Leadership Assessment Theory Of Leadership 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Blake and Mouton's Managerial Grid, the '9,9' style (Team Management) is characterized by:
- Maximum concern for production, minimal concern for people
- High concern for both production and people (Correct answer)
- Moderate concern for both production and people
- Minimal concern for production, maximum concern for people
Correct answer: High concern for both production and people
The 9,9 Team Manager achieves high production by building committed, interdependent teams where both task and relationship needs are fully met.
Question 2: Transformational leadership theory predicts that leaders who exhibit 'idealized influence' are likely to:
- Monitor subordinates for rule violations
- Be viewed as role models worthy of emulation (Correct answer)
- Delegate all decision-making to followers
- Focus exclusively on short-term performance targets
Correct answer: Be viewed as role models worthy of emulation
Idealized Influence is the charismatic component of transformational leadership where followers admire and want to emulate the leader.
Question 3: A manager rewards employees with bonuses for meeting targets and withholds rewards when targets are missed. This exemplifies which leadership approach?
- Transformational Leadership
- Laissez-Faire Leadership
- Contingent Reward (Transactional Leadership) (Correct answer)
- Servant Leadership
Correct answer: Contingent Reward (Transactional Leadership)
Contingent Reward is a transactional behavior where outcomes (rewards or penalties) are tied directly to performance against agreed-upon targets.
Question 4: The concept of 'substitutes for leadership' (Kerr & Jermier) argues that:
- Strong leaders always outperform average leaders regardless of context
- Certain situational factors can render leadership unnecessary or ineffective (Correct answer)
- Followers should substitute their own judgment for the leader's directives
- Leadership style should substitute for formal organizational structure
Correct answer: Certain situational factors can render leadership unnecessary or ineffective
Substitutes for leadership identifies factors (like follower professionalism or task clarity) that can neutralize or replace the need for leader behavior.
Question 5: Which theoretical lens would most directly explain a leader's effectiveness in terms of followers' perceptions and attributions rather than the leader's actual behaviors?
- Behavioral Theory
- Trait Theory
- Romance of Leadership (Correct answer)
- Situational Leadership Theory
Correct answer: Romance of Leadership
The Romance of Leadership perspective holds that followers over-attribute organizational outcomes to leaders, creating idealized perceptions that may not reflect reality.
Question 6: In Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership model, which leadership style is most appropriate for a follower who is highly competent but has low commitment?
- Directing (S1)
- Coaching (S2)
- Supporting (S3) (Correct answer)
- Delegating (S4)
Correct answer: Supporting (S3)
S3 Supporting involves high relationship/low task behavior — ideal for competent followers who lack confidence or motivation.
Question 7: Which statement best distinguishes leadership from management according to most contemporary leadership theories?
- Managers inspire change while leaders maintain stability
- Leadership is about influencing people toward a vision; management is about controlling systems and processes (Correct answer)
- Management requires more interpersonal skill than leadership
- Leaders focus on short-term results; managers focus on long-term vision
Correct answer: Leadership is about influencing people toward a vision; management is about controlling systems and processes
Kotter and others distinguish leadership (setting direction, aligning people, motivating) from management (planning, organizing, controlling).
Leadership Assessment Theory Of Leadership 4
In Blake and Mouton's Managerial Grid, the '9,9' style (Team Management) is characterized by: