As never having researched leadership before I was both intrigued and interested in Hickman’s (2010) collection of passages found in Leading Organizations. Only being in the professional workforce a mere four years I was not savvy to the theories contained in the readings which I found both stimulating and thought-provoking. The different theories, some more or less extreme, all have similar threads woven through them all striving to define the same idea, the ideal leader, where they come from and what makes them what they are.
According to Burns (1978), “to control things- tools, mineral resources, money, energy- is an act of power, not leadership, for things have no motives. Power wielders may treat people as things. Leaders may not.” (p.68). I feel that this is the truth and a fact lost on many supervisors and managers who strive to be solid leaders. In the end, the followers have their own motivations, their own goals and aspirations and genuine leaders find the balance between the two. He also goes on to define leadership as “leaders inducing followers to act for certain goals that represent the values and the motivations- the wants and needs, the aspirations and expectations- of both leaders and followers.” (Burns, 1978, p.68). It should not be a battle of the leader’s motivations versus the followers; this only leads to a vicious cycle of agony. To act efficiently and effectively both the leaders and the followers need to stand on similar ground in terms of their purpose, their wants and their vision of the future.
Also, and most ideally, I agree that transforming leadership is preferred to transactional leadership. The former is simply an exchange of valued goods while the latter raises both the leading and the lead to a higher level of motivation and morality.
Greenleaf’s ideas on servant leadership were more difficult to concur with as I do not know whether I agree with the servant first, leader second progression. I do feel all leaders should suffer through the trenches of the lowest rungs on the corporate ladder however I do not believe that in doing this you will automatically be more concerned with another’s needs. He testifies that “the natural servant, the person who is servant-first, is more likely to persevere and refine a particular hypothesis on what serves another’s highest priority needs than is the person who is leader-first and who later serves out of promptings of conscience or in conformity with normative expectations” (Greenleaf, 1977, p. 90). I can appreciate that this may be the case in a percentage of the leading versus following population however I do not think that this is most often the truth.
The charismatic theory was one I enjoyed reading about as I see this being played out in leaders today and personally agree that a magnetic leader is one most cannot help but be drawn to. Arguably the most charismatic president, John F. Kennedy won the nation over with his charm and appeal. I find it valid that “…charismatic leaders adopt unconventional, countercultural and therefore innovative plans and strategies for achieving desired changes, and their exemplary acts of heroism involving personal risks or self-sacrifice are novel and unconventional.” (Conger, 2008, p.99). I do believe a balance is necessary however as relying too heavily on personal charm and allure will leave a leader open to criticism and disapproval from those who disagree with their vision of the future.
The four contingency theories are similar in saying that to improve the effectiveness of their leadership, leaders should modify their behavior around the followers or the situation. Hughes, Ginnett and Curphy (1996) succinctly summarized this point by stating the following:
…it was naïve to believe that sending someone to a relatively brief leadership training program could substantially alter any leader’s personality or typical way of acting in leadership
Author Note This paper was prepared for ACC-227, Module 8 Homework Assignment taught by Jennifer Biegala. Module 8 Homework Assignment Part I: Short Response 1. What are the three leading measures of learning and growth in an organization? The three leading measures of learning and growth in an organization are employee capabilities, information systems capabilities, and organizational structure capabilities. Each of these capabilities is further divided into cost measure, quality measures…
My Leadership Practices and Future C200 Managing Organizations and Leading People September 19th, 2014 My Leadership Practices and Future This following will outline my personal leadership practices and potential future leadership. To analyze my leadership qualities I will use the Seven Habits Profile and a leadership theory to determine my strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity for improvement. In conclusion, I will determine the best recommendations for long-term…
Rental Management Incorporated uses the four functions of management in its operations. The main objective of an organization is to achieve its mission. In order for the organization to reach its max potential, it needs to include the foundation of the four functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The understanding of the functions and how the organization uses them in its day-to-day process is important among the management team. Rental Management Incorporated, RMI…
2013. Many leading health organizations, including d du Labeling Laws Four states and some local communities require larger chain food establishments to provide nutrition content on menus. The Affordable Care Act includes a provision that will require certain chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments nationwide to list calorie content information for certain items on menus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to issue final standards in 2013. Many leading health organizations…
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attempt to provide my honest and professional opinion about the techniques Ms. Wakeman outlines in her book about leadership. In my opinion the Reality-Based Leadership book is broken down into three main points which are; managing versus leading, leading your employees and yourself, and delegating your authority. During these topics I will summarize what the book talks about then analyze what was discussed and provide my thoughts about whether or not I think it is realistic or wishful thinking…
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structures. Most organizations evolve into a particular structure. Start-ups evolve as the organization grows and the founders think they can no longer manage certain functions. The founders may then appoint a manager. As the managers think they can no longer manage the entire function, they appoint department managers. As new branches or facilities open, a manager is appointed, and so on. Over time, the structure is reviewed and changed to meet the needs of the organization. Managers can develop…
of Hiring an Effective Manager Organizations in today’s society must first understand the four functions of management and the skills needed to become an effective manager before they can identify an effective manager. Thomas Bateman and Scott Snell explains it best, “Management is the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals.” (16) Effective managers possess the ability to efficiently manage the organizations’ personnel, money, time, and materials and…