Numerous recent studies have revealed that the success of organizations largely depend on the motivation and achievement potential of its employees. In this regard, leaders hold a key role since motivated employees are one of the most important results of effective leadership. Therefore, a company`s success story begins with the selection of good and effective leaders who are motivated themselves and possess the ability to motivate their followers to successfully reach the collective business mission. The questions at issue are: What makes an effective leader? What characterizes the motivation to lead? Is successful leadership a product of coincidence or does some common grounds exist? Concerning this matter, motivation theory holds very few insights into the motivation to lead. For a start, empirical studies have revealed that outstanding leaders, regardless of their leadership style, have one thing in common: They all have a strong inner desire for power in the first place. Without this pursuit of power a person will not make an effective leader even when first-class training is provided and as a result, companies will experience great losses due to unmotivated employees through inadequate leadership. Therefore, getting an insight into power motives is crucial for understanding the motivation to lead. The present paper focuses on the importance of power motivation on the effectiveness of leadership which results in the description of successful leaders and thereby, offering companies a basis for understanding individuals with the appropriate reasons to take up a leading position. The topic is introduced by providing a brief overview of motivation and its underlying processes. The subsequent part reveals the interrelation between effective leadership and power motivation by giving a short introduction into leadership, followed by some insights into the motives to lead. Finally, a summary and implications for leadership motivation and leader selection in a corporate environment are presented.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Motivation
- 2.1 Definition and forms of motivation
- 2.2 Motivation process
- 3 Leadership motivation: The role of power
- 3.1 Definition of leadership
- 3.2 Motives to lead
- 3.2.1 Main human motives
- 3.2.2 Motive profile of leaders
- 3.2.3 Effective orientation of leading power
- 4 Summary and implications
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explore the crucial role of power motivation in effective leadership. It investigates the characteristics of leaders motivated by power and examines how this motivation contributes to successful leadership within organizations. The paper seeks to provide companies with a framework for identifying individuals with the necessary drive to excel in leadership roles.
- The definition and forms of motivation
- The relationship between effective leadership and power motivation
- The motives that drive individuals to lead
- The importance of understanding power motives for successful leader selection
- Implications for leadership motivation and selection in corporate environments
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the importance of employee motivation and effective leadership in organizational success. It highlights the significant role of leaders in motivating employees to achieve collective goals. The chapter posits that a strong inner desire for power is a key characteristic of effective leaders, regardless of their leadership style, and argues that understanding power motives is essential for comprehending leadership motivation. The paper's focus on the link between power motivation and leadership effectiveness is clearly stated, outlining the subsequent exploration of motivation, leadership, and the motives behind leading. The introduction sets the stage for the following chapters by presenting the core research question: What characterizes the motivation to lead, and how does power play a role?
2 Motivation: This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding the motivation to lead by defining motivation and exploring its various forms. It explains motivation as a process driving goal-oriented behavior, influenced by both internal and external factors. The chapter differentiates between intrinsic motivation (satisfaction derived from the task itself) and extrinsic motivation (driven by external rewards or avoidance of punishment), emphasizing the significance of intrinsic motivation for effective leadership and overall success. This chapter provides a foundational understanding of motivational processes crucial for understanding subsequent discussions of leadership motivation and power dynamics.
3 Leadership motivation: The role of power: This chapter delves into the core topic of the paper, exploring the connection between effective leadership and the pursuit of power. It begins by defining leadership and then focuses on the various motives that drive individuals to lead, including a discussion of main human motives and a profile of the motivational characteristics of effective leaders. A crucial element of this chapter is the analysis of how the effective orientation of leading power contributes to successful leadership and overall organizational outcomes. The chapter directly links motivation theory with leadership practice to illuminate how individual desires for power shape leadership capabilities.
Keywords
Leadership motivation, power motivation, effective leadership, leader selection, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, organizational success, employee motivation.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview on Leadership Motivation and Power
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper explores the crucial role of power motivation in effective leadership. It investigates how this motivation contributes to successful leadership within organizations and aims to provide companies with a framework for identifying individuals with the necessary drive to excel in leadership roles.
What are the key themes covered in the paper?
The key themes include the definition and forms of motivation, the relationship between effective leadership and power motivation, the motives driving individuals to lead, the importance of understanding power motives for successful leader selection, and the implications for leadership motivation and selection in corporate environments.
What are the chapter summaries?
Chapter 1 (Introduction) establishes the importance of employee motivation and effective leadership, highlighting the significant role of leaders in motivating employees and positing that a strong desire for power is a key characteristic of effective leaders. It sets the core research question: What characterizes the motivation to lead, and how does power play a role?
Chapter 2 (Motivation) defines motivation and explores its forms (intrinsic and extrinsic), emphasizing the significance of intrinsic motivation for effective leadership.
Chapter 3 (Leadership motivation: The role of power) delves into the connection between effective leadership and the pursuit of power, defining leadership and focusing on the motives that drive individuals to lead, including an analysis of how the effective orientation of leading power contributes to successful leadership.
What are the objectives of the paper?
The paper aims to explore the crucial role of power motivation in effective leadership, investigate the characteristics of leaders motivated by power, and provide companies with a framework for identifying individuals with the necessary drive to excel in leadership roles.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Leadership motivation, power motivation, effective leadership, leader selection, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, organizational success, employee motivation.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a chapter on motivation, a chapter focusing on leadership motivation and the role of power, and a summary and implications chapter. It also provides a table of contents and a list of keywords.
What types of motivation are discussed?
The paper discusses both intrinsic motivation (satisfaction from the task itself) and extrinsic motivation (driven by external rewards or punishment), emphasizing the importance of intrinsic motivation for effective leadership.
How does the paper define leadership?
While a precise definition isn't explicitly stated in the provided summary, the paper implicitly defines leadership through its exploration of the motives that drive individuals to lead and the impact of power motivation on leadership effectiveness.
What is the significance of power motivation in leadership?
The paper argues that a strong desire for power is a key characteristic of effective leaders, regardless of their leadership style, and understanding power motives is essential for comprehending leadership motivation and successful leader selection.
What are the implications for companies?
The paper aims to provide companies with a framework for identifying individuals with the necessary drive (power motivation) to excel in leadership roles, contributing to improved leader selection and organizational success.
- Quote paper
- Master of Science Ina Glüsing (Author), 2011, Leadership motivation. The pursuit of power, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/230870
