Unit 1: Leadership
What does it mean to be a leader? In this unit, we will explore different aspects of leadership, power, and influence, and how effective leaders help an organization accomplish its goals.
Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.
1.1: Management vs. Leadership
Watch this short video for a refreshing view on the definition of leadership and the impact leaders can make on the lives of others.
Watch this lecture for a motivational message on what makes leaders great.
Read this article. After you read, consider the following questions: Should all leaders throw away their old models of leadership? Which of the four capabilities discussed in this article would you consider to be of greatest importance? Or, should all capabilities be given equal importance? Why or why not?
1.2: Leaders and Leadership
Read this article and consider whether or not you agree with Mr. Immelt's argument that leadership may have no shelf life. Do you feel that it is necessary for GE, or any large organization, to continually change its leadership strategies? Are some strategies universal and time-tested? Do you think that any of the 10 qualities of leadership stand out more than others? Or, should they all be given equal weight? Why or why not?
1.3: Common Failures in Leadership
Read this article and consider Warren Bennis's ongoing references to William Shakespeare. Do you agree with Bennis's premise that people purposefully choose to avoid negative comments? Or, is our aversion to negativity an unconscious act? What do you think of Bennis's theory that we do what we believe we should without considering whether or not we are moving toward what we desire?
1.4: Management's Power and Influence
Read this section, which introduces you to the concepts of power and politics as they are considered within the business world. This section closely examines Steve Jobs, the former CEO of Apple Inc., and the ways in which he used a variety of power strategies to achieve business success.
Read this section, which addresses the meaning of power. Power ultimately can be considered to be one's ability to influence others, a skill that all managers need to possess, regardless of their level of management within an organization. This section also discusses the negative and positive consequences of power as it is used by managers.
Read this section, which discusses and defines different types of power. As you are learning about these different types of power, keep in mind that all managers have a dominant style of power – a style they are most comfortable with. But if a manager relies only on utilizing one type of power, he or she may find him- or herself in situations in which his or her management loses some of its effectiveness. A good manager has to develop an understanding of all types of power and then uses that understanding to shape how he or she will respond within any given situation.
Read this section, which discusses how to interpret, manage, and prioritize organizational politics. As you will see, lack of opportunity often leads to feelings of contempt and jealousy in the workplace. One example provided in this section is the absence of upward mobility within a given company. If employees believe there is an absence of these opportunities, they in turn may perceive the organization as being overly political. This section offers you strategies to help minimize the politics within your organization and promote a more harmonious environment.
Read this section, which emphasizes the benefits of working towards improving internal and external social networking. In today's management environment, no one should overlook or underestimate the power of social networking. As you read, focus on the discussion of social networking as it applies to management, as well as the section's analysis of social networking's influence on an organization's ability to remain relevant within the marketplace.
Read this section, which examines how ethics and culture impact power. Having power without the ability to exercise some level of control will inevitably lead to a variety of ethical challenges. This potential for the misuse of power increases significantly when a company makes the decision to conduct business globally. Regardless of the setting and field in which a business operates, an organization should consider how power is harnessed and applied, and how it can be used to minimize or eliminate cultural or ethical challenges.
Read sections 13.8 and 13.9, which review the tools necessary to create a thriving work environment. Earlier in this course, you were introduced to the concept of social networking and its impact on an organization's ability to remain competitive and relevant. As you read this section's real-life application of social networking, keep in mind that before you can actually apply any of these concepts in an organizational setting, you have to first understand how these concepts impact you individually. Too often individuals mismanage themselves and prematurely claim to possess the tools needed to properly manage strategic business environments. Throughout your studies in this course, you should be applying important concepts to your own business studies and analyzing how you can use this information to achieve individual success in management.