Fundamentals of Management, 8th ed

TOUGH TIMES, TOUGH CHOICES (Continued)

Helpful__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Frustrating

8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

Tense __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Relaxed

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

Boring __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ Interesting

1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8

LPC theory

A theory of

leadership that

suggests that the

appropriate style of

leadership varies

with situational

favorableness

LPC measure

The measuring scale

that asks leaders to

describe the person

with whom he or she

is able to work least

well (the least-

preferred coworker,

or LPC)

336

Part 4: Leading

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The leader’s LPC score is then calculated by adding up the numbers below the line

checked on each scale. Note in these three examples that the higher numbers are

associated with positive qualities (helpful, relaxed, and interesting), whereas the negative

qualities (frustrating, tense, and boring) have low point values. A high total score is

assumed to reflect a relationship orientation on the part of the leader, and a low score

a task orientation on his or her part. The LPC measure is controversial because researchers

disagree about its validity. Some question exactly what an LPC measure reflects and

whether the score is an index of behavior, personality, or some other factor.

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