Discussion Question - Assignment Example

Discussion Question Discussion Question One of the most influential and effective leaders known to have steered the organization he led to unprecedented levels was Jack Welch (born John Frances Welch), previous CEO to General Electric Company. He manifested a transformational leadership style by integrating facets of being “ruthless and fair at the same time in the business decisions that he made. Managers were allowed to do whatever they wanted as long as were able to create continuous change and do whatever they had to do a whole lot better” (Williger, 2007, par. 5). Likewise, as revealed in the GE official website, “during his 20 years of leadership in this position, Welch increased the value of the company from $13 billion to several hundred billion… In 1999, Fortune named him the "Manager of the Century," and the Financial Times recently named him one of the three most admired business leaders in the world today” (General Electric Company (GE), 2012, pars. 1 & 7). As GE’s products and services have been reported to encompass various industries and customers worldwide (appliances, aviation, consumer electronics, electrical distribution, energy, health care, lighting, to name a few) (General Electric Company (GE0, 2012), the traits, style and characteristics exuded by Jack Welch made him effective in this organization.

In one’s current role at work, the most relevant elements of that style that could be incorporated is the ability to discern which particular style would be applicable to the current situation or setting and to the particular personalities of the subordinates. As emphasized by Martires and Fule (2004), “the application of any one style depends on the situation” (p. 161). As exemplified by Welch, his leadership style could be very autocratic and at the same time be democratic depending on the needs of the organization.

His ability to discern which style to apply made him most effective and enabled the transformation of the organization to heights which have not been achieved prior to his leadership.ReferencesGeneral Electric Company (GE). (2012). Past Leaders. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://www.ge.com/company/history/bios/john_welch.htmlGeneral Electric Company (GE0. (2012). Products and Services. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://www.ge.com/products_services/index.htmlMartires, C.R. and Gule, G. S. (2004).

Management of Human Behavior in Organizations. National Bookstore.Williger, D. (2007, November 3). A Number Of Famous Leaders And Their Different Leadership Styles. Retrieved May 15, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Number-Of-Famous-Leaders-And-Their-Different-Leadership-Styles&id=815747