Northouse Review Questions Chapter 6

  1. What researchers are most associated with path–goal theory?
    1. The researcher that is most associated with path-goal theory is House
  2. What are the assumptions of expectancy theory and how do they undergird path–goal theory?
    1. The assumption of expectancy theory and how it is part of the path–goal theory is focusing on motivating their subordinates. If the subordinates feel like thy are able to complete their task they will put in more effort and the outcome will result in being better. This undergirds the path goal theory because by using the expectancy theory the leaders can deduct what the followers would want as a reward. They can give them the rewards and as a result they can use those rewards available to their subordinates. The expectancy theory can be used to push everyone towards their goal.
  3. Explain each of the four leader behaviors considered in path–goal theory.
    1. Supportive leadership involves constant support and comfort to let the subordinate be confident in what they are doing. Directive leadership is very task oriented and is led on instructions. Participative leadership focuses on letting their subordinates make decisions and be included in the decision making process. Achievement oriented leadership focuses on having a high expectation and a high value on getting the task complete.
  4. Identify the follower characteristics that influence how workers interpret a leader’s behavior.
    1. The follower characteristics that influence how workers interpret a leader’s behavior are the leader’s ability to have affiliation, preferences for structure, a need for self-control and having the ability to have a certain level of self-perceived ability.
  5. How does each follower characteristic affect that interpretation?
    1. Structure allows their subordinates to understand what is asked of them and what is needed for them to be able to complete the tasks. This also gives the subordinate the ability to be able to feel comfortable and confident in their job. Affiliation provides the subordinate with the knowledge that the leader is caring about them and wants the very best for them. This is also helpful because followers can have a sense of trust for their leader. IN path goal theory they tell you that in participative leadership is good for good because it gives the subordinates able to control what tasks they need to do. Directive leadership is food because it helps the subordinate have an outsider help guide them along the task. In the perceived level of task ability is gages how to subordinate acts for example when their capabilities increase their directive leadership decreases.
  6. Identify the task characteristics that influence how workers interpret a leader’s behavior.
    1. The tasks characteristics that influence how workers interpret a leader’s behavior are the formal authority system, primary work in groups and how they implement the design of their subordinate’s task.
  7. How does each task characteristic affect how the leader’s behavior influences motivation?
    1. Each task characteristic affects how the leader’s behavior influences motivation because the leader needs to be able to set clear instructions to their subordinates. They also need to be able to motivate people in order to complete their tasks. So they can complete a task or a common goal. They also need to implement a formal authority system to be able to provide authority so their subordinates, follow their instructions and give them a structure that is easy to follow. They also need motivation in order to be able to do their work and the Leader also needs to influence their subordinates in what they need to do.
  8. Explain the conditions under which each of the four leadership styles is optimally used. 
    1. Supportive leadership is optimally used when subordinates are not happy with their job and are in need of support or people interaction. This is most optimal when the task is very easy and repetitive. Directive leadership is optimally used when subordinates fall under the authoritarian type and the task they have to complete is either complex or it has unclear rules. Participation leadership is optimally used when the task is unstructured or what is expected of them is unclear. Subordinates tend to gravitate towards the feeling of wanting to be in charge or they are in need of some clarity. Achievement oriented leadership is when the task itself proves to be very challenging and the subordinates are expected to excel in what they do and are given high expectations to do well.
  9. How does a leader’s communication style affect follower satisfaction?
    1. The leader’s communication style affects follower satisfaction because if the leaders style does not match up with how the follower completes tasks then nothing will get done well, on time or the follower will have a negative attitude toward this. The leader needs to be able to tailor their style of leadership to their followers. If their followers do better under strict leadership than they will take on that role, however if the follower does better under a laissez faire approach then the leader should handle how they treat the them accordingly.
  10. What are strengths of path–goal theory?
    1. Some of the strengths of the path-goal theory are having the ability to use hypothetical outlines of how different leadership behaviors affect their followers work ethic and their satisfaction. It also provides a model that is super helpful for leaders and is also very practical for leaders to use.
  11. What are criticisms of path–goal theory?
    1. Some of the criticisms of path-goal theory are that they focus a huge amount of time on what the leader needs to do that they fail on focusing enough time on the followers. This leads to them not being as productive as they should be. Another criticism is the fact that they have very little support from various different studies conducted on researching path-goal theory. The last criticism they face is how confusing this theory can be. This theory has multiple aspects to it that can difficult to understand and followers.
  12. How does path–goal theory fit with the four components of leadership (process, influence, groups, and common goals)?
    1. The path-goal theory fits the four components of leadership because leaders need to be able to have influence on their followers to be able to motivate them in order to complete the common goals that are needed to be achieved. They also need to have an effective process of leading their followers in order to set their influence on their followers in motion in order to be able to achieve their goals. It also fits the four components because leaders need to be able to actually have a group in order to motivate them into a common goal. Summed up leaders have to have an effective process in order to influence their group to reach a common goal.

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