Final answer:
Leadership's ethical tone is emphasized by 'common goals,' reflecting a group's shared values and ethical standards. Different leadership styles, such as democratic or authoritarian, impact how decisions are made within a group, and the effectiveness of these styles depends on the specific situation and organizational needs. The correct option is b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the parts of the leadership definition offered in a textbook—influence, common goals, group, and process—it is common goals that provide leadership with its ethical tone. Ethical leadership involves directing a group towards shared objectives that typically reflect a collective benefit or ethical standards.
The ethical dimension is intrinsic to the concept of common goals, as these objectives are often imbued with values and norms that the group aspires to uphold.
The reference group is a group whose values, norms, and beliefs serve as a standard for one's own behavior. In collective decision-making, there tends to be a bias toward the status quo when making choices that affect the group.
Democratic leaders are recognized for fostering group participation and consensus; however, they also face the challenge of decision-making being potentially slow due to the time required to build consensus and the risk of creating opposing factions within the group.
In contrast, the communication pattern of an authoritarian leader flows from the top down, with a focus on meeting goals and often assigns tasks directly.
Understanding the circumstances under which each leadership style is most effective is crucial for becoming a consummate leader who strives to uphold the moral law and methodically succeed. The correct option is b.