Special topic - the leader of teh pack

Question

OUTLINE: What is important to mention for this topic?

Answer 1

What is leadership?Sources of influence and powerPerspectives on leadershipEffects of leadershipSummary
Perspectives on leadership:
TraitBehaviorSituationalTransformational

Answer 2

“Leadership is especially challenging nowadays because of the pace of change, the illusion of control and the high expectations of followers”
(Arnold et al., 2010)
What is the difference between a leader and a manager?
◦Bennis (87): “managers do the things right, leaders do the right thing”
Furnham: Managers must carry on traditional management roles (planning, staffing, coordinating); leaders challenge the status quo, communicate new vision, direction

Answer 3

◦Leaders vs leadership; leaders vs managers.
◦Who’s the boss? Depends on their power bases and political power.
◦Combination of power bases is possible, e.g., you like (referent power) your boss (legitimate, coercive and reward power) who provides you with expertise that you need to perform well (expert power).
Leadership position is stronger when multiple power bases are present.
◦No leader without followers. I.e., the followers decide who’s the leader.

Answer 4

Evidence mixed; anecdotal evidence, but in practice effects are unpredictable and difficult to replicate.

Kelloway et al. 2012 - effects of charismatic leadership on well being

transoformational leadership --> trust in leaders --> well being

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