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Practice questions on leadership styles

Kibwana is the manager of a department in a well established and mature company. His department and employees have been ranked as one of the best in a number of different areas. He tends, however, to ignore many of the stereotypical expectations of mature stable companies. He focuses on performance rather than obedience, discipline and following rules for rules-sake. The hallmark of his leadership is listening to his employees and actively changing the things that make them unhappy and that block their performance. He has created a climate where the lowest level of employee is important and feels valued. He provides company paid time for studying topics that improve their performance and for attending college, and he often allows personal time off to employees to take care of personal matters that do not interfere with getting the job done. His department’s satisfaction is very high with little to no employee turnover, their performance always exceeds departmental and company expectations. He has considerable admiration and affection as the leader. Answer the following questions using the information from the case study. What kind of leadership style does Mr Kibwana use and what are its features? In which situations would you recommend this style of leadership as inappropriate?

Assume that you have been appointed to coach the top managers of Equity Bank Limited to enable it compete favorably with other banks. One of the areas you’d wish to address is leadership styles to be adopted and promoted by the top management. What leadership style options would you propose to the management and explain the reasons to support each option.

Most of the business establishments in Kenya are manned by people who have not done leadership as a course. Many leaders could be regarded as using the Autocratic Leadership Style. Explain the features of this leadership style and when it is best suited.

Leadership literature refers some leaders as “bureacrats”. Explain the uniqueness of their leadership style that make the leaders be referred to as bureaucratic.

There is increased emphasis in institutions to adopt Democratic Leadership Style. Assume you have been hired as a consultant to guide Wakulima Sacco Management on how to succeed in using this leadership style. Write down a detailed advisory for use by this Sacco on what Democratic Leadership Style entails and when it should be used.

Laissez-Faire Leadership Style is an option some leaders practice unconsciously. In most cases it results into chaos. Explain how leaders could use Laissez Faire leadership style and attain increased institutional performance.

There is no “one dress fit all” leadership style, and leaders normally find themselves using a diverse styles as situations demand. Explain the factors that guide a leader in selecting appropriate leadership styles.