ILAD 5980 TEST 1 VERIFIED EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
1. Which statement best describes how leadership scholars view the
definition of leadership?
A. They have all adopted a single universal definition
B. They define it only as holding a formal position
C. They have not arrived at one common, agreed definition
D. They define it only as a set of inherited traits
ANSWER : C. Scholars agree on very little except that no shared
definition exists. A is incorrect: The field has produced many competing
definitions. B is incorrect: Position alone is only one of many views. D is
incorrect: Traits are one approach, not the accepted definition.
2. Which definition of leadership is offered in the Northouse text?
A. A process in which an individual influences a group of individuals to
achieve a common goal
B. A fixed set of traits that a person is born with
C. The formal authority to command and punish
D. The ability to maintain order and consistency in an organization
ANSWER : A. Northouse defines leadership as a process involving
influence, a group, and a common goal. B is incorrect: Northouse stresses
process, not inborn traits. C is incorrect: Authority is only one base of
power, not the definition. D is incorrect: Order and consistency describe
management in his framing.
Page 1
,3. According to Northouse, how do management and leadership differ?
A. Management produces change and movement, while leadership
produces order and consistency
B. Management and leadership produce exactly the same outcomes
C. Management focuses on followers only, while leadership focuses on
tasks only
D. Management produces order and consistency, while leadership
produces change and movement
ANSWER : D. Management brings stability and structure; leadership
drives change. A is incorrect: This reverses the roles of the two concepts.
B is incorrect: The text draws a clear distinction between them. C is
incorrect: Neither is limited to followers or tasks alone.
4. Which of the following is NOT listed as a base of power in the Northouse
text?
A. Expert
B. Authority
C. Information
D. Referent
ANSWER : B. Authority is not named as a base of power in this list; the
formal base is called legitimate power. A is incorrect: Expert power is a
recognized base. C is incorrect: Information power is a recognized base. D
is incorrect: Referent power is a recognized base.
5. According to Northouse, power is best defined as
A. The capacity or potential to influence
B. The authority to command action
C. A way to promote affection
D. The energy that lets leaders lift heavy burdens
ANSWER : A. Power is the potential or capacity to influence others. B is
incorrect: Authority to command is only one narrow form of power. C is
incorrect: Affection is not what defines power. D is incorrect: This is a
figurative statement, not a definition.
Page 2
, 6. Which set of traits does Northouse identify as central to being seen as a
leader?
A. Humor, creativity, patience, loyalty, and ambition
B. Neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness, and
conscientiousness
C. Authority, expertise, reward, coercion, and reference
D. Intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability
ANSWER : D. These five traits are the ones highlighted as major
leadership traits. A is incorrect: These traits are not the ones listed in the
text. B is incorrect: This is the Big Five personality set, a different list. C is
incorrect: This is a list of power bases, not traits.
7. What does research suggest about the Big Five personality traits and
leadership?
A. There is no relationship at all
B. There is a strong relationship between them
C. The relationship exists only for neuroticism
D. The relationship exists only in small teams
ANSWER : B. Studies show a strong link between the Big Five and
leadership. A is incorrect: Research found a meaningful connection. C is
incorrect: Several of the five traits are involved, not just one. D is
incorrect: The finding is not limited to team size.
8. The trait approach is most often criticized for failing to take ____ into
account.
A. Emotional intelligence
B. Personality
C. Situations
D. Differences among leaders
ANSWER : C. It looks at the leader's traits but largely ignores the
situation. A is incorrect: Emotional intelligence is not the central criticism.
B is incorrect: Personality is actually what the approach studies. D is
incorrect: Differences among leaders are not the main criticism.
Page 3
ANSWERS - LATEST VERSION 2026/2027
1. Which statement best describes how leadership scholars view the
definition of leadership?
A. They have all adopted a single universal definition
B. They define it only as holding a formal position
C. They have not arrived at one common, agreed definition
D. They define it only as a set of inherited traits
ANSWER : C. Scholars agree on very little except that no shared
definition exists. A is incorrect: The field has produced many competing
definitions. B is incorrect: Position alone is only one of many views. D is
incorrect: Traits are one approach, not the accepted definition.
2. Which definition of leadership is offered in the Northouse text?
A. A process in which an individual influences a group of individuals to
achieve a common goal
B. A fixed set of traits that a person is born with
C. The formal authority to command and punish
D. The ability to maintain order and consistency in an organization
ANSWER : A. Northouse defines leadership as a process involving
influence, a group, and a common goal. B is incorrect: Northouse stresses
process, not inborn traits. C is incorrect: Authority is only one base of
power, not the definition. D is incorrect: Order and consistency describe
management in his framing.
Page 1
,3. According to Northouse, how do management and leadership differ?
A. Management produces change and movement, while leadership
produces order and consistency
B. Management and leadership produce exactly the same outcomes
C. Management focuses on followers only, while leadership focuses on
tasks only
D. Management produces order and consistency, while leadership
produces change and movement
ANSWER : D. Management brings stability and structure; leadership
drives change. A is incorrect: This reverses the roles of the two concepts.
B is incorrect: The text draws a clear distinction between them. C is
incorrect: Neither is limited to followers or tasks alone.
4. Which of the following is NOT listed as a base of power in the Northouse
text?
A. Expert
B. Authority
C. Information
D. Referent
ANSWER : B. Authority is not named as a base of power in this list; the
formal base is called legitimate power. A is incorrect: Expert power is a
recognized base. C is incorrect: Information power is a recognized base. D
is incorrect: Referent power is a recognized base.
5. According to Northouse, power is best defined as
A. The capacity or potential to influence
B. The authority to command action
C. A way to promote affection
D. The energy that lets leaders lift heavy burdens
ANSWER : A. Power is the potential or capacity to influence others. B is
incorrect: Authority to command is only one narrow form of power. C is
incorrect: Affection is not what defines power. D is incorrect: This is a
figurative statement, not a definition.
Page 2
, 6. Which set of traits does Northouse identify as central to being seen as a
leader?
A. Humor, creativity, patience, loyalty, and ambition
B. Neuroticism, extraversion, agreeableness, openness, and
conscientiousness
C. Authority, expertise, reward, coercion, and reference
D. Intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability
ANSWER : D. These five traits are the ones highlighted as major
leadership traits. A is incorrect: These traits are not the ones listed in the
text. B is incorrect: This is the Big Five personality set, a different list. C is
incorrect: This is a list of power bases, not traits.
7. What does research suggest about the Big Five personality traits and
leadership?
A. There is no relationship at all
B. There is a strong relationship between them
C. The relationship exists only for neuroticism
D. The relationship exists only in small teams
ANSWER : B. Studies show a strong link between the Big Five and
leadership. A is incorrect: Research found a meaningful connection. C is
incorrect: Several of the five traits are involved, not just one. D is
incorrect: The finding is not limited to team size.
8. The trait approach is most often criticized for failing to take ____ into
account.
A. Emotional intelligence
B. Personality
C. Situations
D. Differences among leaders
ANSWER : C. It looks at the leader's traits but largely ignores the
situation. A is incorrect: Emotional intelligence is not the central criticism.
B is incorrect: Personality is actually what the approach studies. D is
incorrect: Differences among leaders are not the main criticism.
Page 3
