Leadership

Leadership and Power Prepared By:Siti Rokiah Siwokfor UHS 2062 at UTM Skudai Johore.srsiwwok@gmail.com Introduction A leader can be defined as the person who is appointed , elected or informally chosen to direct and co-ordinate the work of others in a group (Fiedler, 1995, pg 7, in Arnold, 2005).Leadership can be considered to be the personal qualities , behaviours, styles and decisions adopted by the leader. It concerns how the leader carries out her/his role. Although the role of the leader may be listed or described, leadership is not so easily pinned down. Food for thoughts The real leader of a group may not the person who was formally appointed to the role (Arnold, 2005).There is no perfect indicator of leadership effectiveness, but the work performance of his or her workgroup or organisation is probably the best (Arnold, 2005).Work organisations are increasingly reliant upon rapid and skilful innovation and use of information at all levels; leadership based upon monitoring and control of subordinates is no longer appropriate.Some questions related to leadershipAre leaders born?Or are they being bred/developed?Is it to do with a set of specific skills and behaviours?What makes a good organizational leader?What about you?

CharacteristicsLeaders have special characteristics . 17% ( study by Illies , Gerhardt and Le, 2004) of leaders are with genetic basis. Recent reviews show that :People high in openness, conscientiousness, extraversion and low in neuroticism are more likely to emerge as leaders (Judge, Bono, Ilies and Gerhardt, 2002)High self monitors emerge as leaders more often then low self-monitors.More intelligent However, there are disagreements..Approaches to understanding leadership The trait approachThe behaviour approachThe contingency approachThe leader member exchange ( LMX) theoryTransformational leadership theory

The trait approachConcerned with determining the personal characteristics of good leaders.Concerned with questions such as Who will make good leaders?Personal characteristics and leader performance: TraitsMeta-analysis by Youngjohn (1999) found that individual-difference variables were good predictors of leadership performance. Individuals who are charismatic, dominant, energetic and high in self-monitoring were more effective leaders than were people who scored lower on the four traits.Youngjohn(1999) also found that management, decision making and oral-communication skills were highly correlated with leadership effectiveness.

Self-monitoringThe concept of self-monitoring focus on what leaders do, not what they are. Example: a high self-monitoring leader may posses the trait of shyness and tend to prefer alone. Knowing that part of her job is to communicate with her employs such as saying hello when she arrives at work, so she says hello to her employs when she arrives in the morning etc. thus the leader has the trait of shyness but adapt s her outward behaviour to the need of the situation. Personal characteristics and leader performance: TraitsIn another meta-analysis (Judge et al, 2002), these traits are found to be positively correlate to leader performance:Extr0version OpennessAgreeablenessConscientiousness

Neuroticism negatively relates to leader performance.The behaviour approachConcerned with finding out which leader behaviours are effective?Ask questions such as What do good leaders do? The contingency approachThis approach assumes that good leader ship is a function of the interplay of the person, the persons behaviour and the situation.

Questions often asked, such as Under a given condition, who will be a good leader, and what behaviour is likely to be effective?Leader and situationFiedlers contingency model holds that any leader is effective only in certain situations. Thus Fiedler argue that rather than change the leadership style , leadership training should concentrate on helping people understand their leadership style and manipulate the environment to make a perfect match. Contingency theory: FieldersFielder does not believe that leaders should attempt to adapt their style to the particular situation, but supervisors should modify the situation to be appropriate to the leaders leadership style.

Fiedler developed Least Preferred coworker scale Fiedlers ideas supported by researchesFiedlers training program : Leader matchContingency theory: Path goal theoryPath goal theory is a contingency theory which posits that subordinate job performance and job satisfaction is a result of the interplay of situational characteristics , subordinate characteristics and supervisor ( leader ) style. The basic idea is based on expectancy theory, in which a supervisor ( leader) can enhance the motivation and job satisfaction of subordinates by :providing rewards good job performancemaking easier for subordinates to achieve their goalsContingency theory: Path goal theoryA supervisor ( leader) can enhance the motivation and job satisfaction of subordinates through four supervisory styles :Supportive styleDirective ( instrumental ) styleParticipative styleAchievement styleSituational leadership styles based on employee ability and willingnessDirectingSupportingCoachingDelegatingEmployeeWillingness Level UnableAbleUnwillingWilling (Aamodt, 2007; page 415)P Leader and situationIMPACT theory, developed by Geier, Downey and Johnson (1980).Leaders have six ( 6) behaviour styles : informational, magnetic, position, affiliation, coercive and tactical.Each style is effective with only one particular situation or organizational climateIMPACT THEORYInformational style in climate of ignoranceMagnetic style in a climate of despairPosition style in a climate of instabilityAffiliation style in a climate of anxietyCoercive style in a climate of crisisTactical style in a climate of disorganizationIMPACT THEORY: STRATEGIESFind a climate consistent with your leadership styleChange your leadership style to better fit the climateChange your followers perception of the climateChange the actual climateThe LMX TheoryThe LMX theory focuses on the subordinate-supervisor dyad rather than on the supervisor and the work group.

As a group of subordinates are not homogenous, this theory propose that each supervisor treats each subordinate differently. The transformational leadership theoryThis theory deals with leaders who have great /exceptional influence over their subordinates or supporters.This approach focuses on how leaders affect their followers, as transformational leaders lead their followers by inspiring the followers to adopt high goals and strive to achieve them.

Transformational leaders (TL)TL develops, inspires and challenges the intellect of the followers in order to go beyond their self-interest in the service of a higher collective purpose, mission or vision.TL are ambitious, but realistic; they also articulate clearly and in inspirational ways.Followers feel motivated and emotionally attached to the leader.Followers are aware ( and accept) the leaders vision and goals.Four components of transformational leadershipIndividualised consideration : the leader treats each follower on his or her own merits and seeks to develop followers through delegation of projects and coaching/mentoring.Intellectual stimulation: the leader encourages free thinking and emphasis reasoning before any action is taken.Inspirational motivation: the leader creates an optimistic, clear and attainable vision of the future, thus encouraging others to raise their expectations.Four components of transformational leadershipIdealised influence or charisma : the leader makes personal sacrifices, takes responsibility for his or her actions, shares any glory and shows great determination. Charismatic leadersCharismatic leaders tend to be viewed by researchers as a perception of a leader held by followers as well as the characteristics of the leader him/herself. The perception need not necessarily stem from the leaders behaviours ( Gardner & Avolio, 1998, in Arnold 2005). A leader is not charismatic unless described as such by his or her followers. Charismatic leadersFive aspects of charismatic leadership , according to data collected from 250 managers by Conger et al (2000, in Arnold 2005):The leader formulates a strategic vision and articulates that vision.The leader takes personal risks in pursuit of the vision.The leader is sensitive to the opportunities and limitations provided by the environment (eg technology etc)The leader is sensitive to other peoples needs.The leader sometimes does unusual or unexpected things. 27Transformational leadership and charismaThe extent to which leaders are perceived (by themselves, subordinates and their supervisors ) to use elements of transformational leadership is consistently positively correlated with perceptions of their effectiveness and satisfaction of their leadership. Research by Conger et al (2000, in Arnold 2005) found that when followers perceive their leader as charismatic, they form more of a sense of group identity, empowerment and reverence for the leader.28Transformational leadership and charismaThe concepts of transformational leadership and charismatic leadership represent an important advance in understanding how leadership can be described and how to be an effective leader.However, subordinates or followers need to be cautious so that :Transformational and charismatic leaders are not treated God-like or persons who do no wrong. Transformational and charismatic leaders visions are appropriate and cause no harm.Other elements in the organization are taken into account.

More on leaders characteristics and leaders performance : NeedsResearch by Mc Clelland and Burnham (1976) and McClelland and Boyatzis (1982) demonstrates that high performance managers have a leadership motive pattern; high need for power and low need for affiliation. The need for power is NOT for personal power but for ORGANIZATIONAL POWER. Needs for power, achievement and affiliation can be measured through various psychological tests; such as the Thematic Appreciation Test(TAT) or the Job Choice Exercise(JCE) or by examining their themes in their speeches and writings.

More on leaders characteristics and leaders performance :orientationThree major school of thoughts have postulated that differences in leader performance can be attributed to the extent to which leaders are TASK vs PERSON ORIENTED. Consequences of leaders orientationLowperformanceLow turnoverLow grievance rateHigh performanceLowturnoverLow grievance rate

Low performanceHighturnoverHigh grievance rateHigh performanceHighturnoverHigh grievance rate

High Low Person orientationLowHighTask orientationTask vs Person-Oriented leadersTask -oriented leaders such as task centered leaders, Theory X leaders and leaders high in initiating structure , define and structure their own roles and subordinates roles to attain the groups formal goals.Task -oriented leaders see their employees as lazy, extrinsically motivated, wanting security, undisciplined and shirking responsibility.Because of the above assumptions, task-oriented leaders tend to lead or manage by giving directives, setting goals and making decision without consulting their subordinates.Task vs Person- Orientated leadersPerson orientated leaders such as country club leaders, Theory Y leaders, and those leaders high in consideration act in a warm and supportive manner and show concern for their subordinate. Person oriented leaders believe that employees are intrinsically motivated, seek responsibility, are self controlled and do not necessarily dislike work.Because of the above, person-oriented leaders consult their subordinates before making decisions, praise their subordinates and concern about the employees families etcSituational leadership theoryDeveloped by Hersey and Blanchard (1988); four leadership styles :DelegatingDirectingSupportingCoaching

Unsuccessful or poor leadersAccording to Hogan (1989):Lack of leadership trainingTrained after being hiredCognitive deficienciesUnable to learn from experienceDo not able to think strategically

PersonalityInsecure ..and adopting one of these : Paranoid, Passive aggressive, narcissist, high-likeability floater Power and controlWork organisations are systems with hierarchy, social relationships, status and power ( Mullins, 2006)Power may be seen as the control or influence over the behaviour of other people with or without their consent ( Mullins, 2006)Power is important to leaders. Leaders who have power are able to obtain more resources, dictate policy and make advances in the organisation etc compared to leaders who have no or little power ( Aamodt, 2007).Means to be a leaderLeadership through decision making (Vroom-Yetton model) Leadership through contact (management by walking around)Leadership through power ( expert power, legitimate power, reward and coercive powers, referent power)Leadership through vision (transformational leadership). Leadership and genderA complex issueWhat about culture?Reference Aamodt, M.G (2007). Industrial /organizational psychology. An applied approach. Belmont, CA: Thomson.Arnold, J. ( 2005). Work Psychology (4th ed). England: Prentice HallSpector, P. E (2008). Industrial and Organizational Psychology (5th ed.) . New Jersey : WileyMullins, L. J. ( 2006). Essentials of Organizational Behaviour. England : Prentice Hall