The BASK names nine leadership theories as key concepts under Leadership & Navigation. The questions test recall of that exact list, so learn the nine and learn the famous theories that are missing from it.
The nine
Situational, transformational, participative, inclusive, leader-member exchange, servant, transactional, trait, and contingency.
- Contingency is the last entry on the list. Servant is on it too. Any option that excludes either one is wrong.
- Leader-member exchange is named in full; it is the entry people fail to recognize under that name.
What is NOT on the list
- Path-goal theory is a well-known leadership theory, but the BASK does not name it.
- Managerial grid theory is a leadership style grid, not on the list.
- Great man theory is the predecessor of trait theory. Trait theory is the entry that appears; great man is not.
The one that echoes a competency
Inclusive leadership is the theory whose name is mirrored by a Leadership cluster competency: inclusion is the organizing idea of Inclusive Mindset, the cluster's third competency. Trait and situational are on the list but have no counterpart competency. Transactional is about exchange-based motivation, not a competency title.
The other key concepts
Leadership & Navigation key concepts are not only theories. They also include people management techniques, influence and persuasion techniques, and personal leadership qualities.
Items test this by offering a key concept from a neighbouring competency:
- Opt-in and opt-out privacy policies and standards for employee investigations belong to Ethical Practice.
- Pay equity reports and pay transparency belong to Inclusive Mindset.
Carry this in: nine leadership theories, and the list is illustrative because the BASK prefixes it with "Examples include."