Some Say There Are Almost as Many Definitions of Leadership

question 277

Multiple Choice

Some say there are almost as many definitions of leadership as there are people who have tried to define the concept. Although different definitions sound similar, they have important differences. Compare and contrast these definitions, for example: Alistair: A leader is someone who can influence others and who has managerial authority.
Bentham: Leaders have the ability to influence a group toward the achievement of a vision or set of goals.
Cooke: Leaders exercise influence and control over other members to help a group or organization achieve the organization's goals.
Which of the following would be a leader according to Bentham's definition of leadership but would not be a leader according to Alistair's definition of leadership?

• A) A CEO who is able to shape the direction of a large organization
• B) An executive who is unable to affect the actions of others due to fundamental concerns about his competence
• C) A blogger with a wide audience who is effective at convincing others to adopt her political opinions
• D) An isolated individual with strong opinions about the most effective ways to run a business while respecting codes of ethics
• E) A middle manager who directs those under her authority to achieve the goals defined by top management

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Definitions:

Variable Overhead Rate Variance

The difference between the actual variable overhead incurred and the standard cost allocated, based on the actual activity levels.

Manufacturing Overhead

All manufacturing costs except direct materials and direct labor.

Standard Cost System

A cost accounting system that utilizes standard costs for material, labor, and overhead to estimate the cost of goods produced or services rendered.

Variable Overhead Rate Variance

This refers to the difference between what the variable overhead costs were expected to be versus what they actually were, measured against the standard cost of production.