Leaders can rely on different strategies in order to influence people who work with them. Their authority can be derived from different sources such as expertise, the ability to reward or punish, personal characteristics, and so forth (Jones & George, 2006). This paper is aimed at discussing such a person as Khalaf Al Habtoor who is renowned for his achievements in various business fields.
Apart from that, he is famous for philanthropic activities and attempts to promote peace in the Middle East. Overall, it is possible to argue that he relies primarily on referent, expert, and reward powers in order to shape the behavior of other people. To a great extent, the combination of these methods is more likely to bring successful results because followers can feel more committed to the goals set by the leader. This example should be considered by people who want to act as decision-makers in various businesses. These are the main details should be discussed more closely.
At first, one should speak about referent power which is usually based on the respect that colleagues and co-workers have for a leader. As a rule, referent power takes its origins in the personal qualities of this individual (Jones & George, 2006). In many cases, he/she is perceived as a role model. This argument is particularly relevant if one speaks about Khalaf Al Habtoor. One should keep in mind that this person can be described as a self-made man who achieved prominence without relying on the assistance of influential and affluent relatives or friends.
This attribute is usually valued by other people who believe that the ideas of a leader are worth considering. Apart from that, one should keep in mind that he is actively engaged in philanthropy. This behavior usually increases the moral weight of the arguments made by a leader. Apart from that, Khalaf Al Habtoor is known for his openness and integrity.
This character trait is also valued by workers because they clearly understand the expectations of a leader. Thus, Khalaf Al Habtoor’s authority is primarily derived for his character traits. Other people, who play a prominent role in different business fields, also rely on their referent power in order to influence the behavior of their followers. This is one of the points that should be considered by people who intend to act as leaders in various organizations.
Additionally, it is important to mention that Khalaf Al Habtoor relies on the expert power. This notion means that a person has in-depth expertise in a certain field. Therefore, other people believe that he/she has the sufficient experience and knowledge to make informed decisions. The expert power can be derived from educational or professional experience; to a great extent, this term can be compared to competence (Silos, 2003, p. 57).
It should be noted that Khalaf Al Habtoor is known for his work in the construction industry. He has completed many successful and complex construction projects in the United Arab Emirates. Some of them became the landmarks of this country; for example, one can mention the Capital Gate Tower. Therefore, his views on this particular industry should be taken into account.
This expertise is critical for Khalaf Al Habtoor especially when he interacts with other senior executives and business partners. He argues that experience can be more valuable that the revenues which can be derived from a certain business undertaking (Al Habtoor, 2014). Therefore, future leaders should acquire considerable expertise in certain areas in order to influence other individuals; otherwise their authority may be questioned. This is one of the key points that should be stressed.
Furthermore, one should mention that Khalaf Al Habtoor relies on his reward power. This term can be defined as the ability to withhold or offer certain benefits to workers (Silos, 2003). It should be noted that he is able to recognize the contributions made by other employees. Khalaf Al Habtoor understands the necessity to reward workers and managers who can improve the performance of his company.
The rewards do not necessarily have to monetary; very often, verbal praise can also be very motivating. This behavior can be vital for a person who runs a start-up company. This issue was particularly relevant for Khalaf Al Habtoor when he only entered the construction industry. This is why the use of reward power should not be overlooked by business administrators and entrepreneurs.
On the whole, this discussion shows that Khalaf Al Habtoor is a leader whose power is primarily dependent on his professional and personal qualities. Much attention should be paid to experience which enables him to choose the most optimal business strategies. Furthermore, this leader is admired for the achievements that he made virtually on his own.
Thus, these attributes play a critical role for gaining and retaining the loyalty of followers. Khalaf Al Habtoor does not rely on coercion in order to achieve one’s objectives. This is one of the reasons why his decisions are usually valued by colleagues, business partners and subordinates. These are the main details that can be distinguished.
Reference List
Al Habtoor, K. (2013). Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor: The Autobiography. New York, NY: Motivate Publishing.
Jones, G., & George, J. (2006). Contemporary Management. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Silos, L. (2003). The Power of the Leader: Mind and Meaning in Leadership. New York, NY: Goodwill Trading Co.