Discussion Questions
Chapter 4: Behavioral Approach
1. Explain the behavioral approach and two general kinds of behaviors. What is the central
purpose of the behavioral approach?
2. Summarize the research methods and results of the Ohio State and Michigan studies. How
were the findings similar and different? What were the overall findings in the collaborative
studies in the 1950s and 1960s?
3. Compare and contrast Blake and Mouton’s managerial grid theory to the Ohio State and
Michigan studies.
4. Study the managerial (leadership) grid and explain the derivation of the five major styles.
Define and describe each of these styles.
5. In what types of situations might each of these styles be the best one to use?
6. As a follower, how do you respond to each of these different leadership styles?
7. Explain the paternalism/maternalism style and how it is derived from the managerial grid.
a. Describe as extensively as possible the behaviors associated with this style.
b. Can you think of any examples of well-known leaders who use this style?
c. Is a paternalistic/maternalistic leader aware of his or her style?
d. How would a paternalistic/maternalistic leader score on the Leadership Behavior
Questionnaire at the end of the chapter?
e. What questions would you include on a questionnaire to measure the behaviors
associated with this style?
8. Explain the opportunistic style and how it is derived from the managerial grid.
a. Describe as extensively as possible the behaviors associated with this style.
b. Can you think of any examples of well-known leaders who use this style?
c. Is an opportunistic leader aware of his or her style?
d. How would an opportunistic leader score on the Leadership Behavior
Questionnaire at the end of the chapter?
e. What questions would you include on a questionnaire to measure the behaviors
associated with this style?
9. Complete Case 4.1 (or 4.2 or 4.3) and answer all questions.
10. Rate yourself on the Leadership Behavior Questionnaire. Do your scores suggest that you
are more task-oriented or people-oriented? Tell a story that shows how your behavior in one
situation illustrated your dominant leadership style.
Northouse, Leadership 8e
SAGE Publications, 2019
11. Is the “Impoverished management” style ever appropriate or desirable for an
organization?
12. Who is the best leader you know? The worst? To what extent does the style approach
account for the differences between these leaders?
13. Why does leadership style matter?
14. Should leaders hire only those people who can work with the leader’s leadership style?
15. What is your dominant grid style and when do you revert to your backup style?
16. Why is it difficult to identify a universal “best” style of leadership?