Management 12th Edition by Richard Daft

Exercise 11

Which Leadership Styles Are More Effective?
Step 1. Think about one situation in which a formal or informal leader was effective at motivating people, and another situation in which a leader was ineffective, perhaps demotivating people. When you have these situations firmly in mind, answer the following questions:
? What source or type of power was used by the effective leader? The ineffective leader?
? Did the effective leader emphasize a task-oriented or relationship-oriented style? Explain your rating. What about the ineffective leader?
? Did the effective leader come across as a humble person serving others or something larger than himself or herself, or did the leader seem ego-centered and self-serving? What about the ineffective leader?
Step 2. Divide into groups of three to five students. Compare your answers and look for patterns that distinguish effective from ineffective leaders across your group members' experiences. What patterns do you find?
Step 3. Each group member should describe the leadership situation, with respect to its "favorability" or "readiness of followers." What relationship do you observe between the leadership situations and the style that the leader used?
Step 4. Prepare to present your findings to the class and to participate in a discussion led by your instructor.