MGT 460 Week 1 Discussion

What is the difference between transformational leadership and transactional leadership? Provide an example of a transformational leader and a transactional leader that you've interacted with in your life and explain why they fit the description provided in our textbook. Which type of leadership do you prefer and why?

Refer to section 14-1 in your textbook, "Leaders versus Managers". Often times, I hear these words used interchangeably in business environments. As discussed in this section, Leaders and Managers are two very different roles. On a personal level, this is a favorite topic of mine and in every business course I teach, I like to take an opportunity to talk about:   Leaders vs. Managers vs. Supervisors   In your own words, tell us how you define each one of these roles. Are they the same to you? Are all leaders also managers or supervisors? Are all managers and supervisors automatically leaders? Are management and supervision the same things?   Discuss...

What are some possible problems that a company may encounter if it does not engage in contingency planning? Identify someone who you think is a good leader – it can be someone you know personally or a public figure. Describe the traits that you think are most important in making this person an effective leader. Would this person’s leadership style work in situations other than his or her current position? Why or why not?

What do you think is the best leadership style? Why? Cite 3 reasons and relate to our current situation.   References:   Autocratic Leadership Also called the authoritarian style of leadership, this type of leader is someone who is focused almost entirely on results and efficiency. They often make decisions alone or with a small, trusted group and expect employees to do exactly what they’re asked. Closely supervises and controls people when they perform certain tasks. The Democratic LEADERSHIP Includes one or more people in the decision making process of determining what to do and how to do it. Maintains the final decision making authority. Balances production and people issues Builds a working team of employees Team approach: involves subordinates Organization is a vehicle for carrying out plans Laissez-faire or hands-off Leadership This leadership style is the opposite of the autocratic leadership type, focusing mostly on delegating many tasks to team members and providing…

Approaches to leadership vary widely, reflecting the diverse philosophies and theories that have emerged over time. One prevalent perspective is the trait approach, which posits that effective leaders possess certain inherent qualities such as confidence, integrity, and intelligence. Another school of thought, the behavioral approach, focuses on observable actions and suggests that successful leadership is a result of specific behaviors rather than inherent traits. Situational leadership, on the other hand, emphasizes the adaptability of leaders to different circumstances, arguing that the most effective leaders tailor their approach to the needs of the situation and their team. Furthermore, the transformational leadership approach emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers to achieve their full potential, while the transactional leadership model focuses on the exchange of rewards and punishments to achieve desired outcomes. These diverse approaches highlight the complexity of…

You have just returned from a conference on leadership held in the lovely Southside of Chicago. You heard from a diverse range of interesting speakers such as Aaron ‘T-Bone’ Walker and Barrelhouse Chuck. However, it was Albert Collins talk on Authentic Leadership which you found the most interesting. Albert was quite critical of Authentic Leadership and since your boss, Eddy ‘The Chief’ Clearwater, wants to know more, he has asked you to prepare a summary for him. Outline the core criticisms of Authentic Leadership in practice AND as a theoretical framework in a memo to your boss. (400 words)

Provide a brief introduction of your selected leaders. What is his/her leadership style? Compare and contrast your leadership style with him/her. Explain with the help of real-life situations/examples from his/her personal, work, and political life. What were their most important skills as a leader and how do you relate those skills to yours? Explain.

Leadership is a multifaceted concept that encompasses various styles and approaches tailored to different situations and contexts. Some leaders adopt a democratic style, encouraging participation and input from team members, while others may lean towards a more autocratic approach, making decisions independently. Situational leadership recognizes that effective leaders adapt their behavior based on the needs of the situation and the Individuals Involved, whether it's providing guidance and support or delegating tasks and responsibilities. Ultimately, successful leaders possess the flexibility and insight to navigate diverse challenges and inspire their teams to achieve excellence.   Question: How does the concept of situational leadership contribute to the effectiveness of leaders in navigating complex organizational environments, and what strategies can leaders employ to develop this adaptability?

One prominent leadership theory is the situational leadership theory, which suggests that effective leadership is contingent upon the specific circumstances or context in which it occurs. According to this theory, leaders should adapt their style based on the readiness or maturity level of their followers. In other words, leaders must assess the competence and commitment of their followers and adjust their leadership approach accordingly, whether it be directing, coaching, supporting, or delegating tasks. By flexibly adapting their leadership style to meet the needs of their followers, leaders can maximize their effectiveness and facilitate the achievement of organizational goals.   Question: How can leaders effectively assess the readiness or maturity level of their followers in order to determine the most appropriate leadership style to employ?

Identify someone who you think is a good leader – it can be someone you know personally or a public figure. Describe the traits that you think are most important in making this person an effective leader. Would this person’s leadership style work in situations other than his or her current position? Why or why not? Do performance appraisals accomplish that for which they were designed -- coaching, feedback, setting pay, determining promotions, and documentation?

The path-goal theory of leadership emphasizes the importance of leaders clarifying the path to goal attainment for their followers and providing the necessary support and guidance to help them achieve those goals. According to this theory, effective leaders engage in behaviors that remove obstacles, provide incentives, and offer support to facilitate the success of their followers. These behaviors may include offering coaching and feedback, setting clear expectations, and adjusting their leadership style to fit the needs of individual followers and the demands of the situation. By actively supporting their followers in overcoming challenges and reaching their objectives, leaders can enhance motivation, satisfaction, and ultimately, performance within the organization.   Question: How can leaders effectively tailor their leadership behaviors to the specific needs and preferences of their followers, while also maintaining consistency and clarity in their approach?

Leading and managing are two very different things. Being a manager means something more than gaining authority or charge over former colleagues. With the title does come the power to affect company outcomes, but it also comes with something more: the power to shape the careers and personal growth of subordinates. According to Steve Keating, a senior manager at the Toro Company, it is important not to assume that being made a manager automatically makes you a leader. Rather, being a manager means having the opportunity to lead. Enterprises need managers to guide processes, but the employees—the people—need a leader. Keating believes that leaders need a mindset that emphasizes people, and the leader’s job is to help the people in the organisation to be successful. According to Keating, “If you don’t care for people, you can’t lead them” (Hakim 2017 n.p.). For someone who has been promoted over his peers, ground rules are essential. "Promotion doesn’t mean the end of friendship but it…

LEADERSHIP STYLES Make a summary of the topic discussed in the article Explain each leadership style and give examples. For each leadership style, mention what are the strengths and what are the weaknesses, according to the author.

Explain the four new and emerging theories of leadership (empowering, ethical, authentic, and servant).  How is each type of leadership different from traditional theories of leadership?  Do you think these theories extend our knowledge and understanding of effective leadership?

Discuss one of the leadership types addressed in this units readings.  Describe a  leader who personifies this leadership type. What knowledge, skills, and abilities does this leader have that made them good fit for this leadership type?.

You work for an organization that over the past 7 years has expanded into both Canada and India. During a recent leadership meeting, the need for an updated employee vacation policy was discussed in light of the fact that the organization now has employees working in global markets. Imagine that you have been assigned as the team leader of a newly created team assigned to review the current company vacation policy and provide recommendations for updating the policy. You have determined that the first thing that you should do as the leader of this newly minted team is to build a cohesive team.  As the team leader, what action would you take first in setting expectations with your team? What are common process roles when considering high-performance teams?

You work for an organization that over the past 7 years has expanded into both Canada and India. During a recent leadership meeting, the need for an updated employee vacation policy was discussed in light of the fact that the organization now has employees working in global markets. Imagine that you have been assigned as the team leader of a newly created team assigned to review the current company vacation policy and provide recommendations for updating the policy. You have determined that the first thing that you should do as the leader of this newly minted team is to build a cohesive team.  What do you call the difference between what you say and what you do? When scheduling team meetings, what should you try to avoid?

You work for an organization that over the past 7 years has expanded into both Canada and India. During a recent leadership meeting, the need for an updated employee vacation policy was discussed in light of the fact that the organization now has employees working in global markets. Imagine that you have been assigned as the team leader of a newly created team assigned to review the current company vacation policy and provide recommendations for updating the policy. You have determined that the first thing that you should do as the leader of this newly minted team is to build a cohesive team.  Why is LESCANT important when working in international settings? What action is most important when working with a virtual team?

Do you agree that self-awareness is essential for being a good leader? Can you think of some specific negative consequences that might result from a leader not having self-awareness? Leaders of many corporations have failed to overcome moral and ethical challenges. What is needed for more leaders to overcome this type of challenge? As a leader, what would you want most from followers? As a follower, what would you want most from your leader? How do these differ? Why?

Your Double Helix of Leadership: Creating a Personal Development Plan to Grow as a Leader Often in leadership roles, the process of identifying a performance or opportunity gap, crafting a plan to tackle that gap, and implementing that plan requires an array of leadership qualities, competences, and practices. This process then becomes an opportunity for leaders to try on new behaviors or to work on aspects of their leadership where they may most need or want to grow. With your action plan drafted, consider how you intend to use your work on that challenge to stretch yourself as a leader. What qualities, competences, or practices (from the list you completed at the start of this course) do you want to develop? How will you use your action items to enhance your leadership and progress on your journey of personal development? Use the table below to guide your personal growth planning process.   ACTION TO TARGET ROOT CAUSE QUALITY / COMPETENCE / PRACTICE YOU WANT TO IMPROVE HOW…

The role of an executive-level leader differs from that of a department-level leader. Identify the characteristics of an effective leader at each level. Compare and contrast the two, giving at least two examples for leadership style and leadership characteristics.

Can a leader truly exercise the values espoused by their organization or are their behaviors simply profit-driven? Can one achieve both or is that simply too simplistic?

How does having an integrated model of leadership help me become an effective leader?How can I use trait theories to improve my ability to lead?Do effective leaders behavior behave in similar ways?How can I use transformational leadership when working with others?

After listening to the video on Leadership and Change Management, consider your readings across the course with a special eye to the readings on leadership.  Answer the following questions: Select one approach to leadership and one style of leadership. Define the leadership approach and the leadership style selected.  Share a leader who displays the approach defined.  Share a leader who displays the leadership style defined.  Include why this leader was chosen. How do you think the leader you have identified manages change in their organization?  Share an example of how this leader's company has dealt with change.

How important are excellent leaders to organizations? If you were to ask the recently-retired 3M CEO George Buckley, he’d say extremely important. But he’d also say that excellent leaders don’t just pop up out of nowhere. A company has to cultivate leaders who have the skills and abilities to help it survive and thrive. And like a successful baseball team with strong performance statistics that has a player development plan in place, 3M has its own farm system. Except its farm system is designed to develop company leaders. 3M’s leadership development program is so effective that it has been one of the “Top 20 Companies for Leadership” in three of the last four years and ranks as one of the top 25 companies for grooming leadership talent according to Hay Consulting Group and Fortune magazine. What is 3M’s leadership program all about? About 10 years ago, the company’s former CEO (Jim McNerney, who is now Boeing’s CEO) and his top team spent 18 months developing a new leadership model…

If you were the leader of a large company, what type of leadership style would you portray?  Why you would favor a particular style and how you would use that style to interact with and lead a diverse population of employees.

If you could model yourself after one or more historical leaders, whom would you model yourself after? Identify two of their traits that you could and should incorporate into your style of leadership.