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Leadership Described

Leadership Described

In the following section we will examine how leadership is practiced and will examine the following.

How leadership as a trait differs from it as a process.

Appointed vs. Emergent

How power and coercion differ from leadership.

Trait VS. Process

Phrases such as “They are a born leader”, “They are a natural leader” are expressed by people using a Trait Approach.

People have innate characteristics of leadership they are born with.

Trait VS Process

Focus on physical factors (height, appearance), personality features (charisma), and abilities (public speaking).

Excluded those who do not have these traits.

Trait VS. Process

Process theory states leadership occurs within a context or activity, is open to anyone, and can also be learned.

Not something you are born with.

Leadership is a result of interaction with followers in which decision making is based on including input from followers.

Trait VS. Process

Trait

Leader

Appearance

Intelligence

Charisma

Speech Fluency

Followers

Process

Leader

(Interaction)

Followers

Assigned VS. Emergent Leadership

Some people are leaders because of their formal position in a group.

They have titles which carry power and others follow because of the group’s structure or rules.

They are not always true leaders as people are not choosing to follow them.

Assigned VS. Emergent

When others perceive an individual as the most influential member of a group despite their position they are emergent leaders.

Leadership and Power

Power is the ability to influence others.

People have power when they can influence others’ beliefs, attitudes and actions.

Divided into Personal Power and Position Power.

Leadership and PowerPosition Power

Position Power is derived from holding rank in the group.

They have higher status and assigned followers.

Not chosen by followers.

Leadership and PowerPersonal Power

Personal Power is the influence received from demonstrated ability.

It is based on how followers see them through interaction, good role models.

They are seen as competent and their leadership is granted through positive relationships with followers.

5 Bases of Power

Referent Power – Based on followers’ liking for the leader.

Expert Power – Based on perceptions of the leader’s competence abilities.

Legitimate Power – comes with having a position or formal job authority.

Reward Power – Comes from having the power to reward others.

Coercive Power – Comes from having the ability to punish or penalize others.

Coercive Power

Coercive power involves the use of force to effect change.

Influencing others to do something by manipulating the penalties and rewards in their environment.

Involves threats, punishment, propaganda.

Leaders only interested in their own goals or vision, no common goal.

Questions

1. Which description of leadership do you think is more accurate Trait or Process leadership? Explain.

2. Provide an example for each of the 5 bases of Power. Explain how they are examples.

3. Does coercive power fit into our definition of leadership from the previous class? Explain.