Lisa Benton Case Analysis - Assignment Example

?Lisa Benton Case Analysis Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Recommendations 4 Lack of Influential Power 5 Situation Analysis & Suggestions 5 Conclusion 6 References 7 Introduction This report is prepared with the sole intent to understand the challenges faced by the assistant product manager in Houseworld’s Home Care Division. This report highlights the various challenges faced by the manager at multiple situations. This report will also understand the importance of the leadership approaches in an organization and the display of different kinds of traits by the assistant product manager. The study will also give an insight to the various managerial situations that could have been managed properly and systematically by the manager to avoid confusion within the organizations. Finally, the study will conclude by suggesting certain recommendations that can also serve the purpose of a guide for future. Leadership Approach The leadership approach exhibited by Lisa Benton at multiple stages and situations is Bureaucratic leadership. Bureaucratic and Autocratic leadership style are almost similar to each other except for the fact that the employees and the team working in the organization are totally governed by rules and regulations. This leadership approach focuses on accomplishment of tasks and objectives within a stipulated time frame (Skinner, 1992).The leader understands the rules and regulations of the organization and is responsible for making the employees understand these rules. The leader is often reluctant to change and does not welcome change and development within the organization easily (Terry, 2003). The bureaucratic leader seldom encourages the independent thinking and active participation of the employees. In this case we can observe that Lisa Benton likes to establish her own rules and regulations, does not accept criticism easily, is unassertive and lacks the initiative to take leadership. We can also observe that in spite of being a capable and hardworking leader Lisa Benton lacks the ability of coordinating with her team member, subordinates and the top level managers. The intellectual stimulation, analytical and organizational skills will help in accomplishment of targets, objectives of the company in unification. Recommendations We can observe from the above case study that the Lisa Benton lacks certain elements of leadership approach. At the present moment she has certain managerial traits which are almost similar to transactional leadership. The difference between transactional and transformational leadership is a clear example of the distinction between manager and leader. At the present moment Lisa requires a leadership approach which can serve the purpose of a guide and also help in addressing her shortcomings. As per theorist Helgesen certain feminine characteristics make the women leader advantageous than the male leaders like excellent communication skills, good listener, ability to solve potential conflict and advanced intermediary skills (Flores, Stanford & Oates, 1995). In this case power based leadership approaches can help Lisa in addressing the problems of the organization. The leadership theory proposed by French and Raven lays emphasis on the fact that leadership is a continual process and one individual should exert power over the other individual in a positive way (Flores, Stanford & Oates, 1995). Leadership theories like trait, personal behavior and contingency theory can act as catalyst in improving the efficiency of the employee and the organization. The theories laid emphasis on the fact that leadership action is interrelated to the degree of the authority vested by the manager on his subordinates. There is an existing continuum which consists of boss centered leadership approach on one side and subordinate centered leadership on the other side. This theory will help Lisa to clearly communicate her ideas and ideologies to her subordinates and her boss. Lack of Influential Power Lisa has excellent managerial traits which could not be translated into smooth actions. Some of the major shortcomings of the assistant product manager are her inability to control her temper and unassertiveness. These are some of the factors contributing to her disturbed relationship with her colleagues and boss. Firstly, one of the biggest blunders committed by the assistant product manager was her inability to get along with her boss and colleagues which has led to chaos within the organization. Secondly, the inability to communicate the instructions and ideas to her subordinates in spite of having heightened communication skills reflects her lack of steadfastness. Situation Analysis & Suggestions Firstly, after her heated argument with her immediate manager, Mr. Scoville, they decided to reconcile their differences and work with each other in cooperation. As per the theorist Mr. Jack Welch it is immature of the managers to wait for an opportunity to reconcile differences and work upon an initiative decidedly. However, Lisa handled the situation well by not retaliating to his heated verbal argument and accepting the offer of working together in unification towards a shared goal. At multiple stages it has been observed that Lisa has been involved in various heated arguments with her subordinates and top level managers. Secondly, Lisa had been unable to accept criticism with ease from the group product manager Mr. Vernon. This incident had instilled insecurity and an annoying feeling within the assistant product manager. This signifies that the ability to accept criticism or able to convince a person about her righteous deed is very low within Lisa. The influence model popularly acclaimed as “Cohen –Bradford Influence Model” is based on the element reciprocity and lays emphasis on the fact that positive and negative things will be paid back within time (Metcalf, 2012). This theory could help the assistant product manager to address the above mentioned concerns in a smooth and systematic method. Conclusion Thus we can observe that in spite of being a capable and potential manager Lisa has been facing challenges with managerial decision making. This signifies that lack of a systematic leadership approach can lower the morale and productivity within the organization. It is important for any manager of the organization to adopt suitable leadership approaches at various levels to solve various managerial level problems (Dunkerley, 2007).The leadership style exhibited by the managers determines the organizational climate and culture (Awan & Mahmood, 2010). Thus, Lisa Bento should adopt an appropriate leadership style which will help in shaping the values, beliefs and assumptions of the employees working in the organization. References Awan, M.R., & Mahmood, K. (2010). Relationship among leadership style, organizational culture and employee commitment in university libraries. Library Management, 31(4), 253-266. Dunkerley, D. (2007). Leadership styles and leadership effectiveness. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 01-06. Flores, D., Stanford, J.H., & Oates, B.R. (1995). Women’s leadership styles: A heuristic analysis. Women in Management Review, 10(2), 09-16. Metcalf, L. (2012). The Cohen-Bradford Influence model. Retrieved from http://paxleaderlabs.org/index.php?mact=Blogs,cntnt01,showentry,0&cntnt01entryid=83&cntnt01returnid=58 Skinner, R. D. (1992). 22 leadership principles. Utah: Cedar Fort. Terry, L. D. (2003). Leadership of public bureaucracies: The administrator as conservator. New York: M.E. Sharpe. Read More