1. Right Answer: C
Explanation: The emergent leadership theory proposes that leaders can emerge from a group, deriving their power from the group's agreement with this role. The other leadership theories refer to the ways team leaders use their roles to produce results and engage, develop, and motivate team members.
2. Right Answer: C
Explanation: Leaders must model the values the organization aspires to, which means being trustworthy and reliable. Effective leaders may not allow all employees to direct themselves. They provide coaching rather than terminating poor performers. They provide detailed directions to those who need it.
3. Right Answer: B
Explanation: Managers who exhibit low task, high people (country club) leadership styles avoid using their authority because they fear that it will jeopardize their relationships. They try to create a supportive atmosphere and trust that employees will respond positively. An authoritarian leader emphasizes task, and an impoverished leader neglects both task and people. A true team leader attends to needs related to both tasks and people.
4. Right Answer: D
Explanation: D is the best response. This is a very delicate situation for an HR manager, who must fulfill a duty to the organization. Respecting friendship and honoring other's requests are serious considerations. However, if ignored, claims of harassment put the organization in a precarious position, with potential liability. Given that the allegations are being made against a senior management employee, it is important for the HR manager to escalate this issue to a more senior HR leader to determine the best way to proceed. Furthermore, since the HR manager has a long-standing personal friendship with the employee making the harassment claim, it is probably best for another HR person to step in for the investigation so as to fend off any perception of HR bias. A is incorrect. The VP of operations should not be confronted until a formal plan of action is created. B is incorrect. Once the administrative assistant has shared the allegations with the HR manager, even if in confidence and during personal time, the HR manager has a duty to protect the employer from any liability. If the HR manager does not act on the allegations of misconduct and harassment, she is jeopardizing the organization. C is incorrect. Talking with the administrative assistant and urging her to file a formal complaint is a good idea. However, if the administrative assistant continues to say no, the HR manager must do something. If the HR manager does not act on the allegations of misconduct and harassment, even if the allegations were made on personal time, the HR manager is jeopardizing the organization.
5. Right Answer: A
Explanation: A is the best response. The VP of operations plays a critical role in the organization and has been identified as a potential successor to the CEO. Given that this is the second time sexual harassment allegations have been made against him and that this time there's a threat of a lawsuit, it is important to notify the CEO and corporate counsel. B is incorrect. It is important to investigate the entire situation, with all allegations and claims considered equally. C is incorrect. HR should not take any action independent of the organization's CEO and attorney. D is incorrect. At this stage, firing the VP of operations may be premature, as it is just an allegation with no actual evidence and not even clarity on the facts. A sound and unbiased investigation must be conducted to uncover the facts, and only then would the policy on disciplinary action apply if deemed necessary.
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