StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Power Influence Approach - Coursework Example

Cite this document
Summary
In the paper "Power Influence Approach", the author will talk about the power influence approach to leadership. The author will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the power influence approach. Examples of how this approach is used in organizations will also be outlined…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.5% of users find it useful
Power Influence Approach
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Power Influence Approach"

The concept of leadership is explained through many different theories and approaches among which the power influence approach is an important one. This view of leadership that talks about power and how it is used to influence people in order to get the job done. The power influence approach sees power as the central element of leadership and is interested in finding how leaders assume and lose power. The influence of power is considered important in this approach because it makes people follow the leader.

The power influence approach also explains how a leader can use his or her power to influence not only subordinates but also peers, customers, and suppliers (Yukul, 2010). The French and Raven (1959) model outlines five sources of power namely expert, referent, reward, coercive, and legitimate. These sources can be used to assume power and then can be used to ‘influence’ subordinates. Expert power comes from a unique set of knowledge and skill that builds the trust of subordinates and in turn subordinates follow the leader.

Doctors and high tech engineers can have expert power. Reward power is the power to delegate rewards and this can also make employees follow their leader. Referent power is related to personal approval and acceptance. Celebrities and political figures have this power usually. Coercive power breeds compliance through the use of threats and punishment. Legitimate power stems from the position or job title of a leader. All these sources of power can be used to influence employees.Strengths and WeaknessesThis approach is extremely effective because power can be used to get the job done.

People are usually influenced by power and therefore the relationship between power and leadership seems strong. Also, this approach takes a very natural look at leadership and simply suggests how employees can be made to follow their bosses.The weaknesses of this approach are quite obvious. Power is always not a good thing for building relationships. Managers might use power to influence employees but this might undermine employee satisfaction. Moreover, power sometimes underpins creativity as people begin to follow a predetermined path that is directed by their leader.

For creativity, employee freedom and satisfaction are essential which is sacrificed by the power-influence approach.Example of Power-Influence Approach US army is the best example of a power-influence approach as leadership is done through the influence of power. All subordinate soldiers respect their superiors because they enjoy legitimate power. Also sometimes in army coercive power is used to make employees follow a strict routine. Another example of the use of this approach is McDonald's.

The food chain company has a standardized system all over the world. This is due to their strict control and power-influence leadership approach.ConclusionThe power-influence approach is quite useful in getting the job done through subordinates. It explains leadership through power in a simplified way. We as human beings have a tendency to follow people who are powerful and therefore this approach is close to our natural tendencies. But this approach can also cause dissatisfaction among employees.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Power Influence Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/management/1590775-power-influence-approach
(Power Influence Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
https://studentshare.org/management/1590775-power-influence-approach.
“Power Influence Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/management/1590775-power-influence-approach.
  • Cited: 4 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Power Influence Approach

Influence Internet and Digital Technologies on Supply Chain

A bid to understand the impact of internet application to SCM leads to the following approach of explanations.... The paper will address the influence created by internet and other digital technology on supply chain management.... The move from the traditional system to the electronic system was because of the influence created by the electronic system to the organisation performance.... Factors, which influence the interdependence, are bargaining power and supply power among others....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

A Link Between Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Style

The power-influence approach takes on a more leader-centered perspective in that power is used not only to manage subordinates but also to influence peers, superiors, and even people outside the organization.... The behavior approach studies the leader's typical pattern of behavior to manage and lead.... nbsp; The situational approach sees leadership as affected by contextual factors such as characteristics of followers, nature of the work performed, the type of organization and the nature of the external environment....
10 Pages (2500 words) Assignment

Leadership Theories: The Evolution of Context

These variables are categorized into approaches which include traits approach, behavior approach, Power Influence Approach, situational approach and integrative approach.... Power-influence approach Power-influence approach deals with investigating effect procedures between leaders and other individuals.... Based on this assumption, various approaches to leadership are being discussed below: Trait approach Trait approach is regarded as one of the oldest approaches for learning leadership....
7 Pages (1750 words) Assignment

SKILL DEVELOPMENT PAPER

Skill Development Paper Introduction The recent weeks have given me opportunities to turn inwards and evaluate my own skills as a future professional in a globalized setting.... I realized I have much potential to be successful in any chosen career if I develop my skills in creativity, leadership, communication, negotiation and team-building....
25 Pages (6250 words) Essay

Involvement of Power, Politics in the Leadership and Organisational Processes

The "Power Influence Approach" by Yukl (1989) states that the efficiency of the leadership process in an organization depends on the extent and level of power that is occupied by the leader.... hellip; The leadership process further specifies the individual and collective efforts in the form of groups to accomplish the organizational goals. Power refers to the capability of a person to control, influence and guide the behavior of other persons in the organization whereas politics in an organization refers to the individual or collective behavior undertaken for the acquisition and imposition of power within the organization and its resources to gain the desired benefits (Managing Leadership and influence Processes, 16....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

Being Captain of the Ship of Diversity

Because of his positive influence, he gains the respect of everyone to follow his lead while pursuing a common mission for the growth and development of the organization (Leithwood & Riehl,2003).... The author states that it may be a challenge to sustain a diverse organization, but if people learn to accept others, then it is a huge step to achieving harmony....
10 Pages (2500 words) Article

Alternative Approaches to Executive Compensation

This gives the managers a lot of substantial power… Managers may use this power to serve their interests There are two ways of linking executive competition and agency problem, which include the optimal contracting approach and the managerial power approach.... This gives the managers a lot of substantial power Managers may use this power to serve their interests There are two ways of linking executive competition and agency problem, which include the optimal contracting approach and the managerial power approach....
1 Pages (250 words) Essay

An Effective Leader

He easily gains respect due to the positive influence he brings to the organization as everyone follows him in the pursuit of the achievement of goals and the implementation of the common mission everyone has for the welfare of the organization.... If they harbor positive feelings and attitudes towards him, then he is endowed with the power to influence them positively.... He does not direct the limelight to himself and dominates on the power of authority....
12 Pages (3000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us