Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
Chapter 2: Recognizing Your Traits
Test Bank
Multiple Choice
1. Which of the following is not listed in the text as an important leadership trait?
a. diligence
b. articulateness
c. power hungry
d. intelligence
2. A manager who moves into a new position and begins reading industry magazines,
manuals, books, and interviews colleagues about their best practices might be working
on improving which of the six leadership traits?
a. charisma
b. sociability
c. integrity
d. intelligence
3. Confidence is a trait that has to do with ______.
a. feeling positive about oneself and one’s ability to succeed
b. making others believe you have the right answers
c. convincing others your way is best
d. commanding respect from your followers
4. A leader walks into a room and immediately commands people’s attention through
her presence. This is indicative of which trait?
a. integrity
b. sociability
c. intelligence
d. charisma
5. A leader who is willing to assert themselves, be proactive, and can persevere through
adversity demonstrates which key trait?
a. determination
b. sociability
c. confidence
d. intelligence
6. According to the text, which is the one trait that is easily acquired by those who lead?
a. intelligence
b. determination
c. integrity
d. confidence
7. Which trait most closely aligns with a leader who stays focused on tasks, articulates a
vision, and encourages others to persevere?
a. intelligence
b. charisma
c. confidence
d. determination
8. A new manager is hired for an office; they immediately begin to build a rapport with
colleagues and subordinates, tactfully navigate difficult situations, and are friendly and
outgoing with all employees. This example demonstrates which trait?
a. confidence
b. charisma
c. sociability
d. intelligence
9. If people do not trust a leader, the leader’s influence potential is ______.
a. weakened
b. empowered
c. not affected
d. unknown
10. Nelson Mandela was influenced by ______ before shifting to violent tactics.
a. Winston Churchill
b. Mohandas Gandhi
c. Mother Teresa
d. George Washington
11. It was said of George Washington that he was “great” because he was “______.”
a. determined
b. good
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
c. intelligent
d. nice
12. Winston Churchill was known for which of the following traits?
a. oratory
b. mood swings
c. anger
d. selfishness
13. Churchill’s most significant talent was his masterful use of ______.
a. information
b. language
c. optimism
d. inspiration
14. In the face of criticism Mother Teresa responded with strong will, and she was a
leader who practiced what she preached. Which trait does this most closely align with?
a. sociability
b. integrity
c. intelligence
d. charisma
15. Which of the following is not a trait of Bill Gates discussed in the text?
a. intelligence
b. visionary
c. diligence
d. submissive
16. Bill Gates is described as diligent, focused, aggressive, and task oriented. This most
closely aligns with which of the Six Key Leadership Traits?
a. determination
b. confidence
c. charisma
d. sociability
17. Oprah Winfrey is said to have which key trait of leadership which enables her to
connect with people?
a. charisma
b. intelligence
c. determination
d. integrity
18. According to the text, what is not a characteristic of determined leaders?
a. initiative
b. persistence
c. decisiveness
d. drive
19. Which of the following is not a trait found to be significant in leadership?
a. intelligence
b. friendliness
c. persistence
d. introversion
20. Which of the following is a way to build confidence?
a. understanding what a situation requires
b. having a mentor to show the way
c. practice
d. all of these
21. What is not a way to build charisma?
a. be a strong role model
b. articulate clear goals and strong values
c. be sociable
d. be competent
22. Sociable leaders are all of the following except ______.
a. tactful
b. friendly
c. diplomatic
d. direct
23. Which researcher identified 22 values leadership traits after studying 17,000
managers in 62 different cultures?
a. Hofstede
b. Stogdill
c. House
d. Kouzes and Posner
24. Which of the following is not one of the six key leadership traits identified by
researchers?
a. intelligence
b. openness to experience
c. charisma
d. sociability
25. Intelligence includes having good language skills, ______ skills, and ______.
a. perceptual; determination
b. critical thinking; confidence
c. perceptual; reasoning ability
d. writing; intensity
26. A manager who hesitates to take action, feels set goals may be too lofty, and is
insecure in their role is lacking ______.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
a. confidence
b. intelligence
c. sociability
d. charisma
27. Charisma is a special personality characteristic that gives a leader the capacity to
do ______.
a. ethical decision-making
b. extraordinary things
c. goal setting
d. coalition building
28. To increase sociability, people should ______.
a. try to get along with coworkers
b. be friendly, kind, and thoughtful
c. talk freely with others and give them support
d. all of these
29. Mohandas Gandhi advocated nonviolence and civil disobedience, but his ______
enabled him to influence others.
a. charisma
b. intelligence
c. sociability
d. determination
30. A leader’s capacity to establish pleasant social relationships is known as ______.
a. charisma
b. sociability
c. charm
d. integrity
31. A leader may demonstrate integrity by ______.
a. adhering to a strong set of principles
b. being aware of what is going on around them
c. taking responsibility for their actions
d. adhering to a strong set of principles and taking responsibility for their actions
32. Which of the six traits is at the core of being a leader?
a. integrity
b. charisma
c. intelligence
d. determination
33. An important trait Nelson Mandela exhibited during his imprisonment was ______.
a. resisting
b. listening
c. protesting
d. speaking
34. Sociable leaders bring ______ to a group and make the work environment ______.
a. teambuilding; happier
b. toxicity; hostile
c. grand visions; pleasant
d. positive energy; enjoyable
35. Which of the following is not used to describe George Washington?
a. integrity
b. virtuousness
c. modesty
d. irritability
36. Utilizing interpersonal skills to foster cooperative relationships in a new team setting
is indicative of the ______ trait.
a. sociabilty
b. charisma
c. intelligence
d. determination
37. A manager arrives in the early morning to a large fundraising event to see disorder
and no clear direction. She begins to give clear directives and assert leadership
throughout the long day until the job is done. The trait most described is ______.
a. determination
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
b. charisma
c. intelligence
d. sociability
38. Which of the following is not a trait of Mother Teresa’s discussed in the text?
a. simple woman
b. determined
c. spiritual
d. detail oriented
39. Which of the following traits does the book attribute to Oprah Winfrey?
a. aggressive
b. pretentious
c. spiritual
d. charismatic
40. Which of the following is not one of Bill Gates’s traits as discussed in the text?
a. aggressive
b. compassionate
c. visionary
d. task oriented
41. One of Winston Churchill’s motivations for his ambition was ______.
a. wanting what was right for others
b. personal fame
c. prejudice against others
d. self-interest
42. George Washington was neither highly educated nor brilliant, yet he was known for
his wisdom. This demonstrates the idea that a leader can improve their ______ by
staying informed and working hard at being aware.
a. charisma
b. determination
c. intelligence
d. confidence
43. What is not one of Nelson Mandela’s traits discussed in the text?
a. focused
b. consensus builder
c. courageous
d. aggressive
44. Leaders must balance between being ______ and monitoring what is appropriate to
disclose in a particular situation.
a. open and candid
b. closed and secretive
c. deceitful and manipulative
d. happy and carefree
45. Honesty, as a component of integrity, helps people to have ______ and ______ in a
leader.
a. respect; goodwill
b. trust; faith
c. mistrust; fear
d. power; respect
46. It is difficult for a person to alter their IQ, but it is possible for them to improve their
______ in general.
a. intelligence
b. sociability
c. confidence
d. charisma
47. Mentors are able to help a person not only increase their ______ but they also
provide essential help to learn the dynamics of leadership.
a. sociability
b. integrity
c. intelligence
d. confidence
48. U.S. President John F. Kennedy is given as an example of a leader with which of
the six key traits?
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
a. charisma
b. intelligence
c. determination
d. confidence
49. People want ______ leaders – leaders with whom they can get along.
a. determined
b. intelligent
c. charismatic
d. sociable
50. The impact of U.S. President Bill Clinton’s leadership was substantially weakened
because of challenges to his ______.
a. integrity
b. determination
c. charisma
d. intelligence
True/False
1. All of the following were listed in the text as important leadership traits:
trustworthiness, sociability, confidence, and open-mindedness.
2. A leader with integrity may ignore their stated values for an easier course of action.
3. Utilizing resources around us to inform our actions is an important component of
Intelligence as a leadership trait.
4. When a leader’s integrity comes into question, his or her potential to lead is lost.
5. Traits are important but only one dimension of the multidimensional process of
leadership.
6. Bill Gates is not only diligent and visionary, he also demonstrates a strong concern
for the poor and underserved.
7. Research studies have produced a very long list of leadership traits.
8. Confidence is innate and cannot be learned.
9. Intelligence includes having good language skills, perceptual skills, and reasoning
ability.
10. Charisma is a common personality trait.
Essay
1. Discuss the six key traits of successful leaders; provide examples of leaders in
context exemplifying each.
2. The chapter outlines understanding and practice as two ways of gaining confidence.
Discuss an example of confidence building in your leadership journey.
Instructor Resource
Northouse, Introduction to Leadership, 4e
SAGE Publishing, 2018
3. Compare and contrast Charisma and Sociability as they relate to leadership traits.
4. Analyze Nelson Mandela’s leadership as described in the Leadership Snapshot and
distinguish which of the six key leadership traits he used throughout his life.
5. Distinguish between Mother Teresa and Bill Gates’ leadership traits. Did they use
similar traits in different ways? Did they seek to affect change towards a similar
outcome using different means?
6. What trait would be most difficult for you to acquire as a leader?
7. In your opinion, which of the six key leadership traits is the most important. Give
examples from your personal leadership journey.
8. How necessary is Charisma for effective leadership? Give at least two examples to
support your view.
9. What common characteristics existed among all five leaders profiled in the text?
10. Select one of the five leaders profiled in the text. How did context shape their
leadership traits and success?