Paternalistic Leadership: A Boss's Supportive Approach Towards Employee Welfare

What type of leadership style is demonstrated by the boss in the scenario?

A. Paternalistic B. Participative C. Team-oriented D. Autocratic E. Laissez-faire

Where would this leadership style be most appropriate?

A. Australia B. Brazil C. Japan D. United States E. United Kingdom

Answer:

The boss's behavior can be classified as paternalistic leadership, which would be most appropriate in Brazil.

In the scenario provided, the boss's actions demonstrate a paternalistic leadership style. This style involves the leader assuming a parental role and showing personal involvement in employees' welfare. The boss stepping in and trying to help an employee through personal difficulties is an example of this supportive and caring approach.

Paternalistic leadership is most suitable in collectivistic societies like Brazil, where relationships and group harmony are highly valued. Leaders who adopt this style often prioritize their employees' well-being and maintain a close connection with them, similar to a parent-child relationship.

On the other hand, paternalistic leadership may not be as effective in individualistic cultures such as Australia, where leaders tend to focus more on performance and results rather than personal relationships. In these contexts, leadership styles like participative or team-oriented might be more fitting, as they emphasize collaboration and empowerment rather than paternalistic guidance.