Leading

Leadership can be defined as a set bf interpersonal skills which influence  employees. More specifically it is process of directing and influencing the task related activities  of group which one is leading. It is exercise of influence in such a way so that employees complete the work which they are assigned. Leadership is required to modify behavior of subordinates. French 62 Raven have identified bases of leadership. Why do subordinates behave as directed by managers? This question can be answered by following bases of leadership : 

Reward Power        : The leader has power to reward the members who satisfactorily done his job. 

Coercive Power      : The leader has power to punish member!, of' group. 

Legitimate Power   :  Leader or manager has formal  authority in organisation. 

Expert Power          :  Manager has superior knowledge skill and experience of work. 

Referent Power      :  Manager has the ability to encourage other employees. 

A manager will  be successful to the extent he can use these bases of power. 

Functions of Leader 

The most important role of the leader is to coordinate activities  his group members. A manager functions  as leader. He usually assigned the task lo his subordinates. Another role of leader is to decide policies of group. It may involve determining objectives sometimes. In some organisations each group like production, marketing etc. is given an opportunity to participate  in decision making about objectives. A marketing manager has the responsibility to achieve the sales target with cooperation of other employees. As leader of has  group he provides advice, support and encouragement to team members. Leader represents his group in company. Thus, it is clear that a leader has various functions in his group. All function  will not be required always. The functions of leader are influenced by nature of task, relationship between leader and subordinate and situation m the organisation.