Overview of Chapter Questions. There are eight chapters in your leadership text. There are eight chapter questions assignments (this is one of them), which correspond to each of the chapters. After reading each chapter, you will complete one set of chapter questions and upload each group to Blackboard before the cutoff date and time specified in the syllabus.
I expect a minimum of 5 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font) for each set of chapter questions. Your chapter questions are listed below.
To receive credit, this assignment is to be done as an individual assignment (without collaboration with others).
Note cutoff dates and times. No late submittals are accepted.
Use spelling, grammar check, and page numbers.
Chapter Questions Assignments are an open book, open note.
Chapter Questions are a good study guide for your chapter exams, mid-term, and final.
I uploaded copy only. Please submit this assignment to Blackboard. Do not combine multiple submittals (single submittal only).
Please leave the questions visible (do not delete them before beginning your answer).
Here are your questions. Begin your answer immediately after each question (please maintain correct question numbering). Following along in the text as you please l completing your answers is the most productive way to benefit from this assignment. You may lift text directly from the text for this assignment (do not worry about citing the source).
Define leadership as written in the text.
Leadership is the act of inducing, and influencing followers to accomplish specific goals that represent the values, wants and needs aspirations, and expectations of both Leader and follower.
Define a directing leadership style.
It is a leadership style whereby the Leader defines the task to be accomplished and supervises the process closely.
List three traits attributed to directing leadership.
a. The Leader makes decisions.
b. The Leader supervises the work.
c.The followers accomplish the task.
Define coaching leadership.
Coaching leadership is where the leaders accept followers’ input and suggestions and then define tasks and supervise closely.
List three traits attributed to coaching leadership.
a. The Leader defines and supervises tasks.
b. Followers’ inputs are accepted.
c. Followers perform tasks.
Define supporting leadership.
Supporting leadership is where the Leader passes day-to-day decisions while the followers ensure that the end goal is achieved.
List three traits attributed to supporting leadership.
a. Leader passes day-to-day decisions to followers.
b. Leader facilitates work processes.
c. Followers ensure that the end goal is achieved.
Define delegating leadership.
Delegating leadership is when the Leader is only involved in significant decisions and problem-solving while the followers control work processes and outcomes.
List three traits attributed to delegating leadership. Decisions
a. Leaders are only involved in significant matters and problem-solving.
b. Followers are in control of work processes and outcomes.
c. Followers invite the Leader when they want their involvement.
Given the descriptions in the text regarding directing, coaching, supporting, and delegating styles, what kind of Leader are you, and why is this the case?
I am a coaching leader. Those I serve should be able to give their views and contribution. Listening to their ideas will produce better results since they carry out the tasks. Therefore most of the time, before I make a decision, I ensure that I consult my followers, and once we conclude, we follow the guidelines we agree on.
Does your choice of directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating style leader make you more or less effective, and why?
Listening to my followers and following some of their views has helped me get superior results than having all decisions made by me. I am a more effective leader since most of my projects are successful. I achieved this because of following the styles learned in this course.
The term group has been defined in the text. How does a group differ from an aggregation of people?
A group of people is a gathering of people who come together for a specific purpose and are bound by certain moral and philosophical beliefs and values. In contrast, an aggregation of people is simply a gathering of people.
Since groups are goal-directed, what implication(s) does this have for the Leader?
The Leader is bound to ensure that they satisfy individual followers’ needs and achieve the group’s goals. A leader may accomplish all set goals but still, be ineffective. A leader has to ensure they meet set goals and instill in the follower the desire to achieve future goals. Sometimes having to accomplish both of these actions becomes problematic to the Leader leading to failure. Hence, since groups are goal-oriented, the Leader has to overlook everything to achieve the set goal.
How will you assist the groups you supervise (either now or in the future) to be more goal-oriented?
I will ensure that individual followers are met, and then they know the goals we need to meet. I would also provide all the necessities for achieving the goals and lead in the best way possible. I will also encourage my followers to understand the goals we need to succeed and therefore put effort into ensuring that the goals are achieved.
How do power and authority relate to a leader’s position in the group?
People are considered leaders because of their rank in the group. A leader can only have power if the follower is willing to be led. A person may have power and authority but still need to be a leader in a group. Hence the position of a leader in a group only gives them strength and control sometimes.
List and discuss the types of power that a leader may use. What force and authority do you or would you use in your organization as a leader?
a. Representation, power-The Leader represents the interests of his followers to entities external to the group. The followers must listen to their Leader and depend on them for everything.
b. Purpose power-Missions of the group are given priority over the particular individual interest that arises. Followers’ interests should be prioritized. The Leader ensures that the group’s goal must be achieved at all costs.
c. Reward power-Influencing the behavior of people by promising a reward once specific goals are achieved is reward power. A leader promises a reward to followers on the condition that the set goal is achieved; hence, followers strive to meet the objectives.
d. Personal power elements- A leader has qualities that attract followers to emulate and follow them. Followers admire a leader with qualities they can emulate; hence they do all they can to be like their Leader.
e. Influence power-The Leader has the power to influence policy, operations, and the general group climate.
I would use all the above powers to achieve the set goals of my group and hence acquire effectiveness in everything.
Speculate on the meaning of leader effectiveness as it relates to the Hersey and Blanchard Contingency Model.
Leader effectiveness is where a leader can assess followers’ capabilities and choose appropriate relationship behavior. The accurate assessment of the right mix of this behavior will result in the most effective leadership style.
How do you see yourself applying Hersey and Blanchard’s theory in your work life to become a more effective leader?
I will first investigate my followers’ abilities to ensure that I allocate an individual in the area they will be most productive and also be able to know those with enough skills. I will need to do a follow-up to ensure that I know my followers well. I will also ensure that the group’s goal is achieved at the end.
What does the term maturity mean in the contingency model?
Maturity means that a follower moves from total reliance on the Leader for direction and support to the follower developing self-reliance and freedom in performing a task. A follower can do all that is required of them without being followed up by the Leader and achieve all the goals.
How do the term’s maturity and effectiveness relate?
Maturity is a follower being able to carry out the tasks without supervision and, after that being effective in production. Maturity and effectiveness relate in the sense that followers can carry out their duties without supervision and do not require a leader to be there to do what is expected of them. Therefore maturity leads to effectiveness in production and work.
Of what use is the grid model for identifying leadership style? Provide some reasoning for your coming to this conclusion.
The grid model helps leaders measure performance and evaluate their leadership style. The grid helps identify how leaders treat their followers and structure the work environment to meet the set goals. Having the x and y axis to show these aspects helps one identify how a leader treats his followers and what they do to achieve the goals. After having the grid in leadership, a leader can identify the most effective style of leadership which will lead to effectiveness.
Given your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience, identify a group you led (or led in the past) and state its group task situation.
I was involved in an organization meant to clean a marketplace. Groups were done, and each group was given a potion of work. I was made the group leader to ensure that everyone participated in the work. We divided the work equally and did not exempt anyone and the work was done perfectly. As a leader, we set the goals we needed to accomplish and the period of achieving them and allocated everyone the place of work they were most suitable for. Followers portrayed maturity since they did not expect supervision, and they all carried out their tasks perfectly.
How could you use the Fiedler Model to adopt the most effective leadership styles for the group task situation (GTS)?
I would ensure a good relationship between myself and my followers, introduce rewards and punishment concerning performance and then put in place the group’s tasks, goals, and objectives to assess goal attainment. Having set the purposes of the group, I promise a reward to any follower who achieves the goals set in time.
Define theory X and theory Y.
Theory x stresses the importance of strict supervision of followers by a leader to ensure that goals are achieved. In contrast, theory y focuses on the motivating role of satisfying workers without direct supervision.
What is the positive and negative significance of theory X and theory Y to the study of leadership (how do X and Y affect administration)?
Theory X assumes that all people dislike work and need to be directed and avoid responsibilities hence the need for strict supervision. Therefore, this creates an environment where a leader and follower need better interpersonal relationships since the Leader has to be severe to ensure the goals are achieved. The Leader does not appreciate followers who do good work since the assumption is that followers must be directed since they avoid responsibilities.
Theory Y motivates workers without direct supervision, leading them to commit to their goals and satisfying their ego and self-actualization. This theory explains followers as people who can carry out their tasks without charge so long as there is motivation. The followers do everything to achieve the goals.
How do armchair theories differ from situational, contingency, and grid leadership theories?
Armchair theories are based on personal experience, conjecture, and personal feelings and do not include collecting new ideas. They are developed after a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of current research. The armchair theory is different from all these other theories, which are not based on interpersonal relationships.
Given your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience, how may organizational structure affect leadership style?
The organizational structure determines how the roles, power, and responsibilities are assigned, controlled, and coordinated and how information flows between the different levels. Leaders, therefore, must depend on those above them in the chain of command to receive all the required information and other needs. In case there is a weak leader in the chain of command, there is usually a setback when it comes to production since they may give guidelines that could be better. In case there is a need for immediate intervention and the leaders higher in the chain are not present, a delay may be experienced, and the set goal may not be achieved.
Given your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience, how does organizational philosophy affect the leadership environment? Think in terms of theory X, Y, or Z.
The Leader can allocate duties, make decisions and manage individual behavior within the organization. A leader is also able to relate with his followers and therefore be able to achieve the group’s goal. The Leader is consequently able to determine how the group’s goals can be achieved by guiding their followers in the right direction.
How do you think most organizations in the United States operate, either democratic or autocratic? Why do you think that this is the case?
Most organizations in the united states operate in an autocratic manner. This is because most of the organizations are headed by the owners who want effectiveness in their organization and believe this can only be achieved by them being the decision makers of their organizations. Therefore, they take responsibility for being the decision-makers of their businesses, and the followers must always do what their Leader wants.
The Time Lag Concept provides some valuable information for the Leader. What are some of its lessons?
a. A leader should identify the causes of failure in the organization they are leading.
b. The Leader should also identify the intervening variables affected by causal variables.
c. The first two variables will later on bring the results, which will be positive since, with time, the desired effect will be achieved.
d.The Leader should put in place actions that will bring better results.
How could you apply Time Lag Concept to your future (or past) job as a leader?
I will look at what makes my job the way it is, put in place measures to improve the conditions, and ensure that these measures are followed, and later on, the results will be positive. I would also put in place measures to ensure that the business keeps bringing better results with time. I also put in place plans that will be followed in the future, keeping in mind that we will acquire the best results with time.
Within the realm of democratic and autocratic leadership, where does your work environment fit? Approach your answer from the top level of the organization and down to you. When answering this question, consider your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience.
My current work environment is autocratic since decisions are passed down the chain of command and must be followed as they are. There is usually no room for giving views since once decisions are made, they must be followed. In case one needs anything, they must consult the Leader who gives back directions to be followed.
Given your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience, name a group in which you have been a member and that you felt was successful. Think about this group for a moment; address your answers to the questions below:
Describe the group.
The group was a ten-member group headed by a chairperson. The decisions of the group are made by all members by everyone giving their points, and the issues that all members support are followed. The group was meant to clean at a marketplace near my home. We set the goals we needed to achieve by the end of the process and appointed leaders who would lead us.
What was your job in the group?
I was the discipline master of the group. I ensured that all the rules to guide the group were followed, and those who broke any of them were punished. Besides that, I was also involved in the cleaning since we all decided that all of us would do the work equally.
Were you asked to take a leadership role, or did you assume a leadership role, and why or why not?
Members agreed that I was the appropriate person to take the role since I am strict and fair. This role required a person who would ensure that the members followed the rules and that no one could be exempted from these rules.
How old were you at the time?
I was 20 years old.
Were you suited for the task of leadership or followership (why or why not)?
I was suited for the task since I am usually very fair and strict. I am also a very hardworking person, and I typically follow set rules of any organization. I am also a person who ensures that goals set are met.
How would you describe the atmosphere of this group?
Members of the group were cooperative, and our chairperson was an excellent leader; everything went as planned.The relationship between the leaders and followers was perfect and followers were free to give their contributions so long as it led to meeting of the set goals.
Did you enjoy your role as Leader or follower (why or why not)?
I enjoyed my role as the discipline master since we could achieve our goals, and the members did not despise me; instead, they followed all the rules without being pushed. The members also gave good information which helped in achieving our goals and none of them waited to be guided on how to do their work.
What was your main objective as a leader or follower?
My main objective as a leader was to ensure that all rules were followed to achieve our goals. I also ensures that followers knew what was expected of them at all times.
Were you successful as a leader, or were you a follower (why or why not)?
I was successful since I did not find myself in a situation where I had to punish anyone.The goal of the group was also achieved in the time we had set.
Given your present or past work, volunteer, or school experience, what would you do differently (than in the past) to be more successful and effective in a group situation, either as a leader or follower (knowing what you know now)?
As a leader, I consider everyone’s needs and, at the same time, put in place measures that will ensure we achieve effective results. I also put in place measures that will ensure that followers are comfortable in the work environment, provide all necessities and ensure that followers acquire skills that they did not have previously.
