The leadership experience - Essay Example

Management Question Women view and use power differently in comparison to men. For many years, women had been sidelined on aspects of leadership. However, they currently have an opportunity in the formal institutions initially dominated by men. The opportunities have shown that unlike men, women are more relationship-oriented and prefer collaborative leadership. Their way of exercising power although different is no less effective when compared to that of men. Women additionally believe that when people feel good about themselves they become more productive (Daft & Lane, 2005).

The difference in power and leadership approach has shown that women are less likely to accomplish goals as compared to men. The collaborative and relation-oriented approach to leadership seen in women would ensure that they are liked by people in an organization. It is well known that people find it hard to say no the people they like. The approach ensures that the leader listens and shows concern for their employees. Women tend to find a common ground that would cultivate respect and fair treatment.

Consequently, employees would most probably want to help such as a leader to accomplish their goal by doing everything they are asked. Moreover, the cultivated relationship makes the employee feel important and hence feel good about them. A happy workforce equals improved productivity and ultimate achievement of organizational goals and objectives (Daft & Lane, 2005). The collaborative, relationship-oriented use of power by women suggests that their ability to rise to higher organizational levels would be easy.

Their approach to leadership puts them in a position that allows the development of allies. Allies help people accomplish goals. Women enjoy having the power to make something happen whereas men want power over something. When you wield your power over people without establishing the necessary relations then you cannot assert influence necessary to propel one to a higher office. Many leaders for instance Paul Wolfowitz of the World Bank fail because their ambitions and how they wield their power.

Women with their relationship oriented approach to leadership put them in a position where they can cultivate the necessary relationships. The relationships allow them to listen and appeal to their emotions and eventual get what they want even a top job. Furthermore, since women are more likely to achieve their goals as well as organizational goals they are hence trusted with influential positions (Daft & Lane, 2005). If a male leader changes his behavior to incorporate elements of relationship-oriented leadership techniques more common to the female leader, he will still be an authentic leader.

The elements of relationship-oriented leadership will only strengthen an authentic leader and not water it down. Through the approach, they will be able to understand the needs of the workforce and appeal to them and hence ensure that the company achieves it goal. The leader would also still be authentic since although he would want to involve everyone the final decision will still be with him and can still leave a legacy. Furthermore, through the approach the leader can easily assert his power since he knows his workforce quite well.

Question 2 It is the managers responsibility to help their employees find pleasure, engagement and meaning in their work to make them happy. A happy workforce is associated with improved productivity in a company. The manager should take it upon himself to establish the needs of his employees and design ways of meeting them through rewards. The design should incorporate ways in which the employees would please, engaged and find meaning in their work. Reference Daft, R., & Lane, P. (2005). The leadership experience (3rd ed.). Mason, Ohio: Thomson/South-Western.