Question

Abigail, a department manager, is struggling trying to lead a cross-functional team. Most members are other department managers at her level, and they see no reason to do what she asks. Here, Abigail has

a. high task structure.
b. low tolerance for ambiguity.
c. poor leader-member relations.
d. weak referent power.
e. weak position power.

Answer 1

Abigail has;

e. weak position power

Step-by-step explanation:

Leadership positions like managerial positions always come with a certain amount of power attached to it. The sources of power are as follows;

1. Power of person; this is based on how managers view this person
2. Expertise; if the person is an expert or possesses special knowledge in a specific field
3. Reference; if a person is considered as the major source of reference by others
4. Legitimacy; when legally one has a higher rank than the others. An example is a boss and his/her subordinates
5. Coercion; when one has the power to punish the other if he/she doesn't do as required
6. Rewards; when one has the power to reward the other if he/she performs as needed
7. Power of position; if a manager has a position that come with the ability to offer things to others.

Since Abigail is on the same level as the other department managers, she has a weak position power since her position as the department manager can not offer her any power to make other department managers do what she asks.