Final answer:
An assembly line moving at a fixed rate of speed neutralizes a leader's ability to influence employees' production rate. Task specialization and individual and organizational characteristics can outweigh leadership influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
An assembly line moving at a fixed rate of speed can neutralize a leader's ability to influence employees' production rate. When workers are specialized in certain tasks and have been trained to produce more quickly and with higher quality, they become less dependent on the leader for guidance and motivation. For example, assembly line laborers who have mastered their job may suggest innovative ways to improve productivity without the direct involvement of a leader.
In this case, the assembly line itself serves as a substitute for leadership, as workers rely more on the standardized process and less on individual leadership. In addition to task specialization, individual characteristics such as a strong desire for personal growth and organizational characteristics that emphasize training and development can outweigh the leader's influence on employees' production rate.