Enron: The smartest guys in the room - Assignment Example

The Smartest Guys in the Room The Smartest Guys in the Room is a cooperate documentary about the corrupt commercial practices of the Enron corporation. This documentary stars John Beard, Tim Belden and others. It is directed by Alex Gibney. The Smartest Guys in the Room infers a leader as an individual who dominates a specific position and is able to exercise control and influence over the others. Jeff Skilling, the CEO in this documentary is depicted as the leader according to Bethany, who describes him as a one who empowered them and inspired their work force as employees.

In addition, Skilling is further depicted as the leader who motivated the employees with his intelligence, made the employees believe that they are the best, and honored to be associated with the best organization in the world (OHara 44). Jeff Skilling used both Positional power and Personal power during his regime. He used his position power by demonstrating a reward scheme to the top performers and people would comply with his authority. Skilling personal intelligence and expert power influenced the employee’s performance and dedication thus portraying the legitimate power.

The dominant Skilling’s influential tool was the referent power as people further admired him and looked up to him as well (Bethany 80). His rational persuasion and inspirational appeals influenced the employees further and this blinded the employees against the faulty undertakings within Enron. Jeff Skilling was an expert in influencing others to increase his power base and maximize the profits for the entire stakeholders. A high level of intelligence was a key factor in Jeff Skilling’s recruitment into his position by Kenneth Lay.

The kills of understanding and perfectionism were the most imperative with Skilling. He, Skilling as the leader was authoritative and required the employees to follow his strategies to the point. Transitional strategies gave the employees a sense of belonging while the transactional methods ensured that the employees gave their best effort. Therefore, “The Smartest Guys in the Room” gives insight qualities such as intelligence, hard work (employees worked extra hours), honor of authority and dedication as the only sure incentives of maintaining a positive boss employee relationship (Miller Frederic 140).

Work CitedMcLean, Bethany, and Peter Elkind. The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron. New York, NY [u.a.: Portfolio, 2005. Print.Miller, Frederic P, Agnes F. Vandome, and John McBrewster. Enron: the Smartest Guys in the Room: Documentary Film, Fortune (magazine), Bethany Mclean, Alex Gibney, Enron Corporation, California Electricity Crisis, Gray Davis, Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature. Beau Bassin: Alphascript Publishing, 2010. Print.

OHara, Marguerite. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room: Study Guide. Australian Teachers of Media, n.d.. Print.