Group Leadership Chapter Five

Leaders and Leadership The ability to make strategic decisions and use communication effectively to mobilize group members toward achieving a common goal A leader is a person. Leadership is a behavior.

Becoming a Leader Designated Leaders Are selected by group members or by an outside authority. Emergent Leaders Gradually achieve leadership by interacting with group members and contributing to the achievement of the group’s goals.

Designated Leader: An Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMHqxkRYt64 In this clip from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Professor Umbridge was appointed by the Ministry of Magic to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. She even references that she is sharing “Ministry-approved” course materials. As can occur with designated leaders, the students do not respect her as a leader.

Emergent Leader: An Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cge0x3rtojo In this scene from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the kids are all peers, all students at Hogwarts. Harry becomes the leader of Dumbledore’s Army because of his experience. The group wants him to share his expertise. He emerges as the leader from his peer group.

Types of Position Power Legitimate Power Relies on a job title or duty Example: President Obama has legitimate power based on his title as President of the United States. Reward Power Controls and gives out valued resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_elVGGgW8 Throughout the Simpsons, Mr. Burns retains his power because of his money Coercive Power Controls and deals out sanctions and punishments http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV7u1VBhWCE In this clip, Tom is nervous because the Bobs have the coercive power to fire him Informational Power Controls and transmits information and resources Example: Teachers have knowledge they share with students

Types of Personal Power Expert Power Relies on expertise and credentials Dr. House is a jerk, yet he is respected and has power because he is a doctor (expert) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPZ8AXSnhQM Referent Power Relies on members’ high opinion of and experiences with the leader http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBBbrYpeqZY This is actually the opposite. Because of his negative views of the Indians and their leadership, he was not ready to take the position right away Persuasive Power Relies on effective communication skills Example: Bill Clinton lied to the country, yet is such a powerful communicator that his approval ratings actually went up after the scandal Charismatic Power Relies on leader’s character, competence & vitality Example: Tim Tebow—people love Tebow and are fiercely campaigning to see him back on the football field, regardless of his NFL stats. These people like Tebow as a person, which shows his charismatic power. He is just a likable guy.

Leadership Theories

Trait Theory Leaders are born, not made. Identifies characteristics and behaviors of effective leaders. Leadership Traits: Self-confidence Humility Trustworthiness Tolerance of frustration

Democratic leaders are usually the best. Styles Theory Democratic leaders are usually the best. Autocratic leaders may be more effective in a crisis or chaotic situation. Laissez-faire leaders may succeed in mature and highly productive groups.

Democratic Leadership: An Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqn3RoFluTQ Throughout this episode of The Big Bang theory, Leonard is a very democratic leader, evidenced here by his use of “we.” While it is his idea, he is sharing the credit with every member of the group, and every member of the group is free to contribute ideas.

Autocratic Leadership: An Example Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, is an autocratic leader. People are expected to unquestioningly accept his leadership. Those who are disloyal to him can be put to death; as the clip shows, Kim Jong Un had his own uncle executed for crossing him.

Laissez-Faire Leadership: An Example http://www.youtube.com/verify_age?next_url=/watch%3Fv%3DKRdJ49ItMnc (sign in required) In this clip, the mom has abdicated all control (evidenced by her claim “I don’t know what to do”). The daughter does whatever she wants. This clip shows where an autocrat can be useful. If the daughter is spitting out the pill, the mom could depo-shot the girl.

Leaders are made, not born. Situational Theory Fiedler’s Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness: Effective leadership occurs only when there is an ideal match between the leader’s style and the group’s work situation. Hersey-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model: Leadership style adapts to the level of member readiness. Leaders are made, not born.

When Leadership Doesn’t Work: An Example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVmC0ktznNo These clips all show Bill Lumbergh, the boss on Office Space. He is not even really a leader, but he is in a position of leadership . . . He is a very condescending “leader,” and his employees do not respond well to his bullying and condescension.

Contingency Model of Leadership What is Your Leadership Style? Are You Task Motivated? Do you want to get the job done at whatever cost? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm1VAeCo-Eg Sheldon is only focused on the goal of getting to the conference. Telling people they cannot go to the bathroom unless the break is on his schedule is not going to do much for relationships, but Sheldon is focused on the task. Are You Relationship Motivated? Do you gain satisfaction from working well with other people even if the group neglects or fails to complete the task? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jA-BCSOaa4Q The teacher is relationship-motivated; she wants to stay with the class because she has bonded with them, and they have bonded with her. Their bond with her is increasing the quality of their work as they want to produce solid work for her.

Contingency Model of Leadership What is the Leadership Situation? Are leader-member relations positive, negative, or somewhere in between? Is the task highly structured, moderately structured, or unstructured? Does the leader have a lot of power, moderate power, or little power?

Contingency Model

Implications of the Contingency Model Change the situation to your leadership style, rather than changing your leadership style. You may need to gain group trust and support. You may need to modify the amount or type of power you have and the structure of the task.

Hersey-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Model Leaders adapt their leadership style to the level of member readiness. Member Readiness: The extent to which group members are willing and able to work together to achieve a common goal.

Hersey-Blanchard’s Model As a group’s readiness increases, leaders should rely more on relationship behavior than task behavior. The Telling Stage: Low Readiness The Selling Stage: Moderate Readiness The Participating Stage: Moderate to High Readiness Delegating Stage: High Readiness

Hersey-Blanchard’s Model

5-M Model of Leadership Effectiveness Interdependent Leadership Functions: Model leadership behavior Motivate members Manage group process Make decisions Mentor members

5-M Model of Leadership Effectiveness

Rodney Napier and Matti Gershenfeld Groups: Theory and Experience Gender and Leadership “Although male and female leaders may act the same, there is a tendency for women to be perceived more negatively or to have to act differently to gain leadership.” Instead of asking whether a female leader is different than a male leader, ask whether she is an effective leader. Rodney Napier and Matti Gershenfeld Groups: Theory and Experience

Gender and Leadership: A Couple of Examples Hillary Clinton is a woman who has earned worldwide recognition as a major figure in US politics. However, when she communicates the same as the men, she is considered “bitchy,” and, unlike her male counterparts, she has to listen to remarks about her “cankles.” (A clip parodying this will be shown with chapter 7.) Until recently, when people thought of “leader,” they thought of a male http://www.businessinsider.com/new-yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayer-is-pregnant-2012-7 Marissa Mayer’s promotion to CEO of Yahoo earned far more attention than the similar promotion to males in CEO positions, showing that promoting women to such leadership positions is still “newsworthy.” Moreover, what about that “disclosed her condition” line. How many males are hired when their female partners are expecting? Yet it is noteworthy when a pregnant women is hired.

Are You Ready to Lead? Do you like having people count on you? Do you compliment others easily? Do you cheer people up even when your own spirits are down? Are your group’s accomplishments more important than your own personal glory? Would you enjoy representing your group at an outside gathering?