Week 6 discussion
Theme One is simply how do you empower people? The student
should differentiate motivation from empowerment. It might also be useful to go
back to week one and review the idea that motivating followers is really a
better tool for the manager rather than the leader because it can be specific
in nature and answer an intrinsic or extrinsic need of the follower.
Empowerment is the tool of choice for the leader primarily because it must be
insured through the organizational structure and culture. The leader is
creating structural empowerment and building trust to keep the vision and
future clear for forward motion.
Learning Activity 1 (leader-follower relationship)
leader-follower relationship
Go to this site and complete the activities and then post
per the instructions on the eighth slide
Learning Activity 2
Answer the following questions and support your answers from
the weekly reading:
If a leaders job is to develop the future of the
organization how does motivation and empowerment fit in to this role? Be sure
to explain the difference between the two ideas and ways that both motivation
and empowerment should be used in the job the leader does.
Why is it important for the leader to empower? Why can’t the
manager do the job? OR do they both do the job?
What is meant by structural empowerment? Why is it important
to the leader?
Learning Activity 3
Research telecommuting and flat organizational structures
and how they serve to encourage or not encourage employee satisfaction.
Bring your supported observations to the class for
discussion.
