Leadership concept 

Leadership concept

Base powers of leadership.

Power can be defined as the ability to impose one’s will on others. There are five base powers that each leader should possess for easy leadership. The powers include; legitimate power, charismatic power, referent power, reward power expert, and coercive power. Some of these powers are manifested during the meeting of city council members’ of Bloomington, Illinois meeting.

1. Referent power

Leaders acquire referent power by showing qualities that inspire respect from their colleagues and gain trust. Leaders with this kind of power have good interpersonal skills and show confidence. During the city councils meeting, the city mayor shows referent power by influencing the council members to vote in favor of his ideas (53:10). Mayor has a member of the council appointed, and through his conviction that the member is appropriate, they all vote yes.

2. Reward power

Reward power is the ability to offer rewards for achieving an objective of the organization. Rewards are primarily in raises, benefits, promotions, public praise, appraisal, or certification. During the city councils meeting, The Mayor showcases the reward power by recognizing the families from whom the soldiers who died in the war came (14:48). He praises Willie Brown by stating the values he showed. Mayor offers a certificate of appreciation to the Maddox family.

3. Legitimate power

legitimate kind of base power is the power that comes with the position one holds in the organization. It is obtained through the demonstration of the skills by the leader. Good leaders not only depend on this power but combine all the powers. During the city council members’ meeting, the Mayor is the highest-ranking position in the municipality. It gives Mayor Wembley the mandate to chair the meeting, appoint pro teams, encourage good communication with the members, and create and strengthen an effective council. This is evident throughout the session.

 

Skills used by the leaders

1. Accountability

Accountability is the ability of a leader to be answerable to the actions and decisions of the organization. Leaders communicate the aims, goals, objectives, and target results to their members in time to enable them to focus. During the city council members’ meeting, the council member, city manager Gleason, explains the FY 2023 budget clearly and in detail (21:10). It enables the city council members to be well aware of what it is and what is required of them. The council members know the target result of the budget and what to do about it.

Respect means recognizing the worth and value of the other person and honoring their views even when different from our own. During the city council of Bloomington meeting, all city members show their respect by listening to council member Martini even though they have a different view (41:10). She has an opposing view on the solid waste fund, and all the members listen and consider her opinion.

Collaboration is evident when the organization members can work together as a team to achieve desired results. The partnership helps in improving teamwork and problem-solving. Collaboration brings together the managers, executives, and staff. During the city council meeting, the members show association by partaking in the voting process (38:55). After listening carefully to manager Gleason, they approved the FY 2023 budget as it was presented. This makes it easy to know their opinions and willingness to work together.

Leadership behaviors

1. Good communication.

This is the character of a leader being able to reach people and connect with them in a way they gain trust and reliance. Leaders should offer directives and be able to express themselves clearly and concisely. In the city council meeting, council member Martini, despite having a contradicting opinion, can deliver her points considerably (41:10). She knows how to put her point in a way that makes sense to the other members.

2. Participative behavior

Participation behavior in a leader in the character allows the leader to invite the view of others in decision-making in the organization’s projects. It also includes the leader’s willingness to participate in its actions. In the city council meeting, all the leaders show this leadership behavior by being ready and voting when required (21:10). Yes, all the council members participate in the voting of the FY 2023 budget. It means each one took part in the approval of the budget.

3. Directive behavior

This behavior involves giving directives without asking for suggestions from the other members. The leader tells the others what to do and how to do it. It consists of the provision of coaching, clarifying responsibilities, and giving praise. During the council meeting, the mayor shows directive behavior when he tells them to stand for the pledge of allegiance (0:25). He also directs the clerk madam to call the toll (1:10). He tells them exactly what to do and how.

Public participation

1. Influence tactics

Rational Persuasion- in this tactic, leaders use logical arguments and evidence to show that their request is feasible. In the council meeting, Mayor uses this tactic to convince them to appoint the council member as a pro-team (53:00)

Consultation- this refers to the leader asking for the opinion of the others by first explaining their view. In the meeting, the Mayor uses this tactic to pass the FY 2023 budget (21:10).

Legitimating – in this, the leader uses their position to form influence on others.

In the city council meeting, the Mayor uses this tactic to appoint the Mayor protem as the office allows him to.

2. Feedback

Timing- this skill allows leaders to know when exactly they should ask for the feedback they need. The Mayor executes this by being sure when to tell them to vote.

Specific hit the nail on the head on the issue, the feedback that needs feedback. The Mayor is explicit on the FY 2023 budget issue and the appointing of the Mayor pro tem.

Listen- this allows the leader to observe how the embers feel about the issue. The Mayor listens to each speaker as they speak, enabling him to obtain the results he needs.

3. Specific motivation

Communication: A leader must explain to the members what his project is and its importance. This incites the members to act upon it as they all get the point. The city manager Gleason in the city meeting, explains the FY 2023 in detail and, through this, gets support (21:10).

Reward- This is the appreciation of a member for what they do by raising them, adding them benefits, or praising them in public. The Mayor in the council meeting rewards council member Bolin by appointing her as the mayor pro tem.

Overall reaction

The meeting was a success as the leaders exhibited their leadership skills and behaviors. They managed to achieve their objectives. In the councils meeting, any council member who was ready to participate was allowed to express themselves. They also took part in the pledge of allegiance and made decisions by casting their votes through the provided link.

Plan to help in developing leadership skills.

1. Assessing the current level means assessing all weaknesses and strongholds to know what to work on and anticipate pitfalls.
2. Setting an achievable goal- helps in determining the objectives and target results. Pick a destination, inform others in the inner circle of the plan, gather ideas on how to do it, and elicit feedback.

3. Engage in leadership training-this provides a lower risk environment for assessing your goals.
4. Interact with the inner circle of my leadership goals to strengthen my skills.
5. Boost essentials characteristics and skills.