Question

Gabriel, a manager at Chromium Inc., never approves his subordinates' requests for time off. He also forces them to maintain a very high standard of productivity. The employees are unable to express their difficulties to Gabriel because he is more concerned about production than he is about them. In the context of the Blake/Mouton leadership grid, which of the following leadership styles is Gabriel using in this scenario?

a. Authority-compliance style
b. Country-club style
c. Impoverished style
d. Middle-of-the-road style

Answer 1

Gabriel at Chromium Inc. exemplifies the authority-compliance leadership style on the Blake/Mouton leadership grid. This approach prioritizes production over people, often disregarding employee satisfaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of the Blake/Mouton leadership grid, Gabriel's leadership style within Chromium Inc. can be characterized as authority-compliance style. This style is evident in Gabriel's management behaviors, which include a high emphasis on production and task completion, with little regard for the needs and wellbeing of his employees. It involves a high concern for production but a low concern for people, which leads to a work environment where the leader strictly enforces policies and tasks without considering employee satisfaction or input.

The authority-compliance leaders issue orders and expect them to be followed without discussion. This echoes the characteristics described in the scenario, where Gabriel never approves time off and demands high productivity, potentially alienating employees. This approach can be efficient in situations demanding quick decisions or high levels of expertise but may not be suitable for environments that require teamwork and high morale.