Leadership And Organizational Behavior Flashcards

Which of the following response options is a concrete illustration of the ingratiation power tactic?

Answer: You're walking down the street and a stranger tells you that you look like an intelligent person, then asks if you would sign their petition.

Ingratiation is a power tactic that involves using flattery, praise, or friendly behavior to make someone like you, thereby increasing your influence over them. In option D, the stranger uses a compliment ('you look like an intelligent person') to build rapport and create a positive impression before making a request. This attempt to gain favor and influence through charm is a classic example of ingratiation.

A leader is striving to ____ employee ____ when they provide a clear vision for the business, inspire workers, mentor them through the job process, and foster a positive work environment.

Answer: Influence; behavior

Leadership fundamentally involves influencing others to achieve organizational goals. By providing a clear vision, inspiring, mentoring, and fostering a positive environment, a leader aims to shape and direct employee behavior in ways that align with the company's objectives. While leaders might also create goals, update attitudes, or change skills, the overarching purpose of these actions is to influence the desired behaviors and performance of their team.

In her position as manager of the post-production crew at a film company, Marcie is skilled at getting things done. Her team members respect her depth of industry knowledge and comply with her requests. But lately, someone asked for time off due to a family member's illness, and Marcie grew irate, telling the worker she couldn't believe they would ask at such a busy time. What specific area could Marcie work on?

Answer: Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence involves understanding and managing one's own emotions, as well as recognizing and influencing the emotions of others. Marcie demonstrates strong expert power and task orientation but lacks empathy and self-management in her reaction to the employee's personal situation. Her inability to handle her frustration appropriately and respond with understanding indicates a need to develop her emotional intelligence, particularly in areas like empathy and emotional regulation.

Without a formal title, a person can become a leader in business if they have the aptitude to ____ and ____ followers.

Answer: Motivate; inspire

Informal leadership often emerges from an individual's ability to influence others through their personal qualities and actions, rather than formal authority. The capacity to motivate and inspire others is crucial for this. By motivating, they encourage action, and by inspiring, they instill enthusiasm and commitment, drawing people to follow their lead even without a designated leadership title.

Imagine that chocolate is suddenly more difficult to find. This resource, which is in high demand among customers, cannot be replaced by any other materials that are currently known. What is expected to occur as a result of this situation?

Answer: Those in possession of chocolate will likely become more powerful.

This scenario illustrates the concept of resource dependence and power dynamics. When a resource is scarce, in high demand, and non-substitutable, those who control access to it gain significant power. The scarcity increases its value, and the lack of alternatives means others are dependent on those who possess it, thereby enhancing their influence and bargaining position.

Which of the following represents informal power the best?

Answer: A front-line employee encourages fellow employees to take a lunch break, rather than skipping it, in order to maintain their productivity throughout the afternoon.

Informal power stems from personal attributes, expertise, or relationships, rather than a formal position or title. In option D, a front-line employee, without official authority, influences their peers' behavior through persuasion and concern for their well-being and productivity. Options A, B, and C all describe actions taken by individuals in formal management roles, exercising their legitimate power.

Which of the following represents informal power the best?

Answer: A manager notices a fellow manager doing an excellent job and tells their mutual supervisor about this good work.

Informal power is often exercised through personal influence and relationships, rather than formal authority. In option C, a manager uses their personal credibility and relationship with a mutual supervisor to positively influence the perception and potential recognition of a peer. This act of advocacy, not tied to their formal duties, demonstrates informal power through networking and social capital.

A corporation is planning to split its customer service division into two separate departments: customer account support and technical support. Customer service department manager is opposed to the change, but no one has paid attention to his worries. Which of the following responses to this situation would MOST likely be considered respectable politics?

Answer: The manager develops a report that details the problems that will result from the department division and some potential solutions to the problems if the split happens.

Respectable organizational politics involves using influence tactics in a constructive and ethical manner to achieve desired outcomes, often by providing well-reasoned arguments and solutions. Option A demonstrates this by presenting a detailed, fact-based report that not only highlights potential issues but also offers solutions. This approach is professional and aims to inform decision-makers, contrasting with the manipulative or disruptive tactics described in the other options.

Which of these claims applies to the interaction between managers and subordinates?

Answer: All of these answers are correct.

This question covers fundamental aspects of the manager-subordinate relationship. Managers hold formal authority, meaning subordinates are expected to follow due to their job roles and titles. Managers are also inherently accountable for their team's performance and behavior, not just their own, and a core function is to achieve organizational goals efficiently through systems and processes. All options accurately describe key facets of this interaction, making 'All of these answers are correct' the right choice.

How can a leader lose influence?

Answer: If the leader fails to motivate and inspire his/her followers

A leader's influence is primarily derived from their ability to guide, motivate, and inspire their followers towards a common vision or goal. If a leader cannot effectively engage and energize their team, their capacity to influence decisions and actions diminishes significantly. Failing to motivate directly undermines the essence of leadership influence, making it the most direct way a leader can lose impact.

How do roles of informal and formal leadership differ?

Answer: Personality traits are more important in informal leadership roles

Formal leadership roles are defined by official titles and delegated authority within an organizational structure. In contrast, informal leadership emerges from an individual's personal qualities, expertise, and ability to influence others through charisma, respect, or strong interpersonal skills, rather than official power. Therefore, personality traits like trustworthiness, empathy, and persuasiveness are crucial for establishing and maintaining influence in informal leadership capacities.

During a particularly demanding open enrollment, the membership agents of a health insurance business have been working hard. Because of _____, the management decides to host a catered lunch for the staff.

Answer: it's a gesture of appreciation for their hard work, which helps build morale

Providing a catered lunch after a demanding period is a common and effective way for management to show appreciation for employees' extra effort. This gesture acknowledges their hard work and sacrifices, making employees feel valued and recognized. Such recognition directly contributes to boosting morale, fostering a positive work environment, and reinforcing a sense of loyalty and commitment among the staff.

The following statements regarding power are all accurate EXCEPT for:

Answer: Power can never be abused

Power, by its very nature, is the capacity to influence or control others' behavior, and it can be wielded by individuals in various roles, both formal and informal. While power can be used constructively, it also carries the inherent risk of misuse or abuse. History and organizational studies are replete with examples of power being abused, making the statement that it 'can never be abused' definitively false.

Dimitri wants to meet with the vice president of the business he desires to work with to deliver his sales proposal. Dimitri is aware that getting an appointment will be challenging because the vice president's executive assistant is picky about who she meets with. The administrative assistant is showing .

Answer: informal power

The executive assistant, despite not holding a formal leadership title over the vice president, exercises significant influence by controlling access to a key decision-maker. This ability to gatekeep and determine who meets with the vice president is an example of informal power. It stems from their position in the communication flow and their discretion, rather than a formally delegated authority to make strategic business decisions.

Which of the following examples DOES NOT constitute inspiring appeal?

Answer: I know that I'm your boss and your friend and you're working a lot, but I need you to keep up the good work and work overtime for a few more days.

Inspiring appeal typically involves connecting with an individual's aspirations, values, or long-term goals, offering a vision of future reward or growth. Options A, C, and D all offer a clear incentive tied to personal career advancement or financial gain. Option B, however, relies on a direct request based on existing authority ('I'm your boss') and a personal relationship ('your friend'), without offering a compelling future-oriented vision or significant personal benefit, thus lacking the 'inspiring' element.

This is a collection of widely held ideals and ideas.

Answer: Paradigm

A paradigm refers to a fundamental framework, a set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for a community that shares them. It represents a widely accepted model or pattern of thought, often influencing how problems are understood and solved within a particular discipline or society. This definition precisely matches the concept of a paradigm.