¶ … Dennis & Goldsmith text takes a clear position on what leadership should be. The first chapter for example identifies leadership as a three-pronged paradigm that balances ambition, competence and integrity. The authors also emphasize that the 'ambition' aspect of leadership could be somewhat dangerous, in that it is easy to become seduced by the power involved in a leadership position. In fact, the most striking part of this reading is the fact that the power of leadership is simply part of many other aspects that should be in balance for leadership to be effective. Indeed, this aspect has been considered as important in the literature as well.
According to a research white paper by Bal et al., power has a very particular role to play in leadership. Significantly, the paper cites research to indicate that most leaders, amounting to 94% of the leaders surveyed, regard themselves to be at least moderately powerful in their workplace. This sense of power is not only seductive, but could also lead to faulty decision-making. Another significant figure is that only 59% of leaders believe that employees at all levels of their workplace are empowered to perform optimally.
The point the paper and the reading make is the fact that leaders should not be concerned only with feeling powerful, but with in fact understanding their particular sources of power and enhancing these. Bal et al. identify the sources of leadership power as the power of expertise, the power of information, and the power of relationships.
Breaking down power into these specific categories is vitally important in order to ensure that leaders understand the nature of power instead of simply the heady feeling connected with it. Power should be used to enhance effective leadership.
In general, this text appears to be concerned with taking a certain position regarding leadership and its aspects. The most effective leadership, according to the authors, is one that is balanced among its various elements of power.
The text by Yuki appears to be far less clear than that of Dennis & Goldsmith. Indeed, the author appears to make an attempt at presenting a variety of views regarding the various aspects of effective leadership. While this is therefore far less focused than the text by Dennis & Goldsmith, the fact is also that it provides a somewhat more balanced and more realistic view of the phenomenon.
The author for example begins by considering the various views and definitions of leadership, emphasizing that these views often emphasize a certain aspect of leadership to the exclusion of others. Some definitions of leadership for example focus on the functional aspect, while others place emphasis on the behavioral aspect. Of course the matter is furthermore not simplified by the fact that various leadership styles have developed over the years. Each of these are also discussed later on in the reading.
Many authors make suggestions on what good leadership means. Sandra Larson (2007) for example emphasizes "passion" as the primary characteristic of a good leader. Passion for the company, the work, and working with followers should be at the bottom of all leadership efforts. Such passion will be obvious to followers, and inspire them as well. The question of what makes an effective leader is answered in part by this paradigm. I believe that it is a vitally important aspect, without which all other leadership skills will simply mean nothing.
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