Analytical Paper
RUNNING HEADER: LEADERSHIP
Week 7 Analytical Paper
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to capture the different characteristics of Leadership, and how this apply to a real case scenario. The case scenario was briefly explained, and an analysis was performed to cover how the case fits in the theoretical framework covered this week. The organization had a transformation due to a change of the immediate leadership, and the team members and leadership performance drastically improved. The new leadership positively motivated, encouraged, guided and played the leadership roles with their team members with an improvement on people’s morale and performance.
Introduction
Leadership is crucial to build and preserve an environment that lead to a high standard and enables subordinates to an outstanding performance and maximize their contribution to accomplish the organization’s mission and goals. Leaders have to create an environment where their people can feel free in sharing their ideas and knowledge with the rest of the team, allowing them to come up with the best products for the organization and team advantage. Empowerment motivates the individual experience and skills that are suppress due to their superior’s insecurity (Colquitt, Lepine & Wesson, 2013). Leaders have the tendency to visualize what they want and transpire that vision into achievable goals by establishing plan with their team and by obtaining their commitment through his/her own inspiration and actions.
The leader’s transformation
Determining if a leader is good or bad will depend on those who influence and practice a good decision-making style and are a positive influence to their subordinates. Perfect example, a Division Chief who was always in a bad mood and behavior was affecting the mission and morale of the immediate subordinates. The immediate subordinates did not like his behavior and did not perform and execute, as the individual wanted them to. The command decided to re-structure the different areas of operations and two of the immediate subordinates were re-assigned to a different division and a new immediate subordinate came on board and was running the other two immediate subordinates areas. The mission was impacted by the absence to an important meetings with higher headquarters and the local and regional team members. This new immediate subordinate came with a fresh mind, attitude, and mentality and his behavior positively influenced the Division Chief and team members’ behavior.
Theoretical Framework
Leadership is characterized by the influence and power of the leader to guide the followers towards the achievement of the organization’s goals and mission (Colquitt, et al. 2013). In today’s business world is imperative that every organization posses an effective leader or practice an appropriate leadership style to guide the organization at any circumstance. Leaders are required to step forward and assist the organization to enhance the efficiency by enforcing the organization politics, leadership style and decision-making process.
The leadership decision making style will play an important factor when measuring the subordinates commitment and outcome. Colquitt, et al. break down the different decision-making styles as follow (2013):
• Autocratic style- the leader will make any decision without any suggestions or feedback from their subordinate or peers.
• Consultative style- the leader consults the decisions and ideas to the team or individuals. This style allows the leader to illustrate the goals or objectives and allow the individuals or team being part of the decision. However, this will depend what decision needs to be made.
• Facilitative style- the leader presents the issue to the individuals and unanimously come up with a solution.
• Delegative style-the leader allows the team member to make decision with certain restrictions.
Leaders are constantly engaging their roles to provide effective guidance and directions at the