Expert Power In A Leader

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1 Power

Power is the capacity to affect others by providing or withholding valued resources or administering punishments (Anderson & Berdahl 2002; French & Raven 1959; Keltner et al. 2003). Power and leadership are mutually dependent, but they are not identical. Power is different from associated concepts such as dominance, status, leadership, and authority. All of these may play a role to power, but power is basically the control over other people and over what happens to them (Anderson & Berdahl 2002). Power can exist without leadership, but leadership cannot exist without power, and a good leader is the one who uses power wisely and skillfully. There are five sources of power in every leader, namely coercive, reward, legitimate, expert, and referent.

1.1 Expert power

Expert power originates from knowledge, skills, and experience of the person. Expert power is questioned when people requisite the ability of the person. Expert power brings more decision-making opportunities. The scope of this power is limited to the extent of the expertise, though (Rykrsmith, 2010).

Lee Iacocca when became the Head of the Ford Division in 1960, he was almost anonymous in the company, however until that stage he had built expert skills in sales and critical analysis, bringing him the desired result. In 1964, his innovation skills and critical market study brought him against the idea of Ford Mustang. The success story of Ford Mustang was undeniable; with best ever sales record for Ford Company, it brought recognition and fame for Iacocca almost all over United States. Later on, the success of Ford Mercury Cougar attested the accomplishment of Mustang not as an accident but as recognition of Iacicca’s expertise and great vision of future auto...

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...ars and was influenced by his mentors. Iacocca at the same time has charisma that attracts media and public interest. He used charismatic approach and negotiation to convince senators to take Chrysler side during loan voting. He used to act in an authoritarian style; however he found the way to share power with followers and leaved the room for their personal development. Iacocca used full range of power in order to force and motivate followers as well as to make critical decision that was necessary to safe company. During the crisis of Chrysler he did all possible to save company, however as authoritarian leader he did not look at the solution in respect of team saving. Some people may argue that he was lucky enough during this time and a lot of factors where on his side, however, his “gut feeling” in respect to future demand and task orientation cannot be denied.

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