Question

You have an employee, Jean, who does an excellent job on her own. Because you believe Jean is bored with her job as it is too easy for her, you have decided to delegate one of three assignments to her. You're not sure which one she will like best. Identify the most appropriate leadership continuum style for this situation.

Answer 1

The most appropriate leadership continuum style for engaging a competent employee like Jean in a new assignment would be Democratic leadership, fostering a collaborative environment that makes use of her input and respects her autonomy, thus ensuring her continued growth and satisfaction in the workplace.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering the delegation of assignments to Jean, who is highly competent and possibly under-challenged in her role, the most appropriate leadership continuum style could be the Democratic leadership style. This approach encourages group participation in decision making, which could stimulate Jean's engagement with her work by involving her in the selection process of her new assignment, catering to her need for more challenging tasks.

In the context of flat organizational structures and the rising prevalence of teamwork, soliciting Jean's input on which assignment she would prefer can lead to a more collaborative and successful working relationship. Since Jean is already performing well independently, integrating her into the decision-making process would respect her autonomy while also providing her with a fresh challenge and avoiding the risks associated with a laissez-faire or authoritarian style which may not suit her need for leadership.

It's essential to understand the dynamics of the leader-follower relationship. Given Jean’s autonomy and competence, a transformational leadership style might also be suitable. This style not only provides clear goals and responsibilities but also encourages employees, like Jean, to think creatively and be proactive in their roles—potentially leading her towards a path of professional development consistent with her expressed desire to progress to an Office Manager position.

Answer 2

The most appropriate leadership continuum style for the situation with Jean, who is an excellent yet under-challenged employee, is a collaborative and consultative democratic leadership style. This approach will involve her in the decision-making process and provide her with a stimulating work environment, fostering a positive working relationship.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering which of the three assignments to delegate to Jean, who is currently under-stimulated by her work, it's important to examine the leadership continuum and the styles within it to identify the most appropriate approach for this situation. Given that Jean is doing an excellent job on her own, this implies that she is also likely to be self-motivated and capable of making decisions with some degree of independence. Therefore, the laissez-faire leadership style might initially seem appropriate. However, this hands-off approach risks group dissolution and a lack of progress, especially if Jean is in need of new challenges.

A more balanced approach would be that of a democratic leader who encourages Jean's participation in decision making. This leadership style involves the leader working to build consensus before choosing a course of action and moving forward, engaging Jean in a meaningful way while also leveraging her expertise and commitment to the job. Engaging Jean in the decision-making process may satisfy her need for more stimulating work and could potentially prevent the entrenchment of opposing factions within the team.

Considering the shift from traditional hierarchies to more flat organizational structures, soliciting Jean's feedback on which assignment she would prefer demonstrates a modern approach to management that can empower employees and improve the leader-follower relationship.

In summary, a collaborative, consultative leadership style that incorporates elements of the democratic approach aligns best with the needs of an employee like Jean. By involving her in the decision-making process regarding her new assignment, the manager not only provides her with the stimulation she requires but also fosters a strong, positive, and collaborative working relationship.