4. Leadership

Leadership relates to behaviour in the world of work.

Leadership can be divided into six major elements: positional power, the leader, the led, the influence process, the situation, and the leader’s effectiveness.

POSITIONAL POWER means that the higher the position, the more power it has.

THE LEADER means how leader’s characteristics and behaviour influence on others.

THE LED means that leader’s performance depends on different groups of followers (disciplinary problems, employees’ background, their intelligence, motivation, number, interpersonal harmony).

THE INFLUENCE PROCESS includes the following: (1) coercion (modifying behaviour by force), (2) manipulation (controlled distortion of reality), (3) authority (the right to influence) and (4) persuasion.

Among all types of leader behaviour two can be definitely considered: instrumental and supportive. Instrumental leadership is more efficient and common for larger groups. Here a leader sets the group’s goals. A supportive leader is usually met in small groups. He is friendly and interested in others’ needs.

What makes leadership success?

HIGH ENERGY LEVEL and STRESS TOLERANCE. Help people to cope with frequent conflicts, to make important decisions with adequate information, to maintain cooperative relationships with subordinates, peers and superiors.

EMOTIONAL MATURITY. Be less self-centered, have more self-control, have more stable emotions, and be less defensive.

INTEGRITY. Express values, be honest and trustworthy.

SELF-CONFIDENCE. Be more persistent in pursuit of difficult objectives, despite initial problems and setbacks.

There are three basic categories of skills for a good leader: technical (proficiency, knowledge of work, markets, clients and competitors), conceptual (the ability to analyze complex events and be flexible for changes) and interpersonal (the ability to maintain cooperative relationships with people and the ability to persuade).

A leader must be able to manifest four different styles of behaviour:

Directive behaviour. The leader should set standards of performance.

Supportive behaviour. The leader must demonstrate concern for subordinates’ well- being and must be supportive of them as individuals.

Participative behaviour. The leader must solicit ideas and suggestions from subordinates and invite their participation in decisions that directly affect them.

Achievement-oriented behaviour. A leader must set challenging goals, and encourage high level of goal attainment.

Effective leaders need all four of these styles because each one produces different results.

Task 1

Translate into Russian.

Leadership; to relate to; a leader; intelligence; coercion; authority; efficient; stress tolerance; to cope with frequent conflicts; a peer; a superior; defensive; trustworthy; persistent; initial problems; proficiency; to manifest; supportive behaviour; to solicit ideas and suggestions; goal attainment.

Task 2

Translate into English.

Должностное полномочие; процесс влияния; искажение реальности; убеждение; инструментальное (эффективное) руководство; поддерживающий руководитель; поддерживать сотруднические взаимоотношения с подчиненными; эмоциональная зрелость; прямота, честность; самоуверенность; в целях достижения чего-либо; регресс, неудача; конкурент; направляющее поведение; партнерское поведение; поведение, нацеленное на успех.

Task 3

Make special questions to the subject and special questions to the other members of the sentences.

1. Leadership relates to behaviour in the world of work.

2. Leader’s characteristics and behaviour influence on others.

3. Leader’s performance depends on different groups of followers.

4. Instrumental leadership is more efficient and common for larger groups.

5. A leader sets the group’s goals.

6. Effective leaders need all four of these styles because each one produces different results.

Task 4

Fill in the prepositions, the text about leadership can help you.

1. He notices nothing but what relates ___ his business.

2. She divided her work ___ two parts.

3. They could influence ___ the Board of Directors to get the project passed.

4. His decision will depend ___ how soon he meets the superior.

5. She is interested ____ making money.

6. I can't cope ___ such a pile of work this weekend.

7. He gained a huge profit in hot pursuit of the competitors.

8. There are some basic skills and characteristics ___ a good leader.

9. She establishes a cooperative relationship ___ her subordinates.

Task 5

THE POWER and INFLUENCE APPROACH

The power possessed by a leader is important not only for influencing subordinates but also peers, superiors and people outside the organization, such as clients and suppliers. It can be divided into 5 types. Match each type with its definition.

COERCIVE POWER	a) is the capacity to offer positive incentives for desirable behaviour: promotions, raises, vacations, good work assignments and so on.
LEGITIMATE POWER	b) the perceived experience, knowledge or ability of a person. Consultants are often called on for help in handling problems
REFERENT POWER	c) The source of power here is the referent’s personal qualities.
REWARD POWER	d) is punishing an employee for undesirable behaviour: dismissal, docking pay, reprimands, unpleasant work assignments are examples.
EXPERT POWER	e) the employee believes the organization’s power over him is legitimate.

Task 6

Open the brackets and use the verbs in the proper tense form, translate the text.

Stories: What Leaders have in Common

“Leaders (to achieve) their effectiveness largely through the stories they relate,” wrote Harvard professor Howard Gardner in his highly acclaimed book, Leading Minds.

Leaders, he notes, are those who “significantly (to affect) the thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviour” of large groups. And the key to leadership, he adds, as well as getting others to follow, “(to be) the effective communication of a story.”