Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on the passage:
Leadership studies are an emergent discipline, and the concept of leadership will continue to change. Leadership lore is defined as an influence relationship among leaders and followers who want real change and outcomes that reflect their shared purpose. Leadership involves influence. It occurs among people who intentionally seek significant change, and the changes reflect a shared purpose among leaders and their followers.
Influence means that the relationship among people is not passive; however, it is also part of this definition that influence is multidirectional. It does not use orders or threats to make somebody do something. The basic cultural values in America make it easiest to think of leadership as something a leader does to a follower. However, leadership has an effect in both directions. In most organizations, superiors influence subordinates, but subordinates also influence superiors. The people involved in the relationship want real and important changes- leadership involves creating change, not maintaining what normally happens.
The passage explains how leadership is different from routine management for several reasons:
(a) Leadership demands intentional, meaningful change rather than merely maintaining what typically happens.
(b) Leadership mainly depends on making people follow rules through orders and tight control.
(c) Leadership does not focus on change but instead reinforces the patterns already in place in the organization.
(d) Leadership is about keeping things stable and making sure current practices continue smoothly.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The passage explicitly defines leadership through the lens of intentional change and shared purpose. Here is why option A is the correct answer:
The Text States: "...leadership involves creating change, not maintaining what normally happens."
Contrast with Management: While routine management often focuses on stability and following established rules, the passage emphasizes that leadership is an "influence relationship" where participants "intentionally seek significant change."
Option ‘A’ is the correct answer.