Authority, influences, coalitions.

Authority is imposed by superiors upon inferiors either by force of arms (structural authority) or by force of argument (sapiential authority). Usually authority has components of both compulsion and persuasion.

Influence occurs when an individual's thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by other people. Social influence takes many forms and can be seen in conformity, socialization, peer pressure, obedience, leadership, persuasion, sales, and marketing.

A coalition is a pact or treaty among individuals or groups, during which they cooperate in joint action, each in their own self-interest, joining forces together for a common cause. This alliance may be temporary or a matter of convenience. A coalition thus differs from a more formal covenant (promise). Example – UN, NATO, cartels.

6. Leadership.

Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”. Significant relationships exist between leadership and such individual traits as: intelligence, adjustment, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness to experience, general self-efficacy.

Issues to discuss: too soft leaders, relationship-oriented, situational models of leadership, emotions, Toxic leadership (abuses leader-follower relationship).

Autocratic or authoritarian style (Under the autocratic leadership style, all decision-making powers are centralized in the leader, as with dictator leaders). Participative or democratic style (The democratic leadership style favors decision-making by the group as shown, such as leader gives instruction after consulting the group). Laissez-faire or free rein style (A free-rein leader does not lead, but leaves the group entirely to itself as shown; such a leader allows maximum freedom to subordinates, i.e., they are given a free hand in deciding their own policies and methods).

Date: 2015-02-03; view: 727