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9990 · 4.2.3

Leaders and followers flashcards

Revision flashcards for Cambridge 9990 Leaders and followers (syllabus 4.2.3). Flip, recall, then mark a real past-paper question.

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    Leader-member exchange (LMX)?

    Leaders develop different quality relationships — in-group gets trust, autonomy, and information; out-group gets formal contract only.

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    Kelley's followership types?

    Alienated, conformist, pragmatist, passive, exemplary (star) — based on independent thinking vs active engagement.

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    French & Raven's five power bases?

    Legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, referent — later added informational power.

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    Referent power?

    Influence through admiration and identification — followers want to be like the leader.

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    Expert power?

    Influence from knowledge and skill — strongest for technical decisions.

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    Why followership matters?

    Leadership requires willing followers; passive or alienated followers undermine even skilled leaders.

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    What is the core principle of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory?

    LMX theory proposes that leaders develop unique, dyadic relationships with each follower, resulting in an 'in-group' with high-quality relationships and an 'out-group' with low-quality, formal relationships.

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    According to Kelley's (1992) followership model, what are the two dimensions used to classify followers?

    1. The degree of independent, critical thinking. 2. The degree of active vs. passive engagement in their work.

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    Name and define two types of 'personal' power from French and Raven's framework.

    1. Expert Power: Influence based on special skills, knowledge, or expertise. 2. Referent Power: Influence based on being liked, respected, and admired by others (charisma).

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    What is the 'role-making' stage in LMX development?

    The second stage where the leader and member negotiate the member's role. It's a crucial phase where trust is built and the follower can shape their responsibilities, often determining if they become part of the in-group.

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    Define an 'Exemplary Follower' in Kelley's model.

    An Exemplary Follower is a follower who thinks critically and independently, is actively engaged, and contributes innovative ideas. They are not afraid to challenge the leader constructively.

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    What is 'informational power'?

    A sixth base of power later added to French & Raven's model. It stems from controlling access to specific information that others need to do their jobs or make decisions.

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    Define a 'Pragmatist Follower' in Kelley's model.

    A follower who is moderately independent and engaged. They tend to wait and see which way the wind is blowing before committing, often preserving the status quo. They are also called 'survivors'.

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    Define a 'Conformist Follower' in Kelley's model.

    A follower who is highly engaged but not an independent, critical thinker. They are 'yes-people' who actively carry out orders without question, which can be risky for an organisation.

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    What is the LMX-7 scale?

    A 7-item questionnaire used in organisational research to measure the quality of the leader-member exchange relationship from the follower's perspective. High scores indicate a high-quality, 'in-group' relationship.