M/s Zeman Ltd. deals in consumer goods. It employs 100 workers and 10 operative managers who give guidance and support to the workers while operating the machinery. The company has a policy of granting leave as per the requirements of the workers. Workers are generally granted leave on festivals and special occasions. Recently, at the Puja festival, it received a big order. Workers were keen to take Puja holidays while management was pressing hard for overtime. This matter was placed before the Personnel Manager, who called the meeting of operative managers by circulating a circular among the operative managers. Operative managers were told to inform the workers about the changes in the incentive plan which states payment of double wages for working overtime and triple wages for working on holidays. Workers, without any pressure, voluntarily took limited holidays and were able to increase their earnings by working overtime and on holidays. During the Board of Directors meeting, the Personnel Manager was asked to update the management to achieve higher output, meeting timely supplies without any confrontation with workers. The personnel manager replied, “I just used a carrot with a no-sticks approach”.
"Workers, without any pressure, voluntarily took limited holidays and were able to increase their earnings by working overtime and on holidays" Identify the feature of leadership referred to here:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Leadership tries to bring change in the behaviour of others.
Option (1) Leadership is exercised to achieve the personal goals of the employees — Incorrect. Leadership is exercised to achieve the common goals of the organisation. Here the goal was the company’s: higher output and timely supply of the big order.
Option (2) Leadership indicates interpersonal relations between leaders and management. — Incorrect. Leadership shows the relations between leaders and followers, not between leaders and management.
Option (3) Leadership is a continuous process. — Incorrect. This feature is true of leadership, but the line speaks of one change in the workers’ conduct, not of leadership going on all the time.
Option (4) Leadership tries to bring change in the behaviour of others. — Correct. The workers first wanted Puja holidays. After the new plan they voluntarily took limited holidays and worked overtime, without any pressure. The Personnel Manager changed their behaviour by winning their willing cooperation, which is the mark of leadership.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Leadership … Leadership is the process of influencing the behaviour of people by making them strive voluntarily towards achievement of organisational goals. Leadership indicates the ability of an individual to maintain good interpersonal relations with followers and motivate them to contribute for achieving organisational objectives.” “Features of leadership An examination of the above definition reveals the following important features of leadership: “(ii) Leadership tries to bring change in the behaviour of others.” “(iii) Leadership indicates interpersonal relations between leaders and followers.” “(iv) Leadership is exercised to achieve common goals of the organisation.” “(v) Leadership is a continuous process.” |