How Good Leaders Use Their Power - Essay Sample

The concept of power as the ability to have things your way. It refers to a leaders influential potential the ability to influence the actions and behaviors of other individuals or groups (Pfeffer 2). Leaders who use power effectively stand higher chances of achieving tasks in their organizations without necessarily depending on their position or title (Fuqua, Payne, & Cangemi 1). In an organizational context, leaders use power effectively by relying more on personal power, as opposed to job title or credentials, to mobilize their resources, inspire creativity among their team members, and cultivate confidence and trust among their followers.

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Leaders use power to influence their other individuals and groups to do what they want to be done. Pfeffer (2) says a powerful leader is judged on the basis of how effectively he or she persuades his or her team members to accept and pursue a course of actions that work towards the attainment of organizational goals. Winning the respect and acceptance of an individuals ideas results in a sense of incredible accomplishment. Competence in effective use if power among excellent leaders entails understanding power and power dynamics, having the skills on how to use the sources and bases of power in an effective manner, employing technical competencies proficiently, utilizing information appropriately, establishing and sustaining effective relationships within the organization, and being sensitive to other individuals feeling when exercising authority them (Fuqua, Payne, & Cangemi 4). What matters most in how a good leader uses power effectively involves being accessible, creating relationships, and listening.

Also, leaders use power to empower other individuals and group members. Pfeffer (3) states that as a leader who empowers others, you will act as a colleague rather than a boss, and employ influence (instead of force or coercion), respect and mutual relationships to accomplish tasks with others. Leaders who use power to empower and influence others seek to share out their power with their team members, to give it away, then hold, those whom they share it accountable. Furthermore, leaders use power effectively by recognizing and rewarding others for their input, ideas, and achievements. They foster participation from every individual, seek contribution and involve others in decision-making processes. Moreover, excellent leaders use power effectively by caring about their team members and avoiding dominating them. Fuqua, Payne, & Cangemi (4) content that a good leader relies on deftness, as opposed to flexing his or her muscles. They opt for mutual respect than friendship and often seek for truth.

The world around good leaders who use power effectively support the use of power in several ways. For instance, leaders who use power effectively cultivate a higher degree of engagement and commitment to organizational tasks. This is because subordinates are more likely to be inspired and motivated and respond positively to leaders who do not overuse their authority. Also, team members can support the good use of power by exhibiting a positive attitude of trust with the leader. Practices such as sharing power, empowering subordinates, encouraging participation, and respecting others views, among others, motivate followers to create trustful relationships with their leaders (Fuqua, Payne, & Cangemi 4). As a result, promoting achievement of organizational tasks. Additionally, good use of power allows leaders to cultivate acceptance in the world around them. Acceptance is a form of support in the sense that it the leaders become role model upon which the followers emulate their behavior.

Works Cited

Fuqua, Jr. E. Harold, Payne, E. Kay, and Cangemi P., Joseph. Leadership and The Effective Use of Power. Western Kentucky University. n.d. Print.

Pfeffer, Jeffrey. Learn How to Use Power Effectively. Harvard Business Review. November 3, 2013. Web. Retrieved from http://www.leadershipreview.net/learn-how-use-power-effectively