Leading Change

“Powers to Lead”

Table of Contents

PROPOSAL 3
NARRATIVE OUTLINE 7
REFLECTION 9
REFERENCES 11

“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him; worst when they despise him.” Lao-tsu
‘Joseph Nye and 21st century leadership’

PROPOSAL –
(FEATURE ARTICLE)
The era of globalization, revolutionizing of the knowledge industry, flatter hierarchies and fluid networks of contracts and contacts are causing a long-term secular shift in the context of political and organizational leadership in the post-industrial societies. Knowledge workers respond to different incentives and political appeals than do industrial workers. This shift is along the continuum from command to co-optive style of leadership and calls for a high level of contextual intelligence.

The work of Joseph Nye cite – ‘Empowered followers empower leaders.’ Leaders today are now taking the route to an integrative and participatory approach placing greater emphasis on soft power and giving less deference to authority or hard power.

Leadership experts report the increased success of what was once considered a feminine style of leadership in terms of gender stereotypes, which is now widely accepted by male and female leaders alike. It is especially relevant for leaders in the current volatile environment to persuade followers to rise above their interest for the sake of the higher purposes of the organization. The important role of a leader here is to notice the pattern of events and have the right skills to take advantage of the windows of opportunity.

Leadership and power are inextricably intertwined and involves mobilizing people for a purpose. Leadership as a process follows three key components:
• leaders
• followers, and
• Contexts (external environment and the changing objectives that a group seeks in a particular situation)

The inspirational soft power skills revolves around Policy Vision which helps leaders create shared... [continues]

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