Leadership and Influence Processes
Leadership and Influence Processes
Leadership and Influence Processes
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Leadership can be defined as either a process or a
property.
As a process, is the use of noncoercive
influence to shape the group's or organization's goals,
motivate behavior toward the achievement of those
goals, and help define group or organization culture.
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ã It is not always supported by research,
ã His findings are subject to other interpretations, the LPC
measure lacks validity,
ã That his assumptions about the inflexibility of leader
behavior are unrealistic.
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ã iedler's theory was one of the first to adopt a situational
perspective on leadership.
ã It has helped many managers recognize the important
situational factors they must contend with.
ã It has fostered additional thinking about the situational
nature of leadership.
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ã The -" ' - associated most
closely with Martin Evans and Robert House - is a direct
extension of the expectancy theory of motivation.
ã Recall that the primary components of expectancy
theory included the likelihood of attaining various
outcomes and the value associated with those
outcomes. The path-goal theory of leadership suggests
that the primary functions of a leader are to make valued
or desired rewards available in the workplace and to
clarify for the subordinate the kinds of behavior that will
lead to goal accomplishment and valued rewards - that
is, the leader should clarify the paths to goal attainment.
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The most fully developed version of path-goal theory identifies four
kinds of leader behavior:
ã Directive leader behavior - letting subordinates know what is
expected of them, giving guidance and direction, and scheduling
work.
ã Supportive leader behavior - being friendly and approachable,
showing concern for subordinate welfare, and treating members as
equals.
ã Participative leader behavior - consulting subordinates, soliciting
suggestions, and allowing participation in decision making.
ã Achievement-oriented leader behavior - setting challenging goals,
expecting subordinates to perform at high levels, encouraging
subordinates and showing confidence in subordinates' abilities.
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In contrast to iedler's theory, path-goal theory assumes that leaders can
change their style or behavior to meet the demands of a particular situation.
Next, the leader may adopt supportive behavior in an effort to foster group
cohesiveness and a positive climate.
As the group becomes more familiar with the task and as new problems are
encountered, the leader may exhibit participative behavior to enhance group
members' motivation.
If people perceive that they are lacking in ability, they may prefer directive
leadership to help them understand path-goal relationships better. If they
perceive themselves to have a lot of ability, however, employees may
resent directive leadership.
Manager makes the decision alone.
The respondents also felt that the incidence of political behavior was
greater at the upper levels of their organizations and less at the
lower levels.
Well over half of the respondents felt that organizational politics was
bad, unfair, unhealthy, and irrational; but most suggested that
successful executives have to be good politicians and that one has
to be political to "get ahead."
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Research has identified four basic forms of political behavior widely practiced in
organizations:
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$ occurs when a manager offers to give something to someone else in
return for that individual's support.
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relies on emotion and logic.
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ã is the use of force to get one's way.
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By its very nature, political behavior is tricky to approach in a rational and
systematic way. As practical guidelines, several actions have been
suggested:
ã Managers should be aware that even if their actions are not politically
motivated, others may assume that they are.
ã By providing subordinates with autonomy, responsibility, challenge, and
feedback, managers reduce the likelihood of political behavior by
subordinates.
ã Managers should avoid using power if they want to avoid charges of political
motivation.
ã Managers should get disagreements out in the open so that subordinates
will have less opportunity for political behavior, using conflict for their own
purposes.
ã Managers should avoid covert activities. Behind-the-scene activities give
the impression of political intent even if none really exists.
ã Use clearly communicating the bases and processes for performance
evaluation, tying rewards directly to performance, and minimizing
competition among managers for resources.