Recipe for a Successful Leader, Situational Approach of Leadership - Assignment Example

Leadership and Management By: Professor: Class: University: City: State: Date of submission: Leadership and Management Question 1 The study made significant contribution to the leadership and social learning theories in a bid to ensure credible, attractive, and ethical role models that push for integrity among the leaders. Integrity is an attribute and behavior that leaders need to demonstrate irrespective of the cultural backgrounds. Through qualitative approach, the study achieved greater understanding of leader integrity across the cultures. For the comparative analysis, the managers contributed their views on what they understand with leader integrity (Weems, 2010, 127). The values, practices, and expectations of the leaders across the cultures are responsible for complicating the enactment of integrity of leaders. The study identified various themes resonating the existing research on the leader and behavioral integrity. Some of the themes are aligned to the virtue, which are considered proximal indicators of leader integrity since they convey morally good intentions. Effective organizational leadership across cultures is important for international organizational operations. The core ingredients that define leadership universally are skills, good judgment, and integrity (Chamorro-Premuzic & Sanger, 2016). However, the core recipe for a successful leader is the need for culture specific condiments. Question 2 Cross-culture involves the manner in which people from different cultures interact. Cross-cultural leadership has developed to understand the leaders working within the new globalized markets. International institutions require leaders with the ability to adjust in different environments quickly and work with people from different cultures. Leaders behave and portray ethical cognition differently depending on the cultures. These adjustments are the major factors contributing to the differences in the results across the cultures. Factors associated with moral maturation and conation model like moral complexity and identity tend to interact with various cultural values which in turn increases sensitivity of the individuals to issues associated with leadership integrity. People in higher and lower leadership and professional positions have different understanding of leadership integrity. Such demographic factors contribute significantly to the differences in the responses of participants on societal differences on the meaning of integrity (DePersis & Lewis, 2012, 192). Besides, organizational cultures, individual differences, and climate norms could interact with various forces of the society in heightening or weakening the beliefs on the integrity of leaders. Question 3 In situational approach of leadership, the leadership is fast changing and has a fluid role that needs to adapt to the development of the subordinate. The theory is flexible based on the needs and involves different factors: delegating, coaching, directing, and supporting. This theory relates to word-action consistency theme which needs that leadership practices conform to the uniformity of the outlined requirements (Heskett, 2012). According to the theme, action speaks louder than words. In addition, the theory also relates to openness and transparency among the team members. Therefore, according to the theory, leadership requires people guided with strong personal moral values. This is in line with the need for flexibility for accommodation of all the involved parties. Another theory is the path-goal theory, which views the role of a leader to assess every particular situation and ensure adequate flexibility to act with the directive, supportive, and participative. Based on the path-goal theory, leaders require people to achieve their goals; hence, the need for assistance, motivation, and supportive. In such line, the theory is applicable in honesty and fair and just. Leaders need to understand the weaknesses and strengths of the team members to enable fair and just judgment. Understanding needs to be in line with honesty and uprightness, which enable the leaders to stand firm while motivating the good behavior. Since the path-goal theory relates to the need of ensuring the achievement of a common goal, relates to consideration and respect for others (Brown, 2007, 124). This theme ensures that leaders bring together all the involved parties. In addition, it also relates to the value-behavior consistency, which requires the leaders to be consistent in portraying their values to the other parties. Question 4 Anglo and Germanic Europe seem to share similar scores on in-group collectivism and performance orientation (Harari, 2002, 215). In the Asian Confucian culture, there is dominant orientation towards the treatment of others by leaders in the theme, fair and just. Another component identified as a component of leadership integrity is the word-action consistency. Although the study of Asia related to the Confucian Asia but not the Southern Asia, it remains relevant for the Southern Asia since it is clear that both Confucian Asia and Southern Asia share similar profiles of leadership. Nonetheless, there is difference between Southern Asia and Confucian Asia based charisma, which is an important leadership attribute (Cohen, 2013, 172). The Anglo cultural cluster supports the participative approach of leadership, which is in stark contrast in the Asian Confucian culture. Some Asians in the West are not provided with the Confucian education directly; nonetheless, the Confucian ideology seems to influence their lives. In multicultural and multiethnic areas, each ethnic group has its identity and culture which makes them live together in harmony which makes intercultural communication take place pervasively among people with different races and ethnicities. Almost in every place, the Asians practice Confucianism, which makes the culture even popular in research compared to the Anglo cultural practices. Question 5 Based on Hofstede ‘s research, one of the main significant feature of the Chinese national culture is collectivism or low individualism. One of way to examine behaviors across the cultures and explaining the differences is looking at various dimensions of culture (Bai, 2013, 352). Literature suggests that there are cultural similarities between China and Hong Kong considering that they share the Confucian culture. Some of the responses seem to underline the significance of fair and just which involves social awareness of the leaders and expectation of the leaders being caring towards the team members. However, such focus may seem to diverge from the approach of “tough on the issue, tough on the person” which is seem to characterize the leadership integrity in the Anglo cultural cluster evidenced in Ireland and US. In such leadership styles, the emphasis is on institutionalized caring that is reflected on the significance attributed to the procedural theme of fair and just. Integrity leadership involves consulting the team members and engaging their ideas strives to lead them towards a direction that they recognize by the virtue of being accepted rather than position power. Such description seems to reflect the high expectations of the in Ireland and US. In the Chinese and Hong Kong, integrity leadership involves listening to the voice of self-standard and adhering to the self-agreed values. Other subordinates reflect such themes in the Confucian philosophy that emphasizes that the leaders are the role models with behaviors that observed and imitated (Den Dikken, 2002, 201). The theme of fair and just is deeply rooted in Hong Kong and Chinese Confucian philosophy that needs the leaders to be role models with good characters It is important that leaders have a positive cycle of intergenerational reciprocity through exhibition of behaviors that ensure wellbeing of the future generation. However, to portray these features, leaders need to understand relational support, which is based on the constructs of relational leadership. Relational concept of leadership is divided into three categories: respect for others, just in decision-making, and concern for others (Egel & Fry, 2016, 84). In Hong Kong, there is high power distance; therefore, the leaders are likely to have absolute power over their subjects. To prevent such abuse of power, the traditional Chinese and Hong Kong societies expect the leaders to act as the role models of their subjects. Since US and Ireland belong to the Anglo culture cluster, they emphasize on the consistency associated with just and fair theme. Within the Anglo cluster, the integrity appears to be residing among individual leader’s personal characters and moral uprightness. Question 6 There are several substantial demographic differences among the respondents used in the research across societies (Lynn-Sze, Yusof & Ahmad, 2014, 135). While selecting the respondents, the research used many female respondents in the Australian and U.S case studies while those from China were substantially younger, with limited work experience, and less represented within the senior management realms. The types of demography used in research influence the outcome due to their limited experience in the topic in question. There was demographic disparity in the research, which influenced the results from various countries. For example, using respondents with more than 20 years of experience from the US and Ireland but using Chinese respondents with limited work experience attracted research biasness. When people have experience in the topic in question, then their level of contribution and quality of input are unquestionable (Check & Okwo, 2012, 441). Work experience tends to increase the level of exposure of the respondents and interactions with both high and low integrity leaders in their careers. Furthermore, individuals with higher level of management and professional position may have different perspective on ways of enacting leader integrity and associated significance of the practice. It is important to note that such demographic factors may have influenced the outcome of research and differences in the responses of the participants irrespective of the actual societal differences while coining the definition of integrity (Martin, 2013, 415). Studies suggest that behavior and attitude of the respondents influence the outcome of results. These differences in some cases are attributed to the discriminatory treatment experienced by the female respondents. Experience of individual’s shape their attitudes and behaviors while responding to the questionnaires and research questions. Accuracy and quality of the responses given by the respondents depend on their level of exposure and education. With increased accessibility to education and interaction of people from different cultural backgrounds, many countries have experienced cultural erosions, which make it difficult to determine the influence of culture on leadership practices (Ike, 2016, 468). Quality research is subject commitment to fairness and equity by the researcher. Simplicity of the questions is of essence to accommodate the respondents with little educational experience and exposure in leadership integrity issues. Question 7 Today, leaders need to demonstrate high level of integrity and ethical behavior. Integrity involves possession and adherence to high moral standards; therefore, it does not simply represent espouse values. Based on cultural difference and difference in the definition of leadership concept, it may be argued that integrity leaders are only needed locally (Vickers, 2004). Besides, some research cultural differences to be a barrier to interaction among people. However, with businesses going global and the need to exploit various market niches, integrity leadership is becoming of essence. Global leaders have added roles of influencing others through examples irrespective of their cultural backgrounds. People do not follow leaders that they do not trust (Johnson, 2011). Effective and trusted leaders often demonstrate high levels of integrity to achieve the confidence of the associates who become loyal and committed to achievement of the required results. The culture of integrity is a prerequisite for international businesses. Leaders need to set high standards of integrity and compliance irrespective of the location. Integrity is viewed as consistency between the sayings of the leaders and activities they undertake. In involves making an alignment between people’s actions, values, beliefs, and words and the extent to which they keep promises. In leadership, integrity is perceived to relate closely to the fairness, honesty, and trustworthiness and considered the measure good moral and leadership standards. People judge integrity through the manner in which the actions and behavior of the leaders are consistent with the required moral standards. Integrity leaders are needed both locally and internationally (Walker & Truong, 2015, 5). Globally, it is important for leaders to demonstrate integrity. In every aspect of life, people need leaders who practice the things they preach. Quality leadership cuts across various aspects since it determines the quality of output. Integrity leaders need to focus beyond demonstration of word action alone but consider assisting others in internalizing various set of moral convictions, positive values, and learn of ways of regulating behavior through respectful treatment of other people. Question 8 The best title for the paper is cross-cultural leadership. Even though cultures are different across the regions, efficient and effective leadership standards are similar allowing leaders to transcend the national and corporate cultures. Any leader that embraces integrity and a master in the corporate and national cultures is able to succeed in the modern complex world (Globe Foundation, 2016). There are different aspects of quality leadership; however, it is important to choose the best method while considering the culture and goals that are to be met. The paper commenced with the definition of cultural and leadership concept and explored the cross-cultural leadership based on the extrapolation from the definition of leadership. Interaction of people from different backgrounds play important role in transferring culture from one place to another. Leadership with integrity reflects the manner in which people react to such contamination and ensuring that interactions do not compromise what they believe in and stand for. It is important for leaders to demonstrate integrity. In every aspect of life, people need leaders who practice the things they preach. References Bai, T. (2013). Early Confucian Political Philosophy and Its Contemporary Relevance. Dao Companion to Classical Confucian Philosophy, 4(3), 335-361. Brown, M. T. (2007). 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Public Integrity, 19(1), 77-95. Globe Foundation. (2016). Results - Confucian Asia GLOBE Project. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://globeproject.com/results/clusters/confucian-asia?menu=list Harari, O. (2002). The leadership secrets of Colin Powell. New York: McGraw-Hill. Hernandez, M. (2007). Promoting Stewardship Behavior in Organizations: A Leadership Model. Journal of Business Ethics, 80(1), 121-128. Heskett, J. (2012). Why Is Trust So Hard to Achieve in Management? - HBS Working Knowledge - Harvard Business School. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/why-is-trust-so-hard-to-achieve-in-management Ike, O. (2016). Core Values for Responsible Leadership: The Relevance of Ethics for Religion and Development. The Ecumenical Review, 68(4), 463-471. Johnson, R. (2011). Different Types of Leadership Styles | Chron.com. Retrieved April 12, 2017, from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-different-types-leadership-styles-17584.html Lessem, R., & Palsule, S. (2002). 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