Deck 10: A: leadership and Decision Making in Groups

Question 1

Is a masculine or a feminine leadership style more effective? Are there contexts or particular kinds of groups where you believe a masculine style or a feminine style would be more or less effective?

Answer 1

Ideal answers will show a clear understanding of what constitutes masculine and feminine leadership. Traditionally masculine leadership is viewed as less effective in today's workplace than it once was. This may be a result of globalization and its rippling effects on the way we do business. The second question is meant to provide the student with an opportunity to show critical thought about the subject through analysis, application, and evaluation-there are no right or wrong answers as the material is expressed in the text. - Masculine-emphasizes command and control. Power is viewed as centralized in a leader who is hierarchically higher up than the followers. The leader has the ability to order followers around. - Feminine-emphasizes relationships. Work and outside relationships are viewed as interdependent and the boundaries as flexible. Female leaders may be more likely to empower employees to develop professionally as well as personally, gaining their loyalty along the way, as well as develop valuable skills in their followers.

Question 2

Frank wants to start a gaming club at his college. He knows there are other students who are interested in joining the club, but he will need to take responsibility for leading the group through the forming and into the norming stages of development. Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter, what recommendations do you have for Frank to help him function effectively as a leader for this group? Consider what type and style of leadership might work well, the forces that might shape how the group interacts, and the process group members should take to accomplish their goals.
Answer Key

Answer 2

There are no absolute right and wrong answers to this question. However, ideal answers will synthesize recommendations, showing some understanding of the following considerations: Frank should consider the type of power he has over the group. Is he elected to this position? Does he have the respect of group members? Does he have knowledge or expertise? Is he able to reward them? What type of group is he working with, and what type of leader does the group need? Do group members need direction? Are they competent and motivated to participate in helping Frank define the group's goals and actions? Are they frustrated and in need of emotional support? Are they ready to achieve greatness?

Question 3

Synthesizing what you have learned throughout this chapter and others, what behaviors would you label as unethical for a leader to use?

Answer 3

Ideal answers will focus on coercion and the use of coercive power as unethical. In addition, they may focus on unethical use of language that is aggressive, racist, sexist, and so on, to bully or harass group members. Attention may also be placed on unethical listening behaviors such as ambushing and monopolistic listening. Students should not be expected to identify every potentially unethical behavior, but they should show an ability to connect the material from various subject areas to the concept of leadership and demonstrate a clear understanding of what constitutes unethical behavior (a subject discussed in each chapter). Synthesis will also vary depending on the order of chapter coverage a particular instructor has chosen.

Question 4

Consider someone you have worked with whom you would characterize as a highly effective leader. What kinds of power does this person use to influence group members? What type of leadership style does he or she use? What does he or she do well to make sure that meetings are managed effectively?

Question 5

Consider two groups you have participated in: one that was successful in accomplishing its goals and another that was either not successful or that struggled to accomplish its goals. Briefly describe each group and compare the way the two different groups went about solving their problem or coming to a decision. What did one group do well that the other one did not? What could the unsuccessful group do to become more efficient?

Question 6

Briefly define the five sources of power and describe how various leaders you have interacted with use each type of power.

Question 7

Compare and contrast the four group leadership styles, including directive, participative, supportive, and achievement-oriented. Identify groups in which you have been involved where the leader used each style. With which group(s) did you feel the most satisfied, and with which ones did you feel the least satisfied? Why do you think this is?

Question 8

You have just been elected president of your school's student government. Based on what you have read in this chapter, describe the steps you need to take to be effective at running the group's meetings.

Question 9

Using a group you have participated in as the example to illustrate your answer, compare and contrast the three forces (cognitive, psychological, and social) that influence a group's decision making.

Question 10

Describe, in detail, the three considerations one would use to evaluate a group's performance.