leadership and power

Organizational Behavior: Leadership & Power

Instructor: Lena Floegel
Course Code: Bachelor Fall Term 2025
Date: September 25, 2025

Introduction to Organizational Behavior (OB)

  • Definition of OB: Study of how individuals and groups behave within organizations.

  • Importance of Understanding OB: Recognizes the significance of human behavior at work for improving organizational effectiveness and employee satisfaction.

Key Areas of Organizational Behavior

  1. Personality & Values

    • Impact of individual differences on workplace behavior.

  2. Emotions & Moods

    • Influence of feelings on decision-making, motivation, and behavior.

  3. Motivation

    • Techniques to inspire and motivate individuals to achieve their full potential.

  4. Self-Leadership

    • Strategies for reducing procrastination, enhancing effectiveness, and improving well-being.

  5. Communication & Conflict

    • Importance of effective idea exchange and conflict resolution in organizations.

  6. Group Behavior & Teams

    • Examination of team dynamics and performance metrics, focusing on what makes teams successful.

  7. Change Management

    • Analysis of failure reasons in change initiatives; practical approaches for effective change leadership.

  8. Leadership & Power

    • Exploration of how leaders influence behavioral dynamics, build trust, and manage organizational politics.

Leadership & Power

  1. Connection Between Leadership and Power

    • Examination of how leadership and power are interrelated and their effective or harmful implementations within organizations.

  2. Foundations of Leadership

    • Definitions:

      • Leadership: Inspiring and guiding others towards a common goal.

      • Power: Capacity to influence others' behavior in alignment with one's wishes.

      • Management: Organizing and coordinating tasks efficiently.

    • Key Differences: Leadership focuses on vision and direction, whereas management ensures efficiency and order.

  3. Evolution of Leadership Theories

    • Trait Theories (1940s-1960s): Leaders possess inherent traits.

    • Behavioral Theories (1960s-1980s): Emphasis on what leaders do.

    • Contingency Theories (1980s-2000s): Effective leadership adapts to situations.

    • Modern Era (2000-Present): Emphasis on ethics, authenticity, and trust.

  4. Types of Power in Organizations

    • Formal Power:

      • Legitimate: Authority based on position.

      • Coercive: Capacity to punish others.

      • Reward: Control over benefits/resources.

    • Personal Power:

      • Expert: Knowledge/skills valued by others.

      • Referent: Charisma and personal appeal.

Trust and Ethical Considerations in Leadership

  1. Trust

    • Essential foundation for effective leadership.

    • Components of Trust:

      • Integrity: Fulfilling promises (e.g., a leader who delivers promised resources).

      • Benevolence: Care for team members (e.g., ensuring all voices are heard).

      • Ability: Competence to perform effectively (e.g., a skilled colleague ensuring accuracy).

  2. Dark Side of Power

    • Potential for leaders to misuse power.

    • Consequences include:

      • Promoting self-interest over group welfare.

      • Objectifying team members as tools.

      • Overconfidence leading to poor decisions.

Application of Leadership and Power

  1. Influence Tactics

    • Rational Persuasion: Logic-based arguments.

    • Inspirational Appeals: Connect emotionally with shared values.

    • Consultation: Involving others in the process.

    • Exchange: Offering something in return for cooperation.

  2. Evolving Power Dynamics

    • From hierarchical structures to collaborative networks emphasizing shared information and expertise sharing.

  3. Building Trust in Practice:

    • Transparency, encouraging dialogue, and owning mistakes are key strategies for building trust.

Strategies for Effective Leadership

  1. Share a Clear Vision.

  2. Clarify Roles and Responsibilities.

  3. Foster Productive Conflict.

  4. Build Psychological Safety.

  5. Motivate and Recognize Contributions.

Ethical Use of Power

  1. Principles of Responsible Leadership:

    • Empower others, make ethical decisions, be accountable, and distribute power appropriately.

  2. Modern Power Dynamics: Discuss the shift towards expertise and collaboration over traditional authoritative structures.

Key Takeaways

  • Leadership is about inspiring others, while power is about influencing behavior and making decisions.

  • Both ethical practices and personal influence are key to effective leadership.

  • Ethical power enhances trust and motivation, leading to greater engagement in teams and organizations.

Recommended Readings

  • Bass, B. M. (1990). From transactional to transformational leadership: Learning to share the vision.

  • Drucker, P. (1967). The effective executive. Harper & Row.

  • Yukl, G., & Falbe, C. M. (1990). Influence tactics in upward, downward, and lateral influence attempts. Journal of Applied Psychology, 75(2), 132–140.

Exam Overview

  • Quick Canvas Exam: Administered after specific sessions on leadership and power.

  • Main Assessment: Written exam covering all foundational concepts of OB, scheduled for October 6, 2025.