Concept, Importance & Style of Leadership

1 Mark Questions

1. What is meant by 'democratic style' of leadership? (All India 2013) Ans. A democratic leader provides freedom of thinking. He listens to the suggestions, grievances and opinions of the subordinates.
2. Name the term used in management for influencing people to strive willingly for group objectives.(HOTS; All India 2012)

Ans. Leadership influencing people to strive willingly for group objectives.

3 Marks Questions

3. Explain any three qualities of a good (Delhi 2012,2008; All India 2011)

Ans. Qualities of a good leader are as follows: (Any three)

1. Knowledge A good leader should have required knowledge and competence. Only such person can instruct subordinates correctly and influence them.
2. Initiative A leader should have courage and ability to take initiative. He should not wait for opportunities to come to his way, rather he should grab the opportunities and use it to the advantage of organisation.
3. Integrity A leader should possess high level of integrity and honesty. He should be a role model to others regarding the ethics and values.
4. Sound physique A good leader must have good health and physical fitness. He requires tremendous stamina and urge for hard work.

4. Explain the concept of motivation and leadership. (Delhi 2011)

Ans. Motivation It is the process of stimulating people to act or to accomplish desired goals. It is an internal feeling. According to Berelson and Steiner, 'Motivation is an inner state that energises, activates and that directs or channels behaviour towards goals'. Motivation is something that motivates a person into action and continues him in the course of action enthusiastically. It determines the behaviour of a person to a great extent.

Leadership It is the process of influencing the behaviour of other people so that they work willingly for the attainment of goals in a given situation. According to Koontz and O'Donnell, 'Leadership is an art or process of influencing people so that they will strive willingly and enthusiastically towards the achievement of group goals'. Leadership is a psychological process of influencing followers or subordinates and providing guidance to them.

5. Leadership is an essential element of directing. State any three reasons, why it is essential? (Delhi 2008)

Ans. Leadership is considered as the most important element of directing function because of the following reasons: (Any three)

1. Effective direction An organisation comes into existence with certain objectives. To

attain the objectives, the activities of the Organisation must be directed. Direction of the activities is effected through leadership. In short, effective leadership directs the activities of an organisation towards the attainment of the specified organisational goals.

1. Source of motivation Effective leadership motivates the subordinates to contribute their energies for the benefit of the organisation.
2. Provide confidence Leadership creates confidence in the subordinates by giving them proper guidance and advice.
3. High morale Good leadership increases the morale of the employees which in turn, contributes to higher productivity.
4. Development of team spirit Effective leadership promotes team spirit and team work which is quite essential for the success of an organisation.

4 / 5 Marks Question

1. 'All managers are leaders but all leaders are not managers'. In the light of this

statement, differentiate between leadership and management. (HOTS; Delhi 2009)

Ans. A manager is a leader of his unit because he performs leadership function for his unit. But this does not mean that leadership and managership are synonymous. A person who is a leader may not be a manager, e.g. a trade union leader is not a manager. Similarly, leaders in political and social fields are not managers.