A leader has many
power base inside his organization, for example his personal power brought
about by his charisma and many likable characteristics. Another power base is
his legitimate power entrusted to him by his organization. This includes his
power to impose disciplinary actions and power to give rewards.
In his exercise of
his power there’s always the temptation to get drunk with that power. It means
that he might abuse it and use it for his own personal advantage. Here lies the
danger once the leader takes advantage of his temporal organizational power.
Why is it dangerous? Because it will eventually create problem/s not only for the
abusive leader but for his organization as well.
Take for example, a
leader who has been autocratically running his organization. Initially there
will be no complaints. In fact almost everyone would seem to follow his
commands. But sooner or later his subordinates will eventually have this
realization that their leader has been abusing them. Therefore they would complain, if nothing happens with their complaint they will be forced to
act against the leader. And who will suffer? It’s the leader and the
organization that he’s leading.
The proper use of
power is to always exercise it within the bounds of the law, never outside of
the law or outside of the norms of an organization. We must not abuse it, we
must always use it coupled with humility and responsibility.
No comments:
Post a Comment