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Richard BransonIntroductionSir Richard Charles Branson is an investor and a leader of Virgin Group. Sir Richard Branson founded the group back in 1970 operating as a small company that dealt in keeping the records of Mail Orders (Dearlove 4). Notably, the Virgin Group has ventured in a variety of businesses in various sectors such as holidays, health and wellness, mobile telephony, music, and leisure. Branson worked his way from record-shopkeeper to become a leader of the Virgin Group, which constitutes more than four hundred companies.
Through his leadership, the Virgin Group has diversified, and holds a strong position in the market. Branson’s leadership style is impressive and instrumental in inspiring innovation in the entrepreneurial world.Leadership StyleBranson practices transformational leadership style. Branson delegates duties to his management staff and inspires innovation and meaningful change in the Virgin Group. The leader is approachable, and accords time to everyone in the group despite being the head of many ventures (Dearlove 12).
Branson influences and motivates the workforce in his group through the power of personality. The leader spurs others into action and raises the morale of the Virgin Group. Transformational leaders create an environment for others to apply the innovative skills in solving problems and developing competitive products and services (Mullin 66). The motivated workforce and the innovation ideas have facilitated the expansion of the Virgin Group to take a strong position in the marketplace. Branson works in consultation with the management team, especially during the formative stages of a new venture (Dearlove 27).
After the venture peaks, Richard Branson gives the management and the subordinate workforce the space to implement viable ideas to run the enterprise. Branson does not practice the hierarchical organizational structure. Transformational leadership style believes in the distinct set of skills that every member of workforce possesses can drive organizations to achieve success. In essence, Branson promotes teamwork. Transformational leadership style holds that leaders in the organization should realize that leadership does not imply to the positions or titles (Mullin 64).
Rather, leadership entails an interactive process between the leaders and the followers. The character is a strong foundation of the leadership, and Richard Branson has maintained charismatic attributes since the foundation of the Virgin Group. The transformational leaders should motivate and inspire their followers through assisting them to achieve the best results in different tasks within the organizations (Mullin 65). In essence, Branson’s transformational leadership has kept the Virgin Group a strong and renowned brand.
How Different I should BeI applaud the Branson’s management and leadership style. If I were a chance to lead an organization, I would do a few things in a different way from that of Richard Branson. I would not be too lenient on the issues concerning the organization. I believe that a little strictness is essential. I would be keen to details, and focus to ensure that the employees achieve certain set goals within the set time. Such approach would ensure the workforce takes its roles seriously with the intent to deliver positive results.
I contend it is not advisable to lead from a distance. Thus, I would endeavor to be at the center of every activity while acknowledging that no single person has a monopoly of ideas. Works CitedDearlove, Des. Business the Richard Branson Way. New Jersey: Wiley & Sons, 2007. Print. Mullin, John. Management and organizational behavior. London: Financial Times, 2010. Print.
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