Power Influence and Politics
Leadership and Management
BUSM 3195
Table of Content
Introduction 2
Methodology 2
Politics 2
Power 3
Sources of Power 4
Conditions for Using Power 5
Power and Politics 5
Empowerment 5
Empowering others 6
Building a strong positive culture through empowerment 7
Empowerment builds trust 8
Influence 10
Methods of Influence 10
How leaders influence effectively 12
Barriers to Influence 13
Outcomes of Influence Attempts 14
Conclusion 15
Reference List 16
Introduction
Leadership is defined in Gardner (1990) as the process of persuasion and examples which an individual induces a group to take action that is according to the leader’s purpose. In today’s ever-changing environment, leaders are required to perform effectively no matter the objectives. Using various tactics of leadership, leaders can influence the outcomes.
This report will focus on what an effective leader should have in the fields of power, influence and politics.
Methodology
Our research was done through books, articles and websites about leadership theories on power, politics and influence. We also analysed with our past working and studying experience.
Politics
Politics is using power to influence others’ decisions to benefit oneself (Daft, 2007). Politics happens when resources in an organisation are limited and therefore, every department wants more of the available resources so that they can be more effective and efficient in their work.
Disagreements and conflicts are common and unavoidable in an organisation. If used correctly, politics can be useful to an organisation. According to Robbins (2005), it can be used to make decisions on problems that are unresolved or critical issue that may hamper the organisation’s growth.
Stated in Daft (2007), effective leaders gain power by using tactics and negotiation skills to make decisions thus reducing conflicts and increasing cooperation. By
BUSM 3195
Table of Content
Introduction 2
Methodology 2
Politics 2
Power 3
Sources of Power 4
Conditions for Using Power 5
Power and Politics 5
Empowerment 5
Empowering others 6
Building a strong positive culture through empowerment 7
Empowerment builds trust 8
Influence 10
Methods of Influence 10
How leaders influence effectively 12
Barriers to Influence 13
Outcomes of Influence Attempts 14
Conclusion 15
Reference List 16
Introduction
Leadership is defined in Gardner (1990) as the process of persuasion and examples which an individual induces a group to take action that is according to the leader’s purpose. In today’s ever-changing environment, leaders are required to perform effectively no matter the objectives. Using various tactics of leadership, leaders can influence the outcomes.
This report will focus on what an effective leader should have in the fields of power, influence and politics.
Methodology
Our research was done through books, articles and websites about leadership theories on power, politics and influence. We also analysed with our past working and studying experience.
Politics
Politics is using power to influence others’ decisions to benefit oneself (Daft, 2007). Politics happens when resources in an organisation are limited and therefore, every department wants more of the available resources so that they can be more effective and efficient in their work.
Disagreements and conflicts are common and unavoidable in an organisation. If used correctly, politics can be useful to an organisation. According to Robbins (2005), it can be used to make decisions on problems that are unresolved or critical issue that may hamper the organisation’s growth.
Stated in Daft (2007), effective leaders gain power by using tactics and negotiation skills to make decisions thus reducing conflicts and increasing cooperation. By