This activity is important because as a manager, you should be aware that leaders emerge in groups that dont have direction or supervision. A leader who emerges can influence the attitudes and norms of the group. Although emergent leader traits are not as impactful on effectiveness as leader behaviors, they may be important in leaderless groups. The goal of this exercise is to demonstrate your understanding of leader emergence and effectiveness by reading a case and answering questions. Read the case about leader emergence and answer the questions that follow. In Greek mythology, Narcissus was in love with his handsomeness. His arrogance and self-interest is what killed him, though. He couldnt take his eyes off himself while staring in a pool of water and died while looking at his reflection. Narcissists, or people who lack empathy and crave admiration from others, judge themselves more favorably as leaders than others do. They see themselves as the best people to bring group success, and, therefore, are likely to step up and volunteer for leadership positions. However, their self-interest can lead people in a direction that is only serving their goals. Fortunately, true narcissists make up a very small part of the population, so a persons slighter tendency toward self-interest is more applicable to leadership situations you may encounter. Its not all bad narcissistic attributes are positive correlated with extraversion and openness to experience, two positive qualities in leaders. Narcissism is correlated with creativity, also. Narcissism is negatively correlated with agreeableness, another trait associated with emergence, but not effectiveness. Moreover, the tendency toward self-interest would lure the person into pursuing his or her own goals rather than your groups or your companys. These leaders are more likely to make sure others know what great things they have accomplished and perhaps not what you have accomplished. If your organization has strong norms and values, it is unlikely that a narcissistic person will be successful as a leader. Negative effects can be minimized if you have discussed rules, norms, and values, and if you have set specific goals and group roles. In fact, if a narcissistic employee emerges as a leader in a group with strong values, that person probably will be unsuccessful and is not likely to be allowed to emerge again.

1. What trait are narcissists likely to have that is associated with leader emergence but not effectiveness?

Multiple Choice

high neuroticism

low openness to experience

high creativity

high introversion

low agreeableness

2. A narcissistic leader would like to influence an employee to take on the job duties that make the leader look best, regardless of whether they reflect badly on the employee, using a process called

Multiple Choice

role taking.

role making.

equity.

employee-centered.

dyadic.

3.