The Relationship of Power and Leadership
The Relationship of Power and Leadership
Management 1115 & Leadership
October 7,2012
In the world we live in today the roles of power and leadership are often confused. Although they have similar meanings, they can be distinctly defined between the latter. The key difference between the two is the term of effect. Power is the exercise of leadership, and leadership is only defined if you have power. Leadership always involves attempts on a leader to affect behavior or a follower in a situation, whereas power is not equivalent with influence on another person’s behavior. Although power and leadership have similar meanings, they are certain differences that can point out what makes each other different. What is Power? Power means different things to different people, but it’s most known meaning can be defined as corruption, or having authority over a persons actions. In any strategy or belief, power has its advantages and disadvantages. Some known advantages of power are it allows leaders to be more assertive and confident. The decisions made allows them to choose powerful courses of action and a “ get the job done” approach to all efforts put forth. A disadvantage in power is that it allows people to focus on their own desires and about other perspectives. Power allows leaders to become infatuated that the have the authority to make decisions over people that they forget that it may be malicious or unethical. The amount of power given speaks volume on how people respect you based upon the decisions you make. People often are intimidated by people with power because of the title they hold, not knowing that most have a heart and will listen to your thoughts or beliefs when making decisions that can affect an organization. (Abudi,2011) There are five different types of power: coercive, legitimate, referent, expert, and reward. Coercive power requires followers to believe that the leader has the ability to
Management 1115 & Leadership
October 7,2012
In the world we live in today the roles of power and leadership are often confused. Although they have similar meanings, they can be distinctly defined between the latter. The key difference between the two is the term of effect. Power is the exercise of leadership, and leadership is only defined if you have power. Leadership always involves attempts on a leader to affect behavior or a follower in a situation, whereas power is not equivalent with influence on another person’s behavior. Although power and leadership have similar meanings, they are certain differences that can point out what makes each other different. What is Power? Power means different things to different people, but it’s most known meaning can be defined as corruption, or having authority over a persons actions. In any strategy or belief, power has its advantages and disadvantages. Some known advantages of power are it allows leaders to be more assertive and confident. The decisions made allows them to choose powerful courses of action and a “ get the job done” approach to all efforts put forth. A disadvantage in power is that it allows people to focus on their own desires and about other perspectives. Power allows leaders to become infatuated that the have the authority to make decisions over people that they forget that it may be malicious or unethical. The amount of power given speaks volume on how people respect you based upon the decisions you make. People often are intimidated by people with power because of the title they hold, not knowing that most have a heart and will listen to your thoughts or beliefs when making decisions that can affect an organization. (Abudi,2011) There are five different types of power: coercive, legitimate, referent, expert, and reward. Coercive power requires followers to believe that the leader has the ability to
Bibliography: 1. Abudi, Gina. (August 26, 2011). The 5 Types of Power in Leadership. The Fast Track. September 30, 2012. Retrieved From http://quickbase.intuit.com/blog/2011/08/26/the-5-types-of-power-in-leadership/. 2. Unknown Author. Leadership Power. Learn Management .com. September 30, 2012. Retrieved From http://www.learnmanagement2.com/leadership%20power.htm. 3. Wilson, Robert. (December 31, 2009). Leadership vs. Power. Psychologytoday.com. September 30, 2012. Retrieved From http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-main-ingredient/200912/leadership-vs-power. 4. Unknown Author. Leadership Styles. Choosing the right style for the situation. September 30,2012. Retrieved from : http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newLDR_84.htm.