Northouse, Leadership 9e
SAGE Publishing, 2022
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3: Skills Approach
1. What is the skills approach? What are the three basic personal skills that Katz outlines? Define
2. How might group size affect the relative importance of each of the three skills in Katz’s
model?
3. When the skills model was developed? What were Mumford and the other researchers trying
to explain? This model delineated components of effective leader performance. List the three
5. Complete Case 3.1 (or 3.2 or 3.3) and answer all questions.
6. Rate yourself on the Skills Inventory. What are your leadership competencies? Do your scores
suggest that one or two of the skills are stronger? Do you agree with this assessment? Give a
7. How do the problem-solving skills of leaders and managers differ?
8. Are social judgment skills the same as emotional intelligence?
9. How does the skills approach fit with the processual nature of leadership? Influence? Group
context of leadership? Goal attainment?
10. The Mumford Skills Model was based on studies of more than 1,800 Army officers. How
11. Why is social performance an important competency for leaders?
12. How would leadership skills (technical, human, and conceptual) be used and expressed in an
online environment?
13. What are some examples of situations in which a leader must demonstrate behavioral
14. In pairs, think of an unusual or ill-defined organizational problem. Which of the nine key
problem-solving skills are most important to solve this problem?
15. Which of the nine key problem-solving skills are most important for the career you are in or
planning to enter?