Discussion Questions

$1.$ Why is it important for leaders to know their strengths? Do you think leaders should spend equal time learning about their weak points? Why?

$2.$ Suggest some personal traits of leaders you have known. What traits do you believe are most valuable? Why?

$3.$ The chapter suggests that optimism is an important trait for a leader, yet some employees complain that optimistic leaders create significant stress because they don't anticipate problems and expect their subordinates to meet unreasonable goals. Do you agree? Why?

$4.$ What is the difference between trait theories and behavioral theories of leadership?

$5.$ Would you feel more comfortable using a "consideration" or an "initiating$-$structure" leadership style? Discuss the reasons for your answer.

$6.$ The vertical dyad linkage model suggests that followers respond individually to the leader. If this is so$,$ what advice would you give leaders about displaying people$-$oriented versus task$-$oriented behavior?

$7.$ Does it make sense to you that a leader should develop an individualized relationship with each follower? Explain advantages and disadvantages to this approach.

$8.$ Why would subordinates under a democratic leader perform better in the leader's absence than would subordinates under an autocratic leader?

$9.$ Which leader trait or behavior do you think is most important for handling a crisis such as a pandemic? Explain.

$10.$ Pick three traits from the list in Exhibit $2\mathrm{.}1$ that you think would be most valuable for a leader in an elementary school. Pick three that you think would be most valuable for a leader in a scientific research organization. Explain your choices.