Leadership: Styles, Theories, Power and Influence in Organizations Questions

Question 1

Define power in OB.

Accepted Answer

Power is the capacity of a person to influence the behavior of others and get things done.

Question 2

What is legitimate power?

Accepted Answer

Legitimate power is power derived from formal position or authority in the organization.

Question 3

What is referent power?

Accepted Answer

Referent power is influence based on admiration, respect or charisma.

Question 4

Explain any three leadership styles.

Accepted Answer

Three leadership styles are:

1) Autocratic: leader decides alone; fast decisions but low participation.
2) Democratic: participation in decisions; better commitment and morale.
3) Laissez-faire: minimal direction; works with skilled, self-motivated teams.

Question 5

Define leadership.

Accepted Answer

Leadership is the process of influencing people so that they willingly work toward achieving organizational goals.

Question 6

State one difference between leader and manager (one point).

Accepted Answer

A leader focuses on vision and inspiring people, while a manager focuses on planning and control.

Question 7

What is autocratic leadership?

Accepted Answer

Autocratic leadership is a style where the leader makes decisions alone and expects followers to obey.

Question 8

Write any three qualities/traits of an effective leader.

Accepted Answer

Qualities of an effective leader (any three):

1) Integrity and honesty.
2) Confidence and courage.
3) Communication and interpersonal skills.

(Other valid qualities: vision, empathy, decision-making.)

Question 9

Differentiate between transformational and transactional leadership (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Transformational vs transactional leadership:

| Point | Transformational | Transactional |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | vision and change | exchange of rewards for performance |
| Method | inspires and empowers | monitors and corrects |
| Outcome | commitment and innovation | compliance and short-term results |

Question 10

Explain behavioral leadership approach (any three points).

Accepted Answer

Behavioral approach focuses on what leaders do. Key ideas:

1) Leaders show task-oriented behaviors (initiating structure/production focus).
2) Leaders show people-oriented behaviors (consideration/employee orientation).
3) These behaviors can be learned and developed through training.

Question 11

List French and Raven’s five bases of power (any three explanations).

Accepted Answer

Bases of power include legitimate, reward, coercive, expert and referent power.

Any three explained:
1) Legitimate: power from position.
2) Reward: power to give rewards.
3) Expert: power from knowledge/skill.

Question 12

State any three influence tactics used by leaders.

Accepted Answer

Influence tactics (any three):

1) Rational persuasion (use facts and logic).
2) Inspirational appeal (connect to values).
3) Consultation (involve others in decision).

(Other: coalition, ingratiation.)

Question 13

Explain leadership theories (trait, behavioral and situational) with a comparison table and conclude.

Accepted Answer

Leadership theories explain why some leaders are effective.

| Theory | Main idea | Strength | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trait theory | leaders have certain traits | highlights key personal qualities | ignores situation; no universal trait list |
| Behavioral theory | leadership is based on behaviors (task/people) | behaviors can be learned and trained | same behavior may not work everywhere |
| Situational/contingency theory | best style depends on situation and followers | flexible and practical | needs correct diagnosis of situation |

Trait theory emphasizes qualities like integrity and confidence. Behavioral theory focuses on what leaders do, such as task orientation and consideration. Situational theories say leaders must adapt depending on follower readiness and task conditions.

Therefore, modern leadership development combines personal qualities, trainable behaviors and situational understanding for effective results.

Question 14

Explain French and Raven’s bases of power with a neat table and give workplace examples.

Accepted Answer

Power is the ability to influence others. French and Raven identified five main bases of power used in organizations.

| Power base | Meaning | Workplace example |
|---|---|---|
| Legitimate | authority from position | supervisor assigns duties |
| Reward | ability to give rewards | bonus, promotion, praise |
| Coercive | ability to punish | warning for misconduct |
| Expert | knowledge and skill | IT expert guides decision |
| Referent | respect/admiration | employees follow a trusted leader |

A leader should use power ethically. Overuse of coercive power creates fear and turnover, whereas expert and referent power build trust and long-term commitment.

Thus, understanding power bases helps managers influence effectively and maintain healthy workplace relations.

Question 15

Discuss leadership styles and explain how a leader should choose a suitable style in different situations. Use a small table.

Accepted Answer

Leadership style is the pattern of behavior a leader uses to guide and influence employees. Common styles are autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire.

| Situation | Suitable style | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Crisis/urgent decision | Autocratic (short-term) | quick decisions are needed |
| Skilled team + participation needed | Democratic | increases commitment and quality ideas |
| Highly experienced, self-driven team | Laissez-faire (controlled) | autonomy improves creativity |

A leader should not follow one fixed style always. The best style depends on task urgency, employee competence, and organizational culture. A good leader is flexible—uses direction when needed, participation for complex decisions, and delegation when team maturity is high.

Therefore, choosing a suitable style based on situation improves performance and employee satisfaction.

Leadership: Styles, Theories, Power and Influence in Organizations

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