The Importance of Leadership in an Organization - Term Paper Example

Select a theoretical approach to leadership in organisations. Using a variety of cultural references discuss the strengths and weaknesses of that approach in different situations. Table of Contents Introduction 3 Discussion 3 Leadership! What more does it mean? 3 What is the best way of approach to influence the cross-cultured employees? 4 Strengths and weakness of Behavioural approach in diverse cultural references 6 Analysis 8 Conclusion 8 References 10 Introduction In this age of technological innovation, intellectual thinking and creativity acts as the driving force to achieve results. This is because, thinking and imagination helps an individual to attain varied types of ideas and suggestions in order to accomplish the final objectives. However, all these ideas and facts might be obtained only if an experienced and talented leader is present within the team. This is mainly due to the fact, that leadership is a type of procedure that influences or encourages the members of a group or a team towards a specific goal or task. By doing so, the inner motivation or morale of the individual get enhanced that helps in improving their level of performance and efficiency. But in order to do so, it’s extremely essential for the leader, to present or adopt a specific leadership style or approach with its employees or followers. So that such an approach is highly preferred by the followers or employees thereby leading to success. Hence, it might be stated that leadership is an experience or active participation of the employees in order to enhance their level of knowledge and talent regarding any topic or issue (Swart & et. al. 2012, pp. 563-578). Due to these above mentioned reasons, it is described as a style to motivate or influence others towards a common goal. This essay deals with the importance of leadership in an organization as well as the strengths and weaknesses of behavioural approach of leadership in different situations. Discussion Leadership! What more does it mean? According to Northouse (2010), leadership may be stated as a real life experience that inspires the individual to cope up with various risks or threats of the situations. It also acts as a power to influence the individual or employees of an organization to present their ideas and views by participating in the decision-making process of the management. By doing so, the management or higher authority might understand and evaluate the inner desires and ideas of the employees and may act accordingly (Northouse, 2010). Moreover, due to active participation, the level of interpersonal relationship among the employees and the higher members of the organization might get enhanced that may improve its productivity in the market as compared to other contenders. Thus, it might be stated that the best way to accomplish the sustainable position and competitive advantage in the market is by focusing on individual or human resources of the organization. However, this might be possible only if an experienced and skilled leader is recruited within the organization. What is the best way of approach to influence the cross-cultured employees? In this age of multiculturalism, the best way to tackle and control the employees of an organization is behavioural approach. According to this approach, the employees or followers of a group behave according to the behaviour or attitude of the leader such as task-oriented, directive, and participative and people oriented (Snell & Bohlander, 2010, pp. 378-389). In task oriented leadership style, the leaders mainly focus their concentration or behaviours in accomplishing the desired objectives of the organization. This is done, in order to accomplish higher productivity and profitability of the organization. However, in order to do so, the leader analyses and evaluates the attitudes and skills of the employees so that he or she might assign the employee, the right task. Only then, he or she might get motivated towards the task and offer his full devotion to accomplish it. For example: at the time of strategic alliance of Qantas and Emirates, the CEO Alan Joyce and Tim Clark acted as a leader and delegated the tasks in such a way that the alliance presented positive results by enhancing its net profit margin by $6.7 billion among other rival players. This is extremely noteworthy for the organization, but it became possible only by delegating right tasks to right employees. Therefore, it might be clearly stated that only to do so, it’s extremely essential for the leaders to analyse and understand the behavioural traits or skills of the employees. Directive leadership is also a type of behavioural approach in which, the leader or the manager tries to make decisions on behalf of the employees (Northouse, 2010, pp. 878-898). However, such type of decisions is taken by the leader only by analysing the inner desires and wills of the employees such as implementation of advanced technologies and techniques. However, as the leaders makes such type of implementation, keeping in mind, the desires of the followers, so all of them follows it effectively. For example: implementation of total quality management (TQM) within the organization of Toyota Motors Corporation is as per the decisions of all the employees and so it is accepted and followed by all. Due to which, it enhanced its growth and market share to a significant extent in the market among others. Participative leadership is also a specific style of behavioural approach, in which the leaders encourages all the employees to participate in the decision-making process. By doing so, the inter-personal relationship among the leader and employees might get enhanced thereby amplifying the net efficiency of the organization (Mullins, 2013, pp. 768-787). For example: such type of approach is followed by the CEO of Apple Inc, Mr. Steve Jobs. As a result of which, the interpersonal bonding among the employees and MR. Jobs became extremely effective that helped in introducing numerous new products such as I-phone, I-pad etc. People oriented is type of behavioural approach of the leaders, in which, the leaders mainly analyses the needs and desires of the employees. By doing so, the leader tries to satisfy their primary needs that may motivate them towards their assigned tasks. Such as offering incentives and rewards to the employees in case of extra work, that motivates the individual towards his assigned duties. By doing so, the organization amplifies is productivity and profitability. Therefore, it might be clearly stated from the above mentioned different approaches of behavioural leadership style that the action or attitude is entirely dependent over the desired tasks or situation. Strengths and weakness of Behavioural approach in diverse cultural references In this age, diversity is the most accepted concept of an organization. However, it need to maintained and controlled in such a way that, diversity might prove effective for the organization. However, in order to do so, it’s extremely essential to analyse and evaluate the inner strengths and desires of the employees in an effective way. This might be possible only if the behavioural approach of the leader comprises of the following strengths such as: Good relationship building- it is recognised as one of the prime strength of behavioural approach. This is because; due to the presence of these attitudes, a leader might very easily motivate and inspire the followers towards his end that may fulfil the desired tasks (Long, 2012, pp. 657-676). For example: in Apple Inc, Mr. Steve Jobs developed a very good relationship with the employees of diverse culture and creed, so all of them accepted his decision to develop retail outlets. These types of retail outlets might include the representatives of the organization of Apple Inc, in order to satisfy the demands of the customers. Therefore, as all of the employees accepted the decision of Mr. Steve Jobs, so the strategy became successful for the organization of Apple Inc. Strategic Thinker- this is regarded to be another prime strength of behavioural approach. The leaders following this approach are tactical or planned thinker or decision maker that may be used in order to resolve the challenges of any situation in an effective way (Davidson & et. al. 2011, pp. 456-467). For example: such a scenario is observed at the time of merger of IBM’s personal computer units by Lenovo. Due to which, in spite of two distinct cultures and policies the brand of IBM-Lenovo enhanced its image and profitability by almost 50 percent as compared to previous years. Confidence- it is also extremely essential a task of an organization. For example: in case of the strategic alliance of two different organizations, Maruti Udyog Ltd and Suzuki, it is the confidence of the management of these organizations that made it successful (Francesco, 2005, pp. 423-434). Along with this, in spite of good relationship with all the employees, it is accepted by all in an effective way. Clarity of the purpose- this is also considered as one of the greatest strengths of this approach. This is because; if the leader is not well-versed with the purpose of the task, then he or she may not become successful in motivating the employees towards the final objective. For example: at the time of the strategic alliance of Qantas and Emirates, the management or the CEO of the organizations are well-versed with the advantages or positive effects of it (French & et. al. 2011, pp. 324-335). Due to which, in spite of numerous problems, they decided to merge together so as to enhance their brand image and reputation in the market among other rival players. Moreover, such type of thinking proved successful in all aspects. Apart from strengths, this approach also includes certain weakness as well. These are mentioned below: Lack of creativity- in case the leader lacks creativity or talent, then he or she may not be able to analyse the perspective of the employees or the situations (Jones, 2013, pp. 223- 234). For example: in case of acquisition of Jaguar and Land Rover by Tata Motors, due to lack of creativity and talent, the organization had to face a serious set-back. This means the operating profit margin of the organization of Tata Motors reduced by almost 9.1 percent as compared to previous years. This proved extremely problematic for the organization as it declined its image and reputation as compared to others. Lack of Communication – it is also extremely essential for a leader comprising of behavioural approach. This is because; by communicating with the employees, the leader might analyse their ideas and decisions. But if the leader fails to communicate with the followers then, he may not become successful in his objectives (Brooks & et. al. 2009, pp. 123-134). For example: at the time of strategic alliance of Qantas and Emirates, the CEO of Qantas, Mr. Alan Joyce failed to communicate with his employees. As a result of which, the organization had to face the problem of strike and lock outs. Due to which, it might be clearly stated that, communication plays an effective role for motivating or understanding the inner desires of the employees. Therefore, it might be clearly stated that behavioural approach is described as one of the most prominent way to motivate or encourage the employees towards any objective. Analysis After analysing and evaluating all the above mentioned points, it might be revealed that in order to achieve the final objectives, effective relationship development and communication are the two most essential aspects. If a leader becomes successful in fulfilling both two criteria’s then, the organization might surely accomplish its target objectives in an effective way. That might be revealed from the various examples presented in the above paragraphs. Thus, behavioural leadership approach is recognised as the best one for the organizations operating in this age of competitiveness. Conclusion Conclusively, it might be stated that leadership is the best way to know the inner feelings and motives of the employees or human resources of an organization. This is because; human resource is the most essential asset of an organization in this age of aggressiveness. However, they might be controlled and managed effectively only if the leadership style of the leader is accurate. Only then, the employees might get motivated towards his decisions and information that may amplify their performance and dedication. Along with this, due to improvement of the dedication of the employees, the rate of retention might also get enhanced. This is extremely essential to retain the experienced and talented staffs within the organization for a longer period of time in order to enhance its sustainability in future age. Along with this, such type of leadership style might also prove effective for the organization by introducing varied types of new products and services so as to satisfy the requirements of the customers. This might amplify the competitive advantage and position of the organization in the market among others. 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