Part 1

Styles of Leadership

You were recently hired to manage a team at a manufacturing company located in the U.S.A. The team is made up of four individuals who are from the “baby boomer” generation, and one individual, Trevor, who is from the “millennial” generation. Trevor says that the main problem with this organization is that the organization is not run like it is in the 21st century. He says the policies are outdated and the previous manager was always asking him questions such as:

• “What do you mean you don’t want to input data from the office and you want more flexibility, such as more time working from home?”
• “You think you are ready to lead a team?”
• “Where’s your tie?

Trevor has been performing at an average level but says he could take his performance up a level if leadership was more responsive to his suggestions. Another team member expressed concerns about Trevor, saying that he always wants special treatment. You want to start off in a strong way with Trevor and the whole team.

• What are two leadership styles you might try in working with Trevor, and what might be the strengths and limits of each leadership style?
• How important is it to adapt one’s style when leading?

Cite at least two primary sources from psychological research journal articles or other scholarly resources to explore this topic of discussion. Use the textbook only for context, or as a jumping-off point.

Part 2

Leadership Within a Cultural Context

Identify a leadership situation in which there was a lack of diversity awareness or cross-cultural competence. Discuss the following:

• What behaviors were evident?
• Were any of the GLOBE study cultural dimensions involved? If so, which ones? (For example, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, collectivism, gender egalitarianism, future orientation, humane orientation, and so on.)
• Which of the suggestions provided in course readings or in your research this week might be useful in considering ways to enhance the leader’s capacity to work within the cultural context of the situation you identified?

Cite at least two primary sources from psychological research journal articles or other scholarly resources to explore this topic of discussion. Use the textbook only for context, or a jumping-off point.