Leadership Assessment Theory Of Leadership 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which trait was consistently identified across early trait theory studies as most predictive of leadership emergence?
- Physical attractiveness
- Intelligence (Correct answer)
- Agreeableness
- Risk tolerance
Correct answer: Intelligence
Intelligence (cognitive ability) is among the most replicated predictors of leadership emergence and effectiveness in trait-based research.
Question 2: Robert Greenleaf's Servant Leadership model differs from most other leadership theories primarily because it:
- Emphasizes follower development over leader goal achievement (Correct answer)
- Focuses on situational factors above all else
- Requires leaders to have formal positional authority
- Prioritizes organizational profit as the ultimate measure
Correct answer: Emphasizes follower development over leader goal achievement
Servant leadership inverts the traditional hierarchy, placing the leader in service to followers' growth, well-being, and needs.
Question 3: In Adaptive Leadership theory (Heifetz), 'technical problems' differ from 'adaptive challenges' in that technical problems:
- Require collective learning and value shifts to resolve
- Can be solved with existing expertise and known solutions (Correct answer)
- Always involve external threats to the organization
- Are inherently more complex and time-consuming
Correct answer: Can be solved with existing expertise and known solutions
Technical problems have clear solutions that experts can apply, while adaptive challenges require stakeholders to change their beliefs or behaviors.
Question 4: The 'Great Man' theory of leadership assumes that:
- Leadership can be taught to anyone through proper training
- Effective leaders emerge from specific situational demands
- Leaders are born with innate qualities that make them naturally superior (Correct answer)
- Leadership effectiveness depends on follower characteristics
Correct answer: Leaders are born with innate qualities that make them naturally superior
The Great Man theory holds that certain individuals possess inherent, often heroic qualities that destine them for leadership.
Question 5: Ohio State University leadership studies identified two key behavioral dimensions. Which pair correctly names them?
- Task orientation and people orientation
- Initiating Structure and Consideration (Correct answer)
- Directive behavior and supportive behavior
- Production concern and people concern
Correct answer: Initiating Structure and Consideration
The Ohio State studies labeled the two dimensions Initiating Structure (task organization) and Consideration (relationship building).
Question 6: Which leadership theory best explains why a highly charismatic CEO might simultaneously inspire some followers and deeply alienate others?
- Trait Theory
- Situational Leadership
- Charismatic Leadership Theory (Correct answer)
- Path-Goal Theory
Correct answer: Charismatic Leadership Theory
Charismatic Leadership Theory acknowledges that charisma can elicit strong emotional reactions — both intensely positive identification and intense rejection.
Question 7: Authentic Leadership theory emphasizes that effective leaders must demonstrate:
- Unwavering decisiveness regardless of context
- Consistency between internal values and outward behavior (Correct answer)
- Strict adherence to organizational hierarchy
- High tolerance for ambiguity above all other traits
Correct answer: Consistency between internal values and outward behavior
Authentic leaders are self-aware and act in ways aligned with their core values, building trust through transparency and integrity.
Leadership Assessment Theory Of Leadership 3
Which trait was consistently identified across early trait theory studies as most predictive of leadership emergence?