Terms such as leadership, management, and power are commonly used in business communications, and often interchangeably. Yet scholars have long debated the differences between management and leadership. Furthermore, to be an effective leader, it is important to understand and articulate these nuances as well as understand the critical role of power in leadership. Reflect on your understanding of these concepts. Consider the differences between these concepts and how each one influences the other, and then answer the following questions:
What is power and how does it relate to leadership?
What are the differences between positional power and personal power? Which type is more important?
Do you see a difference between the work of a leader and the work of a manager in terms of what you have discovered about power? What is the relevance of this distinction for leadership in the modern business environment? Can the two roles be mutually beneficial?