BUS5116 Leading Organizations Unit 2 Graded Quiz — 25 Q&A
Verified Answers 2025
Course:
BUS5116 Leading Organizations — University of the People (UoPeople)
Level:
MBA
Year:
2025/2026
Format:
Graded Quiz Solutions — 25 Q&A with Verified Answers
BUS5116 Unit 2 Graded Quiz — Trait and Behavioral Leadership
Theories
25 Questions with Verified Answers | Score: 96/100
Question 1:
The "Great Man" theory of leadership, one of the earliest trait theories, fundamentally proposes
that:
A) Anyone can become a great leader through rigorous training and mentorship.
B) Leadership qualities are inherently tied to physical stature and intelligence.
C) Leaders are born with exceptional inherent qualities that destine them for greatness.
D) Great leadership emerges primarily in times of profound crisis or conflict.
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Great Man theory, popularized in the 19th century, posits that historical events are largely
influenced by the impact of "great men," or heroes. It suggests that leadership capacity is innate—
that great leaders are born, not made—and possess unique, inherent traits that separate them
from followers. Options A and D reflect behavioral and situational theories, respectively, rather
than trait theory.
, Question 2:
According to early trait research, which of the following is consistently identified as a core
leadership trait associated with the desire to influence and lead others?
A) Introversion
B) Drive
C) Empathy
D) Technical proficiency
Answer: B
Explanation:
"Drive" encompasses a high level of effort, including a strong desire for achievement, ambition,
high energy, tenacity, and initiative. This core trait is frequently cited in leadership research as
essential for motivating oneself and others toward goals. While empathy (C) and technical
proficiency (D) are valuable, drive is a foundational trait specifically linked to the motivation to
lead.
Question 3:
A significant shift occurred in leadership research moving from Trait Theory to Behavioral Theory.
What was the primary reason for this paradigm shift?
A) Trait theory was too expensive to validate in corporate environments.
B) Researchers realized traits were culturally subjective and could not be universally applied.
C) Trait theory could not consistently identify a definitive set of traits that guaranteed leadership
success across all situations.
D) Behavioral theories were heavily promoted by the rising influence of behaviorist psychology in
the mid-20th century.
Answer: C
Explanation:
The fundamental flaw of trait theory was its inability to pinpoint a universal list of traits that
guaranteed effective leadership in every context. Because individuals with different traits could be
equally successful leaders depending on the situation, researchers shifted their focus to
observable behaviors—what leaders do rather than what they are.
Question 4:
The Ohio State University leadership studies identified two independent dimensions of leadership
behavior. What are they?
Verified Answers 2025
Course:
BUS5116 Leading Organizations — University of the People (UoPeople)
Level:
MBA
Year:
2025/2026
Format:
Graded Quiz Solutions — 25 Q&A with Verified Answers
BUS5116 Unit 2 Graded Quiz — Trait and Behavioral Leadership
Theories
25 Questions with Verified Answers | Score: 96/100
Question 1:
The "Great Man" theory of leadership, one of the earliest trait theories, fundamentally proposes
that:
A) Anyone can become a great leader through rigorous training and mentorship.
B) Leadership qualities are inherently tied to physical stature and intelligence.
C) Leaders are born with exceptional inherent qualities that destine them for greatness.
D) Great leadership emerges primarily in times of profound crisis or conflict.
Answer: C
Explanation:
The Great Man theory, popularized in the 19th century, posits that historical events are largely
influenced by the impact of "great men," or heroes. It suggests that leadership capacity is innate—
that great leaders are born, not made—and possess unique, inherent traits that separate them
from followers. Options A and D reflect behavioral and situational theories, respectively, rather
than trait theory.
, Question 2:
According to early trait research, which of the following is consistently identified as a core
leadership trait associated with the desire to influence and lead others?
A) Introversion
B) Drive
C) Empathy
D) Technical proficiency
Answer: B
Explanation:
"Drive" encompasses a high level of effort, including a strong desire for achievement, ambition,
high energy, tenacity, and initiative. This core trait is frequently cited in leadership research as
essential for motivating oneself and others toward goals. While empathy (C) and technical
proficiency (D) are valuable, drive is a foundational trait specifically linked to the motivation to
lead.
Question 3:
A significant shift occurred in leadership research moving from Trait Theory to Behavioral Theory.
What was the primary reason for this paradigm shift?
A) Trait theory was too expensive to validate in corporate environments.
B) Researchers realized traits were culturally subjective and could not be universally applied.
C) Trait theory could not consistently identify a definitive set of traits that guaranteed leadership
success across all situations.
D) Behavioral theories were heavily promoted by the rising influence of behaviorist psychology in
the mid-20th century.
Answer: C
Explanation:
The fundamental flaw of trait theory was its inability to pinpoint a universal list of traits that
guaranteed effective leadership in every context. Because individuals with different traits could be
equally successful leaders depending on the situation, researchers shifted their focus to
observable behaviors—what leaders do rather than what they are.
Question 4:
The Ohio State University leadership studies identified two independent dimensions of leadership
behavior. What are they?
