Comparative Leadership Approches - Essay Example

?Comparative Leadership Approaches The concept and theoretical framework for the study of leadership have evolved and transcended through time. Diverse scholars and organizational practitioners have been continuously intrigued by leadership theories in terms of their profound effects in transforming organizations from meager existence to exemplary growth and success. A number of contemporary leaders manifest distinct approaches by exhibiting traits, knowledge, skills, and abilities that set them apart from the rest. Among the two organizational leaders that have been deemed to contribute to the extraordinary development and professional growth of their respective organizations are John Frances Welch Jr., known as Jack Welch to many, the former CEO of General Electric; and Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, Inc. In this regard, the current research aims to compare and contrast the approaches of these two leaders: Welch and Jobs, by using relevant leadership theories. Initially, a brief background on the definition of leadership would be provided; as well as pertinent contemporary leadership theories that are applied by both leaders identified would be presented. Further, the lessons that leaders in organizations could learn from these leaders would be proffered. Leadership Concepts The study conducted by Stone and Patterson (2005) perused the history of leadership theories and the origin was traced in the beginning of civilization (p. 1). As averred, “Egyptian rulers, Greek heroes, and biblical patriarchs all have one thing in common–leadership” (Stone and Patterson, 2005, p. 1). According to Martires and Fule (2000, p. 150), leadership is the process of influencing people so that they will seek defined objectives enthusiastically. It is concerned with eliciting behavioral responses that are more than routine. More clearly, Tannenbaum and Massarik describe the relationship between leadership and influence by saying that leadership is “interpersonal influence, exercised in situations and directed, through the communication process, toward the attainment of specified goal or goals. Leadership always involves attempts on the part of a leader (influencer) to affect (influence) the behavior of a follower (influence) or followers in a situation” ((1957, p. 3). The definitions would reveal the important elements particularly emerging in a leadership situation: the goals that are aimed to be achieved, the process of influencing, and the transformation from where the organization was to where to plans to be. Contemporary leadership theories have emphasized the concepts of transformational leadership on the organization (Stone and Patterson, 2005, pp. 6 - 11). As cited by Stone and Patterson, “with transformational leadership, the leader's focus is directed toward the organization, but leader behavior builds follower commitment toward the organizational objectives through empowering followers to accomplish those objectives (Yukl, 2002, cited in Stone and Patterson, 2005, p. 8). Jack Welch’s Leadership Approach In a comprehensive discourse written by Byrne (1998), Welch was identified to exude the following leadership roles: as teacher, mentor, coach, “the management theorist, strategic thinker, business teacher, and corporate icon” (par. 9). Due to the remarkable growth of GE under Welch’s helm, Byrne (1998) emphasized the transformation of the organization to attest on Welch’s exemplary ability as a leader: the growth in market value of GE “from just $12 billion in 1981 to about $280 billion today. No one, not Microsoft's (MSFT) William H. Gates III or Intel's (INTC) Andrew S. Grove, not Walt Disney's (DIS) Michael D. Eisner or Berkshire Hathaway's (BKR.A) Warren E. Buffett, not even the late Coca-Cola (KO) chieftain Roberto C. Goizueta or the late Wal-Mart (WMT) founder Sam Walton has created more shareholder value than Jack Welch” (Byrne, 1998, par. 12). The analysis of Welch leadership approach and style revealed that an interplay of traits and application of leadership theories enabled him to transform the organization to unprecedented heights. He was reported to exude “sheer force of personality, coupled with an unbridled passion for winning the game of business and a keen attention to details many chieftains would simply overlook. He does it because he encourages near-brutal candor in the meetings he holds to guide the company through each work year. And he does it because, above all else, he's a fierce believer in the power of his people” (Byrne, 1998, par. 16). The winning leadership skills and traits from his perspectives therefore are: firmness with charisma, genuine passion, peer skills, tendency to be autocratic and demanding, with the application of transformational leadership style, motivational concepts, hands-on governance and keen aptitude in matching organizational resources with opportunities posed in the environment. Steve Jobs’s Leadership Approach In “Leadership Behaviors and Attitudes of Steve Jobs” written by David Kramer, the discourse revealed Jobs ability to manifest charismatic traits in conjunction with an application of personalized leadership (Kramer, 2010). As revealed, “because of his “manipulative” behavior he is considered by some of his employees as autocratic. His behavior in meetings for instance is described as being rude, authoritative and obnoxious” (Kramer, 2010, par. 13). Jobs is likewise indicated to exude leadership styles that are entrepreneurial and transformational; with the personality traits being predominantly exhibited: high self confidence, low in humility, and great enthusiasm for the things that he does. As aptly concluded, “his charisma, self-confidence and passion for work overshadow all his negative characteristics thus making him one of most successful CEO’s of the decade” (Kramer, 2010, par. 36). From the leadership evaluation, Job’s style manifests a balance in approach focusing on his exemplifying an autocratic leader with charismatic and transformational style. The remarkable success that Apple, Inc. has achieved under his leadership attest to the effectiveness of the leadership approach in attaining organizational goals. Comparative Analysis and Lessons Leaders Could Learn The illustration below would summarize leadership approaches of both Welch and Jobs in terms of skills, style, as well as power and authority: Leadership Theories Welch Jobs Skills Entrepreneurial Entrepreneurial Peer Skills Peer Skills Communication skills Communication Skills Style Tranformational; Personalized; Autocratic Autocratic; Tranformational Power and Authority Strong Not his driving force From the summary, it can be deduced that both Welch and Jobs exhibit parallel skills and styles but differing in concepts of power and authority. For Welch, power seemed to be a crucial element to success. In Byrne’s article, he revealed that “in every potential leader, Welch is looking for what he now calls ''E to the fourth power.'' That's his term for people who have enormous personal energy, the ability to motivate and energize others, ''edge''--the GE code word for being instinctively competitive--and the skill to execute on those attributes” (Byrne 1998, p. 1). On the other hand, in Kramer’s review, Jobs power and authority perspectives were assessed as “his motives appear selfish, but without the typical requirements of the personalized power motive. It would possibly be fair to assume that power is not his driving force, at least, when we trust his own words, but rather that for him, power is something that is a necessity for what really drives him: achievement in itself” (Kramer, 2010, par. 30). Regardless of the similarities and differences, both leaders have exuded extraordinary approaches that steered their respective organizations to remarkable success. Their sheer talents and genuine passion and drive for their craft have been instrumental in influencing people towards the goals they clearly intend to achieve. The crucial elements of defining organizational mission and vision, goals and designing appropriate strategies deemed to give direction towards attainment of objectives are observed and applied. Despite diversity in styles, skills or approach, success could be achieved through the leaders ability to influence their subordinates towards the defined goals. By closely evaluating their people, their needs and drives, and the motivations required to assist them in performance, leaders are able to transform their organization to where they have not been. Conclusion The current research achieved its aim to provide a comparative analysis of the approaches of two leaders: Welch and Jobs, by using relevant leadership theories. The brief background on the definition of leadership; as well as pertinent contemporary leadership theories that are applied by both leaders identified assisted in presenting leadership styles, skills and power that were exhibited and applied by both leaders. Through the remarkable transformations of GE and Apple Inc. under their helm, both Welch and Jobs are commended and regarded by organizational practitioners as belonging to a distinct breed of extraordinary leaders in contemporary times. Reference List Byrne, JA. June 8, 1998. "How Jack Welch Runs GE." BusinessWeek, [Online]. Accessed 11 August 2011. http://www.businessweek.com/1998/23/b3581001.htm Kramer, D. Feburary 15, 2010. Leadership Behaviors and Attitudes of Steve Jobs, [Online]. Accessed 11 August 2011. http://davidkramer.wordpress.com/2010/02/15/leadership-behaviours-and-attitudes-of-steve-jobs/ (accessed August 11, 2011). Martires, CR, and GS Fule. 2000. "Management of Human Behavior in Organizations." 1-585. Quezon City: National Bookstore. Stone, AG, and K Patterson. August 2005. The History of Leadership Focus, [Online]. Accessed 11 August 2011. http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/sl_proceedings/2005/stone_history.pdf (accessed August 11, 2011). Tannenbaum, R, and F Massarik. 1957. "Leadership: A Frame of Reference." Management Science, p. 3. Yukl, G. 2002. "Leadership in Organizations." Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Read More