Management and Leadership - Assignment Example

Management and Leadership Name Institution Introduction Leadership skills and leadership development are becoming and imperative strategy in the management of business organization in both the private and public sector. The effectiveness of a leader is dependent on the leadership skills that the individual is capable (Hopkins, 2008). This means that in order to be an effective leader, one should be able to have skills and competencies that distinguish him or her from other leaders. Effective leadership is characterized by certain attributes and skills that are possessed by an individual among the effective leadership skill include the ability to deal with the crisis in the organization, communication skills and proper management skill (Hur et al., 2011). Different leaders and managers in the world have been recognized for their quality management and leadership skills. In addition, these leaders can be trained and developed in different leadership skills in order to increase their effectiveness in leadership. One of the most recognized leaders in the world is Timothy Donald Cook best known as Tim Cook. As the chief executive officer at Apple Tim Cook, displayed his leadership skill and management skills that can be emulated by other individuals in order to effectively manage their business organizations (Finkelstein, 2013). This paper focuses on the leadership skills and attributes of Tim Cook and considers the factors that contribute to his leadership skills. In addition, the paper examines the ways in which aspiring leaders can be trained in order to make them effective leaders. Background Information Tim Cook is best known as the chief executive officer at the Apple Company where he has increased the performance of the company since he took over from the former leader Steve Jobs (Lashinsky, 2012). As the chief executive officer of apple, the company has not only become a leading player in technology, but also a crucial Hollywood music player. Before his full appointment at the apple, Tim Cook had served the company in particular occasions when the former chief executive officer Steve jobs was on sick leaves. In addition, Tim Cook has served as chief of operation in computer companies where he has contributed to the increased performance of the companies. Hence, Tim Cook serves as an example of leaderships that can be emulated by different individuals in managing their business organizations (Finkelstein, 2013). Factors and Attributes of Tim Cook Leadership Transparency: transparency is vital in leadership for employees of the organization feel respected in the decisions of the company. According to Tim Cook, transparency was a crucial aspect in the management of Apple Company. This is because with open criticism of the company manufacturing partners, Tim Cook opened the doors for all people of the world understand the operation of the company. This is vital since it created the aspect of good will in the company and set standards for all the manufacturers that were directly linked to the company (Finkelstein, 2013). Tim believed that transparency in supplier responsibility set an example for recognizing the difference with other competitors. This means that the public gains trust and is able to engage in more productive activities in the company. In addition, the transparency shown by Tim Cook at Apple and other companies ensures that the partners that do business with apple are able to trust the leadership of Tim Cook. Hence, transparency in the company ensured that the leadership of Tim cook was effective and efficient (Lashinsky, 2012). Paradigm and Focus: The ways in which effective leaders see their world of paradigm influences their management and their effectiveness as leaders. Tim cook is seen as a leader who is willing to take responsibility for his actions and that makes him a leader of change. They are accountable for whatever happens in the company and are willing to do whatever it takes to make the company succeed. Since he took over apple, the company has undergone different changes, which make him an agent of positive change in the company. Tim cook is a leader who has contributed to the different pattern of management in the company (Markowitz, 2012). Diversity: Tim cook is a diversified leader who is willing to try different management approach and encourage diversity in his fellow employees. As a leader, Tim cook understood the importance of different experience of all the human resource in the company. Since the company is a technological company, there is the need to encourage innovation and creative thoughts which are diverse (Hopkins, 2008). Therefore, Tim cook made diversity the cornerstone of his management philosophy at apple. According to tom, diversity thoughts among the company employees make the employees be themselves, and they do not have to be somebody else. This makes them do what is right for the company. Tim Cook was able to encourage his employees in admitting where he was wrong and where the employees are wrong. Application of different thought in the company to be able to compete with other technology company in the market. This has helped the company to come up with different products that are able to satisfy the needs of the customers. Hence, the ability of Tim Cook to encourage diversity in the company contributes to his effective leadership. Delegation: as an effective leader, Tim cook is able to make a decision regarding products and customer needs in the company during difficult times. Successful leaders and managers make regular decisions in the company. These leaders understand the market of the company products hence make decisions that are not even always accepted by their team leaders. However, he is able to tell his employees on what to do and explaining the logic in the decisions he make and the logic behind what is supposed to be done in order to ensure customer satisfaction (Matgang, 2012). Additionally, leaders should be able to involve others in the process of decision making in order to make every employee part of the decision. This is because effective leaders such as Tim cook do not make careless decisions and do not cower from their responsibilities in making a judgment call. As a leader, Tim cook is able to make choices in the company, and he is able to stand behind the choices as the ultimate decision maker (Lashinsky, 2012). Communication skills: communication skills are vital to the effectiveness of a good leader. This is because the ability of a leader to communicate with his team member and employees determines the performance of the team members. The ability to listen and communicate effectively and appropriately to the employees is one of the effective leadership attributes that makes Tim cook a skilled and effective leader. As the chief executive officer, he is able to read customer emails and respond to their needs. He believes that the customer experience is the crucial factor in ensuring that apple products are accepted by the customers (Hopkins, 2008). Leadership Training Leaders can be trained in order to become effective in their managerial position. This training and development ensure that leaders are able to lead by examples and achieve the goals and objectives of their companies. There are different attributes that can be trained and developed in leaders in order to make them more effective. The training can be in the form of academic training or training programs that are offered in the business organization (Desmidt, 2013). Integrity and trust: Leaders can be effective if they have integrity, trust, and respect. According to Campbell (2012), believes that the integrity and trust are vital for the leaders to be effective in their leadership roles. Integrity helps the leader to be able to motivate others as well as inspire new leaders to become effective in their roles. This makes the leader to be respected and perceived as wise in their decision (Campbell, 2012). Trust is crucial in ensuring a strong relationship between the leaders and their customer, as well as their employees. Integrity and trust training are offered in academic learning institution and through experience. Internal training programs are designed for all employees who desire for leadership roles in the organization (Hopkins, 2008). Communication and Conflict resolution skills: In order to be an effective leader, one should be able to have excellent communication skills and conflict resolution skills. In order to ensure effective management of employees, leaders should be able to communicate matter concerning production, sales and marketing in the company (Matgang, 2012). This means that communication skill should be trained to the leaders in order to make them effective leaders. This will make the leader be able to listen to the employees and customer demands and assimilates the ideas for proper implementation. In order to ensure that the employees of an organization trust the leaders, he or she should be able to resolve any possible conflicts in the organization. This requires strong analytical and communication skills in an effective leader (Markowitz, 2012). Compelling vision: There is the need for an effective leader to be able to understand the vision and mission of the business organization. This is crucial in the integration of the strategic human resource management with the goals and objectives of the business organization (Basu, 2012). Employees who aspire to be an effective leader can undergo training and development programs that allow them to formulate and assimilate the vision of the business organization in achieving success. Hence, leaders should engage in training programs that offer them with the knowledge and skills that ensure they have strong visions and missions for outstanding leadership in the company (Hopkins, 2008). Leadership Development In terms of leadership development business organizations are advised to use different steps in the development of effective leadership in the organizations. This includes selection of the best leadership style in the organization (Matgang, 2012). This can be done through open discussion forums by the management and employees of the organization. This will help to establish a culture of strong leadership in the company. This is useful in ensuring that the management v is able to identify employees who have strong leadership potential in the organization. Through proper identification of potential leaders in the company allows for the identification of the leadership gaps in business organization. Identification of leadership gaps in the b business organization helps the company management to determine the requirements for effective leadership in the future of the organization to successes and achieve its business goals and objectives. This can be done through performance evaluation of all employees in the organization in order to get the best employee in terms of leadership skills (Basu, 2012). Additionally, the company can develop a succession plan which will allow potential leaders in the company to develop into effective leaders. This succession plan will ensure that the company retains all the potential leaders who are conversant with the company culture. In addition, the leader will be able to understand the strategic human resource management and vision of the company. This is useful in ensuring successful and effective leaders. Therefore, in making sure that employees are good and effective leaders, they should be offered with the proper training programs in the business organization. The business organization can also motivate employees who aspire to become effective leaders by training them on the attributes that promote effective leadership in a business organization. In order to develop effective leadership, there should be a proper succession [plan in the business organization so that the company is able to develop effective leaders from its pool of dedicated employees (Desmidt, 2013). Conclusion In managing business organizations, managers are required to have a different leadership skill that will allow them to achieve the goals of the business organization. Effective leadership is characterized by certain attributes and skills that are possessed by an individual among the effective leadership skill include the ability to deal with the crisis in the organization, communication skills and quality management skill. Among the successful leaders in the world who have displayed effective leadership in their business organization is Tim Cook. As the chief executive officer at apple, Tim cook has displayed excellent communication skills, transparency, accountability, diversification and delegation of duty. This makes the company to achieve its goals and have a competitive advantage in the international market. Employees who aspire to become effective leaders can also be trained on effective communication, management and analytical skill that are crucial in leadership. In addition, business organizations can develop effective leaders from their pool of employees by establishing succession planning programs in the company so as to retain the employees who have the ; potential of becoming effective leaders. References Basu, E. (2012). How to Train Your Managers -- Leadership Training For Employees. Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/ericbasu/2012/08/23/how-to-train-your-managers-leadership-training-for-employees/ Campbell, K. (2012). How to train more physician leaders. KevinMD.com. Retrieved from http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2012/07/train-physician-leaders.html Desmidt, B. (2013). 3 Perspectives to Developing Leadership Effectiveness. Training. Retrieved from http://trainingmag.com/content/3-perspectives-developing-leadership-effectiveness. Finkelstein, S. (2013). Steve Jobs and Tim Cook: Does Apple Still Have the Leadership It Needs? Forbes. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/sydneyfinkelstein/2013/01/28/steve-jobs-and-tim-cook-does-apple-still-have-the-leadership-it-needs/. Hopkins, M. (2008). Five Factors of Leadership. Lead on Purpose. Retrieved from http://leadonpurposeblog.com/2008/05/01/five-factors-of-leadership/. Hur, Y., Berg, P., & Wilderom, C. (2011). Transformational leadership as a mediator between emotional intelligence and team outcomes. The Leadership Quarterly, 22 (4), 591-603. Lashinsky, A. (2012). Apple: One year under Tim Cook. CNNMoney. Retrieved from http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/08/24/apple-one-year-under-tim-cook/. Markowitz, E. (2012). 5 Essential Leadership Lessons from Tim Cook. Inc. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/eric-markowitz/tim-cooks-message-for-ceos-admit-when-youre-wrong.html. Matgang, L. (2012). The Making of the Principal: Five Lessons in Leadership Training. The Wallace Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/school-leadership/effective-principal-leadership/Pages/The-Making-of-the-Principal-Five-Lessons-in-Leadership-Training.aspx. Reichard, R., & Johnson, S. (2011). Leader self-development as organizational strategy. The Leadership Quarterly, 22 (1), 33-42. Read More