Unit 4 of 5

Unit 4: Leadership and Power

Study guide for DSST DSST Organizational BehaviorUnit 4: Leadership and Power. Practice questions, key concepts, and exam tips.

16

Practice Questions

0

Flashcards

6

Key Topics

Key Concepts to Study

trait theories
behavioral theories
transformational leadership
sources of power
politics
ethical leadership

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 5 questions from this unit. Sign up for full access to all 16.

Q1EASY

A manager at a company is able to influence her team members to work towards a common goal, not because of her formal authority, but because of her expertise and the respect she has earned from her team. This is an example of what type of power?

A) Coercive power
B) Expert power
C) Legitimate power
D) Reward power
Show Answer

Answer: BThis is correct because expert power is the ability to influence others based on one's expertise, knowledge, or skills. The manager in this scenario is able to influence her team members because of her expertise and the respect she has earned, which is a classic example of expert power. Coercive power (A) is incorrect because it involves using force or threats to influence others. Legitimate power (C) is incorrect because it is based on formal authority or position. Reward power (D) is incorrect because it involves using rewards or incentives to influence others.

Q2HARD

A new manager, Jane, has been appointed to lead a team of experienced employees. She wants to establish her authority and ensure that her team respects her decisions. However, she also wants to encourage open communication and feedback. Which of the following approaches would be most effective for Jane to achieve her goals?

A) Using her formal authority to make decisions without consulting her team, as this will demonstrate her power and control.
B) Establishing a collaborative leadership style, where she shares power and involves her team in decision-making processes, to build trust and encourage open communication.
C) Focusing solely on building personal relationships with her team members, as this will help her gain their trust and loyalty.
D) Ignoring the team's feedback and concerns, as this will show that she is a strong and confident leader.
Show Answer

Answer: BThe correct answer, B, is the most effective approach because it balances the need for Jane to establish her authority with the need to encourage open communication and feedback. A collaborative leadership style helps to build trust and respect among team members, which is essential for effective leadership. Option A is incorrect because using formal authority alone can come across as authoritarian and may stifle open communication. Option C is incorrect because focusing solely on personal relationships may not address the need for Jane to establish her authority and make decisions. Option D is incorrect because ignoring feedback and concerns can lead to mistrust and undermine Jane's leadership.

Q3EASY

A manager at a company is trying to influence her team to meet a tight deadline. She offers to give them a bonus if they are able to complete the project on time. In this scenario, what type of power is the manager using?

A) Legitimate power
B) Expert power
C) Reward power
D) Coercive power
Show Answer

Answer: CThe correct answer is C) Reward power, because the manager is using a reward (the bonus) to influence her team's behavior. A) Legitimate power refers to the power that comes from a person's position or role, which is not relevant in this scenario. B) Expert power refers to the power that comes from a person's expertise or knowledge, which is also not relevant. D) Coercive power refers to the power that comes from the ability to punish or penalize, which is the opposite of what the manager is doing in this scenario.

Q4HARD

A newly appointed manager at a large corporation is trying to implement a change in the company's marketing strategy. However, she is facing resistance from the marketing team, who are skeptical about the new approach. The manager has a strong personality and is well-respected by her peers, but she has limited formal authority over the marketing team. Which of the following is the most effective way for the manager to influence the marketing team and implement the change?

A) Use her formal authority to dictate the change and override any objections
B) Rely on her personal charm and charisma to persuade the marketing team
C) Build a coalition with other stakeholders and use her expertise and reputation to persuade the marketing team
D) Threaten to fire anyone who resists the change
Show Answer

Answer: CThe correct answer, C, is the most effective way for the manager to influence the marketing team because it leverages her expertise, reputation, and relationships with other stakeholders to build a coalition and persuade the team. This approach is more likely to be successful than relying solely on formal authority (A), personal charm (B), or coercion (D), which may damage relationships and undermine trust. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they either rely on limited formal authority, overlook the importance of building relationships and coalitions, or use coercive tactics that can be counterproductive.

Q5MEDIUM

A manager at a company is trying to influence her team to work extra hours to meet a tight deadline. She offers them a bonus for completing the project on time and promises to give them extra time off after the project is finished. Which of the following types of power is the manager using in this scenario?

A) Coercive power
B) Reward power
C) Legitimate power
D) Expert power
Show Answer

Answer: BThe correct answer is B) Reward power, because the manager is offering a bonus and extra time off in exchange for the team's hard work. This is an example of reward power, where the manager is using incentives to influence the team's behavior. Coercive power (A) would involve threatening or punishing the team, which is not the case in this scenario. Legitimate power (C) would involve using the manager's formal authority to demand that the team work extra hours, but the manager is instead using incentives. Expert power (D) would involve using the manager's expertise or knowledge to influence the team, but the scenario does not mention the manager's expertise as a factor.

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Study Tips for Unit 4: Leadership and Power

  • Focus on understanding concepts, not memorizing facts — DSST tests application
  • Practice with timed questions to build exam-day speed
  • Review explanations for wrong answers — they reveal common misconceptions
  • Use flashcards for key terms, practice questions for deeper understanding

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