer 1

Provides performance standards, gives instruction, time lines, makes rules and regulations clear.

Question 2

Path-Goal Theory suggest that…

Answer 2

Task and subordinate characteristics affect leadership effectiveness.
Subordinates with an external locus of control should be directed.
Leaders should help subordinates around their difficulties by removing obstacles.
(NOT ARTICULATE!)

Question 3

(T/F) According to path-goal theory, achievement-oriented leadership is most effective in settings where followers are required to perform unambiguous tasks.

Answer 3

False. Best with ambiguous tasks.

Question 4

(T/F) A disadvantage of path-goal theory is that its approach could foster subordinate dependency.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

(T/F) Participative leadership is effective with subordinates who have a strong need to control (internal locus of control).

Answer 5

True

Question 6

The need for directive leadership increases when employees

Answer 6

believe that outside circumstances control their lives (external locus of control).

Question 7

(T/F) Path-goal theory is a lot like coaching and giving guidance.

Answer 7

False

Question 8

The 3 main components of path-goal theory.

Answer 8

Leader style
Subordinate characteristics
Work setting (task characteristics)

Question 9

(T/F) Path-goal theory predicts that subordinates who have a strong need for affiliation prefer directive leadership.

Answer 9

False. Prefer supportive leadership.

Question 10

Is path-goal theory a…
Transformational theory?
Motivational theory?
Great person theory?

Answer 10

Motivational theory.

Question 11

(T/F) Path-goal leadership is not a trait approach that locks leaders into only one kind of leadership.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

From which style does path-goal theory suggest that leaders should respond to autonomous group members with unstructured tasks?

Answer 12

Participative style.

Question 13

(T/F) Path-goal leadership is an approach to leadership for which many management training programs have been developed.

Answer 13

False

Question 14

(T/F) In work settings where the formal authority system is weak, leadership becomes a tool that helps subordinates by making the rules and work requirements clear.

Answer 14

True

Question 15

From what style does the path-goal theory suggest that leaders should respond to dogmatic and authoritarian followers?

Answer 15

Directive style.

Question 16

(T/F) Path-goal theory is based on motivation principles drawn from Expectancy theory.

Answer 16

True

Question 17

What does using the path-goal approach, expectancy theory suggest?

Answer 17

Followers are motivated if they think completing a given task will result in a valuable payoff (not about reaching full potential).

Question 18

(T/F) According to path-goal theory, when jobs are very complex, supportive leadership should be provided.

Answer 18

False.