Final answer:
The chief executive, such as the president or prime minister, leads the executive branch, administering laws, and influencing government policies both domestically and abroad. The scope of power includes both formal mechanisms, like executive orders, and informal influence on legislative processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Executive Branch
The leader of the executive branch is often considered the chief executive of the government, such as a president, prime minister, or chancellor. This role involves administering and enforcing laws, and can vary significantly from nation to nation. In addition to maintaining policy enforcement, the chief executive also has a considerable impact on civil rights and the overall direction of the government's domestic and foreign policies.
Executives exercise both formal and informal power. Formal executive power includes actions such as issuing executive orders, while informal executive power can be things like setting agendas and influencing legislation.
In the context of the United States, the President serves as the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, exerting a wide range of powers that are subject to a system of checks and balances established by the U.S. Constitution.