Power and Politics in Leadership Group Paper - Essay Example

Power and Politics in Leadership Lecturer Power and Politics in Leadership Introduction From time immemorial, there have been various kindsof leaders that emerged from this world. From entrepreneurial leaders, maniacal dictators and conquerors to advocates of world peace and the greater good, all effective and memorable leaders have some particular similarity among them, a certain charisma that influences people to follow a certain vision, a certain way of life. A way of achieving what they want through people.

A vision without charisma is a dead vision, and charisma without a vision is a wasted attribute. Charisma and visions complement each other in a way so powerful, when the two are combined, they can bring about great change in the world, both revolutions and disasters. Some examples of entrepreneurial and powerful leaders include: Bill Gates, Tony Horton, Ann Eliza, and Hitler among others. The reason as to why these leaders have been noted in history is very simple. Even though each leader has their own style of leading, all these leaders have been blessed with both charisma and a vision (Lesinski, 2006).

This paper will focus on Bill Gates and Ann Eliza, Jennings of Swain Island (American Samoa)Bill Gates is the chairman, co-founder and chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation which is the leading software provider for personal computers in the world. Bill Gates has accomplished and earned various titles as a well known manager. He was given a “Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire” title by Queen Elizabeth. Bill Gates was also contracted by the IBM for the development and establishment of their first personal computer.

He is referred to as an American Business Magnate and emerged the richest person according to the survey completed in 2008. Bill Gates has used various leadership styles in his management of the Microsoft Company. For instance the autocratic style; he has a nature of control in his practice of management. He is obsessed with checking up and detail. Bill Gates is trying to have the whole world monopolized in form of World Wide Web software market. He has had some few legal problems with the justice department.

He through Microsoft restricted other internet partners’ ability to deal with its rivals (Lesinski, 2006). Bill Gates does not like complaints. Another leadership style he uses is the delegate style; Bill Gates had skills of choosing suitable employees for recruitment and retention of the best talent ever in the industry of software. He strongly believed that recruiting talented software engineers is one of the major critical elements in the industry of software. He looked for the capacity to conceptualize and grasp new knowledge fast, deep familiarity with the structures of programming and the ability to ask questions that probe.

He delegated authority to his hunted managers to run their respective departments (Gates, 1996).Apart from their gender, female leaders do not have a lot in common. Some of them have strewn discontent, while others have brought peace to the world. Some have been brilliant and competent in business, while others are corrupt and inept. They come from political positions ranging from ultra-leftist to arch-conservative and represent all the religions in the world. For example, Ann Eliza, Jennings of Swain Island, American Samoa.

She was a joint managing owner together with her brother Alexander Hutchinson, Eliza was married to a trustee and executor, The Britton Irving. Some of the management philosophies that Ann Eliza used include influence tactics such as rational persuasion. He applied this philosophy by always explaining why the company objectives had to be met, he was very objective on the benefits that his followers were to receive out of good work, he remained motivational concerning the given subtle evidences and set objectives that can be met (Lesinski, 2006).

Ann Eliza was very quick to explain how concerns ad problems can be handled and always had new technologies innovated and made their strengths very clear over the others. Another influence tactics he used was pressure; he frequently applied this tactic from fear of probation, dismissal, reprimands or suspension. Apart from these tactics, Ann Eliza had personal powers such as expert power which is based on the skill of the user which makes people dependent on him as the owner of the knowledge.

He also had a referent power; this was based on his personal relationship with his employees. This is based on loyalty and friendship to the staff. In fact his autocratic behavior even made him more loyal due to his to his employees. Other powers he possesses include the position power, legitimate use of the rational persuasion, the reward power, and the coercive power (Fridson, 2001).In summary, Bill Gates and Ann Eliza shared some character traits that made them whom there were; intelligent, visionary, passion, innovation, risk taker, continuous learner, and accepting criticisms among other entrepreneurial characteristics (Fridson, 2001).

In most of his functions and activities, both the leaders had secrets of success and management philosophies they used. They had distinct management and leadership skills they used to influence their followers.ReferencesFridson, Martin (2001). How to Be a Billionaire: Proven Strategies from the Titans of Wealth.London: John Wiley & Sons.Gates, Bill (1996). The Road Ahead. New York: Penguin Books. Lesinski, Jeanne M. (2006). Bill Gates (Biography (a & E)). Boston: A&E Television Networks.