Doing well in leading the energy of others is critical in today's business environment because of its volatile and dynamic nature. The 24/7 world of business that has been brought about by technological disruption and globalization has made change in the workplace as necessary as the computer itself. Only people can make change happen quickly in a business and only people can keep the 24/7 work demand a viable business advantage.
This week we examine the relationship between a strong leadership point of view and creating competitive edge. It is important that our new GDD leaders take this message home. GDD is losing money right now because we are in a highly competitive marketplace and do not have the resources to compete. Change and innovation are the only way out of this dilemma. Our leaders must look for opportunities and people who can meet this challenge.
Rockfish Opening Remarks
One of the jobs of the leader, no matter at what level in the organization, is to create and sustain competitive edge. It does not matter whether you are the owner, CEO or team leader. The purpose of a leader remains the same - accomplishing the sustainable organization. Clawson (2009) explained that there are three ways a leader accomplishes this end goal; by being a strategic thinkers, relationship builder, and a change agent. To complete these tasks and lead the organization or group, an individual must understand the nature of the tasks as well as possess the skills necessary to complete them.
In the weeks to come, we will examine the job tasks and skills necessary to lead a successful vision. The way a leader goes about doing his or her job helps to set the direction, implement plans and motivate people to accomplish a task. The way a leader behaves and interacts with others to get the tasks done is known as a leadership style.
In week two, we learned that a leader must have a point of view or attitude. To complement that point of view, a successful leader should adopt a leadership style. The choice of leadership style should enhance the point of view of the leader and the structure and culture of the organization.
The following notable leadership styles will be examined this week:
Leadership Styles
Charismatic Laissez-Faire/Affiliative Situational
Visionary/Innovative Pace-Setter Transactional
Coaching Democratic Transformational
Command/Coercive Servant
Many of the leadership styles have emerged from the theories that we discussed in week one. Others have combined elements from different models to create the characteristics, behaviors, attitude and values of the model leader. In reviewing the reading and preparing for our discussion this week evaluate your leadership style as you know it now and see if it can be improved or developed.
THEME ONE:
Leadership style has a direct effect on employee commitment and organizational effectiveness.
Leadership styles, like leadership models have changed or expanded from the 20th to 21st century largely because of the shift in business landscape. In the highly competitive business environment of the 21st century, leaders must quickly gain the commitment of workers to the company to implement rapid change and innovation. Effective leaders should develop styles that relate to workers.
Trust, respect, ethical values and expertise are all characteristics that employees look for in a leader-follower relationship. For an employee to appreciate these characteristics in a leader, the style or way the leader choses to lead must be clearly manifested.
As has been mentioned in the past weeks, workers will not commit to the organization's vision without knowing that leadership, no matter at what level, respects and appreciates them as employees. Transparency and consistency in a leadership style goes a long way to building a trusting follower. In reviewing the course readings and material for this theme be sure to look at the style, theory and the way people skills of the leader are encouraged. Ask the question, how does this style encourage a strong leader-follower relationship?
Read:
The Impact of Leadership Style on Employee Commitment
What Is Your Leadership Style?
8 Common Leadership Styles
Leadership Styles and Assessment Quiz
Leadership Style, Emotional Intelligence, and Organizational Effectiveness
Organizational Effectiveness
The Effective Organization: Five Questions to Translate Leadership into Strong Management
THEME TWO:
Leadership style should fit the person, the organization, and the job. It should be situational in nature.
It cannot be emphasize enough that leadership style is not a one size fits all type of cloak. It must fit you, the company and the job.
The following story about leadership style illustrates theme two.
Alan Robbins started Plastic Lumber Company because he saw a way to help the planet, by converting plastic milk and soda bottles into fake lumber and still make money from doing so. Robbins had strong opinions on how to run his company. He expected that decisions be made in teams with participation from everyone. Sound familiar? To accomplish this goal, Robbins spent a long time on the factory floor chatting with employees, sounding them out on how best to get the job done. Robbins soon learned that this was not working.
Most of his low-skilled employees simply wanted clear direction and a set of standards and expectations for doing the work. The freedom that Robbins laissez-faire leadership style encouraged led to frequent confusion, employee absences, tardiness, and fights on the factory floor. Employees came to work under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Robbins style undermined his authority in the eyes of many workers.
While Robbins believed in his laissez faire leadership style, he had to force himself to adapt a direct style with factory workers to save the business and instill order.
Would Robbins style fit better at Google than on the factory floor? In the reading and preparation for this week consider the aspects of style that relate to a leader's ability to build relationships and keep the organization competitive.
Read:
Leadership Styles
Project One: Leadership Theories/Approach/Style
Purpose:
In the first assignment, students are given a scenario about Global Delivery Direct (GDD), a Norfolk, England medium-sized global delivery company that was started in 1968 by four college friends. . The purpose of this exercise is to see if you can identify the GDD leader in the potential candidates that will be hired to lead the new boutique services department.
Outcome Met by Completing This Assignment use leadership theories, assessment tools, and an understanding of the role of ethics, values, and attitudes to evaluate and enhance personal leadership skills
Background:
Andrew Rockfish and the co- owners have been looking for a competitive edge in the North American market that will translate well to the other divisions. A recent meeting of the owners resulted in the decision to target business organizations with custom services. This decision stems from recent feedback from customers that revealed that for GDD to anticipate the needs of their clients, suppliers and service vendors, the Company needed to decrease the turnaround time in delivery and the mailing of small packages and letters. Rockfish has decided to offer "boutique" services to its business customers. Catering to businesses will allow GDD to provide personal services that Fed Ex and UPS cannot offer. Customizing the services will allow GDD to increase prices while creating a new niche in the market. It was decided that the initial roll out of this idea would start in the US where an imminent threat from competition lies. Rockfish was on board with this idea and began a campaign with the rest of the Company to find ideas that would help encourage the new ‘Business First" strategic plan.
In response, a sales manager from the mid-west sales team brought this following idea from their brainstorming session for Rockfish's consideration. The sales manager proposed creating several mobile packing stores that would directly bring customer service to businesses. GDD would not just pick up and deliver but they would also package. This model could be viewed as an UPS store on wheels. The team got the idea from a local delivery service that started a similar business as a Mail Store on Wheels and it seemed to be doing well. The mail company has five "Mail on Wheels" trucks and focuses on taking small business, not individuals, away from the three local UPS and Kinkos stores. After a financial review of the company, Rockfish decided to buy the business.
Adrian Cheng, a young entrepreneur who ran the business with a philosophy that "customers always get the best of our time and service", started Mail on Wheels. Personal service, friendliness, and as much time as it takes to make the customer happy, was part of the mission statement. Employees were casually dressed and had no deadlines except those given by the customer. Cheng had approximately 45 employees and ran both day and evening shifts. He had one van that was on call 24/7. Cheng oversaw the entire operation with two assistant managers, one for the day shift and one for the evening shift. Cheng does not want to continue working once the merger takes place. Therefore, Rockfish has decided to hire a new manager for the new service products the company will offer.
Rockfish has decided that you, as a new management trainee might review some of the candidates for the job and help decide if the candidates have a leadership approach and style that fits the 21st century model that GDD is promoting in its leaders.
Instructions:
Step 1: Preparation for Writing the Assignment
Before you begin writing the report, you will read the following requirements that will help you meet the writing and APA requirements. Not reading this information will lead to a lower grade:
Review "How to Analyze a Case Study" under Week 3 Content. You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario focusing on using this information to determine opportunities and solve problems.
Read the grading rubric for the assignment. Use the grading rubric while writing the report to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade.
In writing this assignment, you will read and following these tasks:
Task 1: Third person writing is required. Third person means that there are no words such as "I, me, my, we, or us" (first person writing), nor is there use of "you or your" (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person.
Task 2: Contractions are not used in business writing, so you are expected NOT to use contraction in writing this assignment.
Task 3: You are expected to paraphrase, which can be learned by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html.
Task 4: You are responsible for APA only for in-text citations and a reference list.
Task 5: You are expected to use the facts from the case scenario paired with the weekly courses readings to develop the analysis and support the reasoning. No more than three (3) external resources can be used in completing the assignment. The expectation is that you provide a robust use of the course readings. If any material is used from a source document, it must be cited and referenced. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper and the How to Cite and Reference file located under Course Resources/Writing Resources.
Step 2: How to Set Up the Report
Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is double-spaced, 12-point font. The final product will be between 4-6 pages in length excluding the title page and reference page. You may not exceed six (6) pages so it is important to write clearly and concisely.
Follow a report format. https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/726/01/
Create a title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor's name and date;
Introduction
GDD's Results
Candidate's Results
GDD/ Candidates Comparison
Recommendation
Step 3: Identify GDD's prevalent leadership theory, leadership approach and preferred leadership style.
Task 1: Read the course readings in weeks 1 - 4 to gain an understanding of the concepts of leadership theory, leadership approach and leadership style.
Task 2: Read the background information under each week's course schedule and the case scenario to identify GDD's prevalent leadership theory, leadership approach and preferred leadership style.
Task 3: Create a table that illustrates GDD's prevalent leadership theory, leadership approach and the preferred leadership style.
Task 4: Explain the reasoning for the selection of each element within the table. You will use the course readings and the case scenario information to support the reasoning.
Step 4: Identify each candidate's prevalent leadership theory, leadership approach and preferred leadership style.
Task 1: There are four potential candidates for the new manager position. Below is a summary of Rockfish's interview notes for you to use in making a recommendation. Read the interview notes for each candidate.
Candidate One- Henrietta Raynard
Henrietta was the assistant to Alex Cheng. She is 28 years old and is currently finishing her degree online at UMUC. Henrietta is a business administration major. She is friendly and has a quiet demeanor. She does not tolerate much nonsense from people, hates surprises, and wants people to be brief in talking with her. Rockfish's personal impression is that Henrietta was hesitant in joining a larger organization. She appears to like the smallness of a business and feels in control in such an environment. She liked the idea of the collaborative environment of GDD and responded well to the idea that her opinions and suggestions were always welcome. However, Henrietta expressed some concern that the youthful employees of Mail on Wheels had plenty of opinions but not a lot of discipline in their work ethic. She found that structure, procedures and rules have worked better than asking for input. When asked how her staff perceived her, she laughed and said the staff called her a "Type A.". Then again, she indicated that to some of the people she works with, anyone who shows up for a meeting early is a "Type A." Rockfish noted that during this statement it was only one of two times during the interview that she held his gaze for any length of time. When asked what characteristics she thought a leader needed to possess to succeed in the 21st century she replied, "...objective, practical, controlled and fair." Raynard said her leadership style was transactional but Rockfish was not sure if it was not more authoritarian. When asked what leadership theory she thought was most likely to work in the 21st century her reply was "Great Man, because it emphasizes the characteristics of a person like honesty and trust." Raynard's knowledge of the business was sound but when asked if anyone could be a leader she said no. It was up to the position that a person holds. She seemed to know little about how GDD operated. When asked if she had a leadership approach she replied, "Can you clarify the question? If you mean, do I think I can l lead? Sure." Raynard did understand that sustainability was very important to the business. She said she had some ideas about how to make the process aspect of Mail on Wheels better, more efficient while saving cost. She also thought that being eco-friendly was important but realized that was the other meaning of the word sustainability in business.
Candidate Two- Orson Hernandez
Hernandez currently manages the local Kinkos store. He has remained loyal to the company even after the merger. However, Hernandez feels that the store's image, culture, and mission have changed dramatically since the merger. He enjoys working with a customer until they are satisfied and regrets having to short change the time he currently spends with customers. He also feels that the company culture has become more rigid. When asked what characteristics he thought a leader needed to succeed in the 21st century, he replied, "...flexible, compassionate, insightful and honest". Hernandez seemed to understand the idea of a mobile packaging store and was aware that Cheng's company was becoming a strong competitor for the small business customers. Asked about the idea of competitive edge he said that a leader at his level does not have to worry about competitive edge. He likes the collaborative culture at GDD and showed signs of having done his homework on the Company. He said that GDD would do well if the company made sure the new division continued the existing culture because it encouraged creativity. When asked how he created followers among his employees, Hernandez replied that he liked to use incentive motivational techniques and would sometimes empower workers if they showed an ability to manage others well. Hernandez said he was a laisse-faire leader because it encouraged freedom. His said his favorite leadership theory was contingency theory because it allowed him to approach things by the situation. He liked to agree with people and saw himself as being flexible. Hernandez said that he really did not have an approach to leadership just a style.
Candidate Three- Jonathan Livingston
Currently works for the IT department at UPS and obtained this job right after serving in the military. Livingston entered the interview room all smiles and with a firm handshake. Rockfish admitted to being impressed by the firm handshake and the constant eye contact throughout the interview. Livingston was well prepared to discuss both companies having visited both prior to the interview. Livingston had also read about GDD online and spoke with current employees. Livingston indicated that he was the team leader in his current job and was content with the organization. However, his current job does not lead him to a career position in management, which he desires. His approach to leading is to look for leadership opportunities and encourage employees to act upon them if possible. Livingston believes he is positive about the future and while he knows that GDD is searching for market share, he feels that he can bring a big picture perspective to the new company by having worked at UPS. Livingston said he sees himself as a transformational leader. He feels good leadership is about having good relationships with followers. Relationship theory seemed to make the most sense to him for the 21st century because people are responsible for making change happen as well as leading change in the future.
Candidate Four-Adrianna Coyote
Coyote went to work for GDD as a part-time employee straight out of college. She took time off to have a family but is now managing the GDD airport station at the Ontario Hub. Having read about the opportunity through the GDD's HR division website, Coyote was excited about the possibility of moving her career forward She is quite familiar with GDD shipping methods, deadlines, culture and policies. Coyote has many innovative ideas besides the mobile vans that would promote the business boutique market. Coyote's evaluations are superior and she works well with her team. Her colleagues indicated that she is flexible and is a "people-first" person.
Her eye contact is good and she comes off as being authentic. She describes her leadership style as servant with a touch of authoritarian. The deadlines of station work require strong direction at times and she believes that she must be strict about the deadlines. However, Coyote tries to serve her people by looking at their needs and giving them a chance to be happy in their jobs. Her team seems to concur. She has little knowledge of the mobile business but has researched and looked closely at Mail on Wheels. When asked about her favorite leadership theory she replied "relationship but really servant." The idea of having a leadership approach seemed to stump Coyote. She said, "Leaders must encourage others and to seek ways for the company to do well."
Task 2: Create a table that illustrates each candidate's prevalent leadership theory, leadership approach and preferred leadership style.
Task 3: Explain the reasoning for the selection of each element within the table. Use the course readings and the case scenario information to support the reasoning.
Step 5: Compare and Contrast GDD with Candidates
You will now compare and contrast the leadership qualities that fits GDD leadership model with the leadership qualities of the fourcandidates.
Task 1: Identify the similarities and differences in the data in the two tables looking to see what candidate best fits the GDD leadership model.
Task 2: Use the data ascertained in comparing the two tables to complete the following rating table for the four candidates. Use a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest rating and 1 the lowest rating. Note that it is possible to have candidates that fall within the same category.
Candidate 1 No Fit 2 Bad Fit 3 Not Sure 4 Good Fit 5 Best Fit
Raynard
Hernandez
Livingston
Coyote
Task 3: For each candidate, explain how you arrived at the rating. Be sure to use the course reading and case scenario facts to support your conclusions reflected in the rating table.
Step 6: Recommend the candidate that best fits GDD's leadership model
Rockfish is depending on you to recommend the best candidate for the position. Review the information from the prior steps.
Task 1: Identify the candidate that you believe best fits the GDD leadership model and explain why he or she is the best candidate for the position.
Task 2: Support the recommendation by making a comparison between GDD's leadership model and the qualities the candidate possesses covering leadership theories, leadership approach and leadership style.
Step 7: Submit the report in the Assignment Folder.
Global Delivery Direct - Company Profile
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How to Analyze a Case Study
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Discussion Topic
Learning Activity 1 Theme One: Leadership style has a direct effect on employee commitment and organizational effectiveness.
1. Take the leadership style quizzes below.
2. What's Your Leadership Style
3. What Kind of Leader Are You?
4. Discuss the results and how leadership style can affect employee commitment and organizational effectiveness. Be sure to define in your own words, employee commitment and organizational effectiveness before showing how the leadership style relates to the two concepts. Also, discuss how style affects communication, employee input, morale and goals with respect to commitment and organizational effectiveness.
For example, a person with an authoritarian style might communicate only those ideas they he is she deems important for an employee to know. This can lead to inaccurate execution of tasks or morale issues.
Learning Activity 2 Theme Two: Leadership style should fit the person, the organization, and the job. It should be situational in nature.
You are the Package Distribution Manager for GDD. It has come to your attention that five drivers in your region have serious errors in their delivery report logs. The delivery report is key to controlling package flow and must be accurate. If not, GDD will not be paid by their clients and would quickly lose their business to Fed Ex or UPS. One of the drivers accounts for 60% of the errors. She is a nice person, reliable but occasionally late to work because of conflicts with getting her kids to school on time. She is a single mother. A second driver accounts for 30% of the errors. This driver is new to the company and while his error numbers are high they have declinedfrom last month. The other driver's errors hover around 10 to 15%.
After taking the quizzes below and using the course readings to delve deeper into your leadership style, answer the following questions using the style that is indicated in the test results.
How will you go about correcting the problem? Will you meet with the workers individually? in a group? What will you say and how will you get the workers to listen?
After your conversation, what would you do if the next set of reports show some improvement in the 60% employee but none in the 10-15% employees? What would you do then?
What leadership style did you use? Was it easy to use the leadership style? Or Hard? Did you find that the leadership style might not really be helpful in your approach to each situation? Do you believe another style might be better in one or the other of the situations? If so which one and why? If not, why not?