Penn Foster Principles of Management (BUS 110) Practice Test 2026 - Free Management Practice Questions and Study Guide

The leadership perspective demonstrated by a manager whose employees comply because they fear consequences aligns with authoritarian leadership. This style is characterized by a clear distinction between the leader and the team, where the leader exerts control and enforces obedience through the fear of punishment or negative repercussions.

In this context, the authoritarian leader dictates policies and procedures, making decisions with little input from employees. The motivation for the employees in this scenario is not based on trust, inspiration, or empowerment but rather on an avoidance of negative outcomes, such as reprimands or job loss.

This contrasts with transformational leadership, which focuses on inspiring and motivating employees through vision and positive reinforcement; situational leadership, which suggests adapting leadership styles based on the context and needs of employees; and transactional leadership, which relies on clear exchanges or transactions—the use of rewards and punishments based on performance, but still revolves around collaborative processes rather than fear-based compliance.