HR08 Managerial Leadership Assignment – I Last Date of Submission: 15th October 2014 Maximum Marks: 100 Assignment Code: 2014HR08B1 Attempt all the questions. All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks. Section-A 1. How is a leader different from a manager? Can organizations develop leaders by creating a culture of leadership? 2. Write short notes on any two of the following: a) Strategies for developing global leaders b) Characteristics of creative leaders c) Leader- member exchange model (LMX) d) Essentially dishonest and unethical tactics used by some leaders 3. What is leadership succession and how is it done in organizations? Who are going to be the top business leaders of tomorrow? 4. How does a situation influence on effective leadership behaviour? Discuss the Hersey Blanchard Situational Leadership Model in detail. Section-B Case Study Suppose, you are the chairman of the Selection Committee of an interview in which you have to select the President for your company. The profiles or the bio- data of these two candidates has been prepared by your consulting psychologist which is given as follows: S.K Prothia: He is an aggressive, persuasive, active and independent man. He is a person of action, who drives hard to achieve the goals. He loves power and the top position to work freely. He can take risks and implement bold plans. He is very much friendly in favourable environments, tough in an antagonistic environment. He reads situation intelligently and persuades, Complements, exhorts or drives his subordinates depending upon the situation. He takes quick decisions and he is a fast pace administrator. He doesn’t believe in spending enough time on long – range planning as he sees the need to achieve measurable results quickly and in time. Rishi Kumar: He is a social person who likes to mix with his subordinates but knows when to work. He is verbally aggressive, an outgoing and independent person. He has got the capacity to motivate all types of men. He is more apt to trust people. He delegates power easily and expects subordinates to HR08/July 2014 Page 1/4 perform the assigned task in time but he is weak to follow up. He dislikes routine and regimentation. He performs well under pressure. He is enthusiastic and optimistic. 5. Case Questions: a. Is the information provided sufficient for taking decision regarding the selection of a President for your company? b. Suppose, your company’s market share is going down and foreign competition is getting fierce. You want to improve your corporate profits to satisfy your shareholders. The emphasis is on new products and capturing market share. Who would be your choice for President Position? Explain why. HR08/July 2014 Page 2/4 HR08 Managerial Leadership Assignment – II Last Date of Submission: 15th November 2014 Maximum Marks: 100 Assignment Code: 2014HR08B2 Attempt all the questions. All the questions are compulsory and carry equal marks. 1. Section-A "Leadership is the process of encouraging and helping others to work enthusiastically towards objectives." Explain this statement in the light of features of leadership. 2. Describe meaning of "Charisma" and discuss various types of charismatic leaders and characteristics of charismatic leader. 3. How does a culturally heterogeneous staff contribute to the leader’s ability to make effective decisions? 4. Define team & role of team leader in its outcome. Using example of any team you have been member. Section-B Case Study One of the most successful discount department stores in America is known as Wal-Mart stores and is named after its founder Sam Walton. Because of the phenomenal success of these stores, Sam Walton became one of the richest men in America. Also, because of his leadership, the stores have enjoyed continuous growth and expansion, so that by mid 1980s, the chain had over 700 stores and was increasing at the rate of an additional 100 stores per year. Its sales increased annually by over 35% and the profits have soared close to 40% per year every year since 1975. Sam Walton, until he died in 1992, took personal interest in his employees. His managerial philosophy was to get the right people in the right places and then give them the freedom to be innovative to accomplish their tasks. He called his employees as associates and treated them as associates. As per company policy, all associates are eligible for profit sharing plans that motivate the employees further. The managers of the stores are required and encouraged to meet with their employees in a social setting to discuss their concerns as well as issues of organizational interest, and this makes the employees feel that their input is taken seriously by the management. Sam Walton himself led a simple life. He did not exhibit any aura about himself, giving the employees a feeling that he was one of them. He and his executives regularly travelled in company owned planes to visit Wal-Mart stores situated at various sites across the country. He met with sales clerks, stock boys and sales managers to find out what items were popular. He knew most of them by their first names HR08/July 2014 Page 3/4 and addressed them so. He initiated "employee of the month" in all categories and created honour roles for more successful stores. This created inner competition requiring extra effort to improve sales and service. This policy gained high respect for him as a leader. 5. Case Questions: a. How would you describe Sam Walton as an effective leader? What leadership theory is consistent with his leadership style? b. How important it is for a leader to mix with the employees? How does this leadership style of "being one of the boys" affect the motivation of the employees? HR08/July 2014 Page 4/4