The Importance of Leadership

The Importance of falling It is the belief of umteen that drawing cardship is the vehicle or direction to two corroboratory and negative change. In fact, run shortinghiphip often determines the victor and/or failure of any organization, whether it be in business, education, religion, government organizations, and society in general.Clear evidence of this is seen in the recent-American Airlines woes, the closing of troubled schools across the nation, the public-scandal environ Enron Corporation, the positive impact of the Christian community by renowned-evangelist Billy Graham, the devastating-financial crisis of 2008, the re-election of Pre locatingnt Barack Obama, and others. With this opinion firmly in mind, and in context of the case study surrounding Sir Richard Branson and his attractionship ardour, this paper seeks to discourse the lead models spoken languageed in chapters 10 and 11.It will similarly propose a different leadership means that would enhance B ransons leadership prowess. Further, it will talk about a a couple of(prenominal) strategies that Branson can employ to develop and lead a worldwide aggroup working on a major project. Lastly, it will discuss some of Bransons leadership qualities and their personal and contemporary applications. Bransons leaders Style Illustrated in Chapters 10 and 11 Models Based on the straightforward amount of evidence presented in the text, Branson has proved himself to be an effective leader because of his vision, operating philosophy, charisma or appealing act upon, and financial success.Much of Mr. Bransons influence and success has been attributed to his direct-business involvement. Therefore, as illustrated in chapters 10 and 11, Sir Richard Bransons leadership t terminalency is sectionalisationicipative. To give emphasis on much(prenominal) revelation, Richard Branson is the Chairman of virginal meeting Limited (Ltd). He operates multinational entities that include air travel, f inancial services, and sell stores. Also, scores of people work for him. But regardless of the scope of Mr.Bransons responsibility and work demands he allocates a great deal of meter time to be personally involved with the day-to-day operations of the organization. Moreover, he actively listens to the concerns of his staff and customers in order to generate feedback and capture bleak ideas. To add to this, Bransons personal involvement and participating leadership dash has also gleamed in his business approach and priority. For example, employees and customers ar an integral part of his business culture.For this reason, employees are ranked first, customers second, and shareholders last (p. 344). The rationale behind such approach is thisif employees are recognized and feel appreciated, the level of customer cheer becomes high, and therefore re sour on investment (RO1) is realized or positive. In addition to Bransons personal involvement and participating leadership style, he surrounds himself with a diverse group of people so as to reflect the companys core beliefs, values, and desired outcomes.To add credence to this idea, in his book entitled, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of leading, (Maxwell, 1998, p. 110) remarked Every leaders potential is determined by people closer to him. In other words, leaders can make a significant difference when they associate themselves with commensurate people, as in the case of Richard Branson. More emphasis on this realizeographic point will be discussed later on. Another leadership style that reflects Richard Branson is transformational leadership.According to the text, transformational leadership involves anticipating future trends, inspiring followers to understand and embrace a new(a) vision of possibilities, developing others to be leaders or better leaders, and construct the organization or group into a community of challenged and rewarded learners (Hellriegel &038 Slocum Jr, 2011, p. 329). The above billet c ertainly captures and encapsulates Bransons leadership stylebecause he persuades many to bargain for into his inspiring messages. As a result, many expect become affiliated and in this manner are being rewarded.Also, Branson impacts the business community and a large scale. Further, he develops future leaders and enterprisers. Developing future leaders and entrepreneurs is requirement and it at the core of transformational leadership. An cleverness of such truth has been observe by the authors (Anthony, M. J. , &038 Estep Jr. , J. 2005, p. 298), Leaders are at their very surmount when they are raising leaders around them. In addition to Bransons transformational leadership style, his business approach is revolutionary.Undeniable evidence of this is seen in the amount and change of businesses he operates as well as the companys impressive-annual shekels sales$20 billion (p. 344). To add to this, Bransons hiring practice is also unconventional. That is, he generally hires p eople with gruelling communication and teamwork competencies that mesh with the pure(a) culture. Such practice helps Branson to be a better leader, which in turn strengthens the organization and its bottom line. So in brief, Bransons leadership style in terms of leadership models as presented thus far is participative and transformational.Suggestive Leadership Style to Enhance Bransons Effectiveness Even though Sir Richard Bransons leadership style is participative and transformational, his approach and behavior on a few instances is paradoxical. To illustrate, Virgin Group experienced massive losses ($20 million) in a couple of business venturesbecause Branson ignored prudent counsel from his top management advice as well as other critical-business measures. It is the opinion of many that transformational leaders have a tendency to be arrogant and until now ignored vital signals around them due to their intellectual inspiration and uncontroversial purposes.Such beahvior someti mes produced negative results. An example of this is seen in the horrific genocides or atrocities of the former-dictator Adolf Hitler. Therefore, by way of suggestion, Branson ought to add facilitate leadership style to his leadership competency. An insight on facilitate leadership style has been provided by the text The leader presents the problem to the team in a meeting, acts as a facilitator, defines the problem to be solved, and sets boundaries within which the decision must be made (p. 308).This leadership style is certainly advantageous for Branson in a number of ways. For example, as chairman of large groups of companies, Branson must not have a punt in every decision. Simply because such beahvior is perceived to be controlling, and the end results can be detrimental or costly as presented in the above example. In light of this, staff members must be authorize and heavily involved in the decision-making process of the organization. As a result, the period of time of effe ctive communication would improve, employee productivity would elevate, and the financial health of the organization.Strategies Branson can utilisation to Develop and Lead Major Project In todays ever-changing environment, there is no denying that Sir Richard Branson is a insecurity taker and he is not afraid of failure. Moreover, his track record and business credentials qualify him to negociate any major projects. So by determining how Branson would develop and lead a global team working on a major project, the following strategic steps ought be employed or excited (1) choose a research committee or advisory team and oversee it. 2) Empower committee or advisory team to discern a diverse group of individuals so as to generate disposed(p) and creative ideas and thus improve the project. (3) Assess or calculate risk factors and outcomes surrounding the project. (4) Adhere to sound business and management principles. (5) Have an clean mindset especially to internal and external change or resistance. (6) rate a large sum of money on the continued victimisation and research of the project and provide monetary and motivational rewards for research team. 7) take good-internal communication and public relations. (8) Establish effective-feedback mechanisms so as to receive come near reports, and make change/s if necessary. Strict adherence and execution to the aforementioned(prenominal) steps will most likely enable Branson to develop and lead a global team working on a major project. Bransons leadership qualities and their personal and contemporary applications Within the business world, Sir Richard Branson has unimpeachably experienced much financial success and setbacks. A commentary on this point has been noted by (Scott, 2010, p. 5), Theres another side to Bransonthe relentless work ethic, the failed companies, and tough times, but people generally breakt want to hear it. Such experienced has helped to strengthen Virgin Group Ltd. and set Richard B ranson apart in a profound way, and in time add to his leadership qualifies. Additionally, Bransons extraordinary business approach and entrepreneur competencies also complement his leadership qualities. Therefore, drawing on Bransons leadership qualities, the writer would seek to emulate his unconventional business approach and strong work ethic, especially in todays business environment and practices.In so doing, the writers carriage would be personally and professionally enriched, and thereby making a positive contribution to society in general. By further drawing on Bransons leadership qualities, fond responsibility would be imitated by the writer. In support of this, Branson pledged as much as $3 billion during the next 10 eld (through 2017) to tackle global warning (p. 344). Being socially responsible is laudably and even beneficial. To illustrate, it can attract investors, promote business growth, and help the sensible environment.To further mimic Bransons leadership qu alities, the writer would draw on his visionary approach so as positively impact human on a whole. It has been well said, Where there is no vision, the people pall (Proverbs 2918 King James Version). Other leadership qualities that are worth emulating from Branson are being an attentive listener, creating an informal environment to address and resolve problems. These qualities are so needed in todays society, considering that people are often ignored, afflicted, and exploited.As passionately argued throughout this paper, leadership is essential because it can make or mar the direction or success of any organization. More than ever, participative and transformational leadership qualities are needed. Such leadership attributes have aided Sir Richard Branson to develop unique business concepts and establish hundreds of business entities across the globe. In actual fact, they have helped him to gain much financial success. As a result, he has and continues to influence many individual s of all ways of life and spearheads many undertakings.References Anthony, M. J. , &038 Estep Jr. , J. (2005). Management Essentials for Christian Ministries. Nashville, Tennessee Broadman &038 Holman Publishers. Hellriegel, D. , &038 Slocum Jr, J. W. (2011). Organizational Behavior (13 ed. ). Mason, OH South-Western Cengage Learning. Maxwell, J. C. (September 18, 1998). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. Nashville, Tennessee, USA Thomas Nelson Publishers Scott, P. (2010). The Wisdom of Branson. Herald Sun (Melbourne), (), 85. Retrieved on November 26, 2012, from http//www. ebscohost. com