According to the path-goal theory of leadership:

A) great leaders are born, not made.
B) the best leaders possess high levels of emotional intelligence.
C) directive leadership is ineffective when employees are experienced and work in routine jobs.
D) leaders are considered effective by followers when they act and look consistently with the perceptions and stereotypes that followers hold of ideal leaders.
E) achievement-oriented leadership is the most effective style of leadership.

The path-goal theory of leadership asserts that leaders must adapt their leadership style to fit the employee and the task at hand. It suggests that directive leadership is appropriate for inexperienced employees or when the task is unclear or ambiguous, but that it is ineffective when employees are experienced and work in routine jobs. Therefore, option C is the best choice. The other options are either incorrect (A, B, D) or too broad (E), as the effectiveness of leadership style depends on the situation and the characteristics of the followers.