The purpose of this exercise is to expose participants to the impact of different leadership styles on the effectiveness and success of a team. Each team is lead by a volunteer who takes on a specific leadership role (listed below), are charged with constructing a list of products and then selling those products. The success of each company, just as in the real world, is significantly affected by its leader and the leadership style he/she imposes.
Different leadeeship styles used in this exercise:
Democratic - vote on all decisions
Delagative/Laissez Faire - disinterested, aloof, relaxed, non-assertive, lack forcefulness, sociable
Authoritarian & Autocratic - boss of the company, do it in a domineering way. Dominant, poor listener, zest for combat, forced ideas, inflexible
Consultative/Participative - open, up front, very encouraging, good listener, flexible, receptive, assertive, goal orientated
The groups work together to create products our of wooden popsicle sticks and then try to sell them to buyers. The room was filled with loud activity as the students tried to get the buyers attention and sell their products. The students seemed to feel that the most effective leader would be a consultative/participative leader.