Chapter 5 Homework

Normative Decision Model

Keith, a team leader, examines certain factors in a situation before selecting an appropriate decision-making style.

d. Mindy should consider the demands of the task before giving Tammy instructions and feedback, offering support when a task is challenging but letting Tammy work more independently when a task is familiar.

Tammy, the Head Chef, does not appreciate her supervisor Mindy giving detailed instructions for everything. Considering that Tammy is highly skilled and motivated, which action would help Mindy best lead Tammy according to the Path-Goal Theory of Leadership Effectiveness? a. Based on Tammy's characteristics as an employee, Mindy should refrain from giving instructions to Tammy and allow her to problem solve on her own. b. Mindy should adopt a supportive leadership style with Tammy based on her characteristics as an employee. c. Mindy should give feedback and guidance only on structured tasks. d. Mindy should consider the demands of the task before giving Tammy instructions and feedback, offering support when a task is challenging but letting Tammy work more independently when a task is familiar.

d. The manager presents the problem to the group in a meeting and helps them work towards consensus.

The manager of a small company decides to use the "facilitate" decision-making style to help his team make an important business decision. Which approach would be associated with the facilitate decision-making style? a. The manager engages the group in unstructured discussion to reach a decision, providing few guidelines or parameters so as to encourage creative problem solving. b. The manager gathers suggestions from group members in a meeting and then makes the decision, considering himself the final authority. c. The manager meets individually with group members to gather their input and suggestions before making the decision. d. The manager presents the problem to the group in a meeting and helps them work towards consensus.

b. More information or expertise is needed to solve a problem.

A consultative or collaborative decision-making style would likely be recommended in which situations? a. The team will likely already approve of the proposed decision. b. More information or expertise is needed to solve a problem. c. A time-sensitive problem needs to be resolved. d. A primary goal is the development of group members.

a. Dylan often consults with his subordinates for their inputs before making decisions on task allotment.

According to the path-goal theory, which example demonstrates a participative style of leadership? a. Dylan often consults with his subordinates for their inputs before making decisions on task allotment. b. Frank guides a highly skilled team of analysts by setting them challenging goals and pushing for achievement. c. John is a junior manager who plans and organizes his team's schedules and tasks and expects strict compliance from them. d. Audrey, a team leader, is an attentive listener and looks out for her team members' emotional well-being.

d. Choose different supervisory styles for the workers with developmental disabilities and the restaurant associates.

After receiving Tammy's feedback, Mindy thinks there are supervisory style problems at the Red Rascal. Mindy wonders if she should change her approach to leadership and the supervisory style she has been following. If you were Mindy, which action would you take? a. Stop providing positive feedback or encouragement to workers since it was not well received by Kurt or Tammy. b. Follow Jessica's orders of following directive and supportive leadership and treat all workers equally. c. Continue to provide clear, uncomplicated instructions to all workers. d. Choose different supervisory styles for the workers with developmental disabilities and the restaurant associates.

Contingency Approach to Leadership

Albert, a senior manager, varies his management style depending on the situation in his company.

Evidence-Based Leadership or Management

Employee empowerment has show positive results for Aries Inc. All team leaders and senior managers ensure that employees are given independence to take decisions.

Crisis Leadership

Matthew, the managing director of a food processing company, displayed tremendous courage and steered the company out of trouble when the company suffered huge losses.

d. Delegate

Maxwell, a project manager, asks his team to decide which enterprise software package to purchase. He provides them with information on the requirements and the budget, but he does not influence their decision, as he trusts his team to make the right choice. According to the normative decision model, which decision-making style does Maxwell use in this scenario? a. Consult (individually) b. Decide c. Consult (group) d. Delegate

c. Displaying optimism

Rostov, the owner of a coffee shop, reopens his store for business after a recent burglary. Many of Rostov's staff are still shaken by the burglary, but Rostov gives them a pep talk and plans to invest in a better security system for the shop. This gives Rostov's employees hope and energizes them. In this scenario, which action has Rostov taken to lead his team during a crisis? a. Analyzing the situation b. Stonewalling c. Displaying optimism d. Displaying compassion

d. Evidence-based

Sheryl knows that showing appreciation is an effective way to boost employee morale. When a usually silent team member, Yves, comes up with great ideas at a meeting, she sends an email to Yves thanking him for his valuable inputs. Since this incident, Yves regularly offers valuable inputs and feedback to Sheryl and other team members. In this scenario, Sheryl is practicing which style of leadership? a. Achievement-oriented b. Directive c. Relationship-oriented d. Evidence-based

b. Jessica should adopt a contingency approach to leadership.

Though Jessica was instructed by upper management to provide positive feedback and encouragement to workers, it backfired with Kurt and Tammy. Which action should Jessica take to resolve this situation? a. Jessica should provide less support and encouragement in the workplace. b. Jessica should adopt a contingency approach to leadership. c. Jessica should apply the normative decision model to her management practices. d. Jessica should adopt a more directive style with Kurt and Tammy.

Path-Goal theory of Leadership Effectiveness

Victor, a manager of a team of software engineers, works out targets and the ways to achieve them for each member of the team, resulting in personal benefits for team members.

Supportive Style

When a task is dissatisfying, frustrating, or stressful

Directive Style

When a task is unclear and team morale needs to be improved

Achievement-Oriented Style

When high expectations need to be set for team members performing ambiguous and nonrepetitive tasks

Participative Style

When the morale of employees performing nonrepetitive tasks needs to be improved

b. Wendell assigns work hours to employees who are less competent while allowing his motivated team members to choose their own schedule.

Which scenario demonstrates contingency leadership? a. Derek is a task-oriented leader, but he often finds himself managing teams that require relationship-oriented leadership and support. b. Wendell assigns work hours to employees who are less competent while allowing his motivated team members to choose their own schedule. c. April is an introverted team member who finds her supervisor's friendliness intrusive, though her teammates seem to appreciate it. d. Janet gives clear instructions to all her group members irrespective of their experience or skill level.