Discussion: Putting Leadership Theory to the Test

Leadership theories and frameworks can play a very important role in helping managers and leaders to understand, predict, and influence leader-related interactions and events in the workplace. The following scenario offers an opportunity for you to apply multiple leadership frameworks to the analysis of a complex organizational scenarioin other words, the selection of a leader who will need a very particular constellation of skills and abilities!

The Scenario You are charged with hiring a manager for a fast food restaurant. The operations within the store are highly standardized, and employees have very specific job descriptions. The person will be in charge of managing around 30 employees. There is a high degree of turnover among employees so retention will be an important priority. Most employees who work in the restaurant are young with low levels of work experience and few of them view the restaurant business as a full time career. The atmosphere in the restaurant has a fast pace. In this company, managers are often promoted from within and this position is an exception. Therefore, the incoming manager may not receive a warm welcome from employees who were passed over for a promotion and their colleagues. Finally, the position power of the manager will be somewhat limited because employees are unionized. Therefore, the manager will have limited opportunities for distributing pay raises or bonuses.

Please answer the following questions, being sure to incorporate leadership theories and frameworks from across the spectrum. Power also is relevant here!)

1. Identify the leadership traits and behaviors that are desirable for this position. Why are you identifying these traits and behavior as relevant for this position?
2. Design an approach to selecting this person. Which methods of employee selection would you use? Why?
3. Develop at least five interview questions to be used in hiring this manager. Your questions should be aimed at predicting the leadership capabilities of the person in question.