Leaders

Leaders

Winning acceptance of one’s views produces an incredibly rewarding feeling of accomplishment. Competence in the political arena involves keen awareness of power, skill at using the sources and bases of power effectively, using technical skills with proficiency, using information properly, forming effective alliances within the organization, and exercising authority over others with sensitivity to their feelings. What matters most in the effective use of power at the top is accessibility, networking, listening, and people skills. Previously, at OwensCorning, the 28th floor became stigmatized as "management." Today leadership operates in the middle of the second floor, accessible to everyone.
Leaders who use power effectively care about people and avoid dominating them. They depend on deftness, rather than flexing their muscle. They choose respect over friendship, and want truth rather than deception. The positive or socialized face of power emphasizes a concern for group goals, finds the goals which move people, helps the group formulate them, takes the initiative in providing members of the group the means to achieve them, and gives group members a sense of support, strength, and competence needed to work hard toward achieving them. Leaders who can persuade become capable of influencing their audiences both emotionally and rationally. They analyze their audience in terms of relevant needs, desires, and values after which they focus on a connection with their audience on common ground before moving into areas of resistance. Areas of resistance must be handled carefully, respectfully, and in a non-dogmatic way. Leaders of the importance not only of what they say, but how they say it. People who speak with a variety of pitch, volume, and timing changes, with well organized messages, clear and well developed points, with both logical and emotional appeals, using the Standard Dialect, receive higher ratings of credibility and are perceived as more powerful,...

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