Weekly Reflection 8: Group Presentation 1 and 2

 Weekly Reflections 8 (29^th May 2024) 

First Weekly Presentation (Team 1 and Team 2)

Week 12; today session was a presentation day for 2 groups. First presentation was done by Asma Zulkeflee and Ahmad Fadzli Abu Sahmah with a topic Contingency Leadership Theories. Then, second presentation was by Tan Kai Xin and Adityanindran A/L Mahaindran with a topic Power, Politics, Networking and Negotiation.

Presentation’s slide (front page) by group 1 (Asma and Fadzli)

Topic: Contingency Leadership Theories

Asma and Fadzli had presented regarding the leadership theories and leadership model. I interested in their presentation that mentioned there is no one best leadership style that suitable solely to build an organisation, to lead the company or to make any decision. Yet, it depends on various factors. Besides, as a leader, we can plan our leadership either wanted to carry it out as boss-centered or subordinates-centered.

            This first group also presented about 3 leadership models, which are (1) normative leadership model, (2) situational leadership model and (3) path-goal leadership model.

Presentation’s slide (front page) by group 2 (Aditya and Kai Xin)

Topic: Power, Politic, Networking and Negotiation

For Aditya and Kai Xin, this long presentation and important topic had been discussed. Kai Xin presented regarding power and networking, while Aditya presented about politic and negotiation.

            In power aspects, in leadership there is noted 2 type of power, which are position power and personal power. Then these to type of powers were subdivided into:

1.     Position power: legitimate power (based on the position that given to the leader by the organisation), reward power (the ability of the leader either to punish or reward the team members) and coercive power (which identify that appropriate to maintain discipline and enforce rules).

2.     Personal power: referent power (based on leader’s personal relationship with the team members), expert power (based in the leader’s skills and knowledge), information power (the leader’s ability to gain more information) and connection power (based on the leader’s relationship with others influential or powerful leader/person).

 

In politic aspect, I interested to reflect on the positive and negative of politic. It presented that positivity in politic leadership where as a leader it can enhance further the decision making, enhance career advancement and able to have resource mobility. However, in term of negativity in politic leadership, it can encourage toxic environment, develop unethical behaviour and reduce the efficiency of the team. For networking, one aspect that grabs my attention was, networking in enhance from effective communication. This networking may help to get new opportunities, developing a business, job satisfaction, enhance performance, salary, power and promotion.

Lastly, they presented regarding the negotiation which important for job searches, labour relations, sales and everyday organisational interactions. The group shared 5 effective negotiation strategies, which include active listening, clear communication, empathy, flexibility and problem solving.

 

After the presentations done, discussion was done actively between presenters, students and Prof Yusof. 2 questions were asked by me regarding the leadership and teams; and networking aspect in leadership. From the questions and discussion, I can reflect that as a leader we need to choose the right subordinates in order to bring our aims and objectives of the organisations achieved. However, if we unable to choose the right subordinates or team members, we need to meet our leadership style with them. We need to find ways to get the team to be in the same movement with us, so that at the end the objectives of good organisation achieved. Besides, Narvina also added in this discussion a great information, as a leader we need to focus on our traits and ethic. We need to know that as a leader we are dominant towards our followers. Besides, the empathic aspect as a leader, we need also to make sure that we are the one that lead and in charge.

            While for issue regarding the networking, how much is too much or will make others think the networking is some way of bribe? Great discussion done that lead by Prof Yusof. He mentioned about fruit’s brother (saudara buah), which those who only we will see when fruit’s festival. In this case, it is important for us the build a genuine networking. It is not only we meet them when we need them, yet the networking is genuine because we want to develop it. For example, if we want to develop a networking with leader A and B, sometimes we will send regards during Hari Raya or Chinese New Year to them. Besides, we also will do it to them when there are other occasions. People can sense and observe, either our intention to the networking is genuine or vice versa. So, as a leader we need to keep it clear, positive and consistent. Besides, we need to understand, why we make the networking with them.

            Before the class ends, Krishna asked question about the challenges that a leader before an era of digital might have, compared to now with a lot of excess for networking. Prof Yusof shared that this new era of networking improved and make the relationship better compared than before. Leaders before us, need to meet with the people directly, face to face, which that was the challenges. It needs effort, patient, time consume, monetary and real relationship.