Exercise - Leadership Scenarios

After reading over the background information, consider each of the six scenarios listed below. For each scenario, state which of the three leadership choices (i.e. Autocratic, Democratic, Laissez-Faire, or Paternalistic) would be the best and give at least two reasons for your choice. Your answers will be submitted for evaluation.

1. You find yourself in a group in class that has to write and put together a dramatic presentation that will be filmed on video. There are people of all types of abilities in the group and most seem pretty keen on doing the project.

1. You are a camp counsellor assigned to a group of rookie campers. You will be competing against other cabins in a scavenger hunt held in half an hour. The other cabins have older and more experienced kids, but your group would like to show them up.

1. The boss is away in the hospital but everyone has done the job before and they like working at their jobs. The staff are all friends and tend to socialize after work as a group. A major crisis occurs that involves everyone, but you can't call the boss.

1. You find yourself in a group doing an assignment that nobody wants to do, including yourself. Unfortunately, this assignment will decide whether you and only a few others pass the course.

1. A committee is planning the annual Christmas party for employees and their families. Last year was one of the better parties and all of the people who are working this year had a job on last year's committee.

1. You have thirty minutes left to decorate your house for your best friend's surprise birthday party. Other friends have started decorating, but they keep asking you what to do.