Situational Leadership: Be Know Do by Richard E Cavanaugh - Coursework Example

Situational Leadership: Be Know Do by Richard E Cavanaugh Abstract This paper mainly intends to evaluate the implications of situational leadership strategies that leaders can exert on employees at organizational crises or quandary. The study is based on leadership theories and practical evidences that explore the appropriate ways in which mangers can use their negotiation skills and leadership tactics. It has also incorporated two reviews; the famous book ‘Be Know Do’ by Richard E Cavanaugh and the Academy Award winner film ‘Twelve O’ Clock High’ into the essay for assessing the dynamic models of situational leadership. Genuine effort has been put to analyze other sources as well to make the conclusion reliable. Introduction In order for enhancing cohesion and competency in the internal as well as external settings of an organization, managers should have both strategic vision and discretionary powers. The sustainability of the competitive advantages of a group or industry not only depends on the long term strategies but also on the situational decisions taken to deal with unexpected dilemmas. However, the basic leadership challenge lies with assimilating team members’ collaborated efforts into the purist of proposed goals. In order to align the group members to achieve the objectives, leaders require maintaining formal responsibility for the group as a whole and a formal authority over it (Gardner p.166). Internal and external strategies Strategy in organizational management includes a variety of practices or processes that lay out organizational vision and plans to achieve both short term goals and long term goals. Strategy covers all internal and external aspects including infrastructure, customer relations, marketing, finance, and human resource management (HRM) that influence the organization’s value chain. Leaders often initiate immediate strategies (emergent strategy) to meet the internal or external challenges that perturb his group. The major problem with the emergent strategy is that decision is solely based on the leader’s perspectives and can address only the emerging issue; whereas, design strategy is the result of negotiation and bargaining between the members and the group (Grant 2005, p. 24). Regardless of the mode of strategy, a leader should always keep an eye on the external realities (Exercise Outsight, p. 180). What the author proposes is that comprehensive outlook and up-to-date knowledge are to be attained by keeping the doors open to the outer world to let the information and ideas flow in. According to the writer, insight and outsight are the inseparable parts of leadership that make a complete picture of the real issue (ibid). Leadership Styles Impact of leadership strategies differs from person to person also in relationship with the nature of job and the time limits meant for each task. Situational leadership employed in an organization can be taken into consideration as a club of task and relationship behaviors provided by leaders to their followers. The behavioral types according to Heresy and Blanchard (1988) may be of four categories such as telling, selling, participating and delegating. Telling is the process of one-way communication where the leader is the instructor of what, how, why and when a work has to be done. Selling behavior in leadership is about emotionally attracting the followers to the instructions with values and concerns shown by the leader during the course of his ongoing instructions. This behavior guarantees influential support to the group which gradually gets into the process with perfect willingness (Cited in Saxena & Awasthi 2010, p.22). Another style of leadership is participating behavior in which the group members enjoy the opportunity of shared decision making. This tendency of the leadership gives more attention to relationship behavior than task behavior. The belief in this style is positive approach and comfort of recognition lead to successful working atmosphere in the organization. Finally, at the most promising stage, the leader introduces delegating behavior. This helps the employees raise their confidence level and work more effectively towards the organizational goal. However, various authors suggest the introduction of maturity level analysis and developmental level evaluation to promote confidence and self motivation among follower groups. The study on situational leadership is aimed at resolving the emergency management of crucial conditions that are encountered by many organizations during times of insurgencies. According to Gardner, (p. 85), communication is the core of leader-follower or leader-constituent relationship. Leadership in ‘Twelve O’clock High’ There is a strong reference of situational leadership that was practically demanded by a group commander in one of the old movies, Twelve O’clock High. A Henry King directed Gregory Peck, Hugh Marlowe, Gary Merrill and Dean Jagger starred Twelve O’clock High is a 1949 American war film which features the participation of United State’s Army’s Eighth Air Force in daylight bombing missions against Nazi Germany and occupation of France in the early days of the country’s interference in the World War II. The plot of the movie goes in the line as it begins with Harvey Stovall’s visit to Archbury airbase in 1949 where he worked for the army during WWII with memories about his life in 1942. Colonel Keith Davenport, the commander of the 918th Heavy Bombardment Group fails with his team to execute the operation owing much to the strategic defaults in American policies of daylight bombings. The failure takes him close to his men. He does not want his men to run into trouble and lose their lives by flying at lower altitudes for more accuracy as per the commands of the Brigadier. Davenport argues with General Frank Savage about the risks taken by his men on account of the instructions. But he soon realizes that those orders were compulsorily to be followed by him. However, he tries to make his men free by dropping most of the instructions. This act of his shows two sides of his behavior; one as a kind human being while the other as an incompetent leader. These two things never match when situation demands a rapid action from a leader. Davenport’s sympathy to his men attached him to their hearts, but he could not resist the casualty rise because the situation demanded many of such events. Major General Patrick Pritchard recognizes that the reason for the failure of 918th Group was Davenport himself and asks Frank Savage to take the charge in his position. Pritchard’s reason was that Davenport was over-concerned about the subordinates and was too passionate to be a commander. This is another aspect of situation leadership demands. The ability of a leader to take righteous decisions irrespective of the people and personal bondages can only be a defensive cover for any team. This policy suggests the ‘fairness of firmness’ that every leader should follow in times of need. Savage was very strict and cared little for the grievances of his people. He believed in the importance of bombardment duty and instructed everyone sternly. His rude attitude troubles the pilots who jointly apply for group transfer but Savage instructs Major Stovall to delay the processing of transfer applications. Within a span of one week he arranged, he trains his pilots vigorously to get ready for a combat and resumes operations. The team’s approach and skill level has changed and their ferocious attack terrifies the enemies who leave them from further attacks. Further in the development of the story, the pilots who wanted to have their transfer sanctioned gradually withdraw their applications and sticks to Savage’s groups. This incident shows the importance of the might of situational leadership which is strict and protective to followers in the maximum possible way. Leadership Tactics The method trained in this attack in movie, Twelve O’clock High shows the perfection of leadership skills of Savage, who preferred duty over sentiments, though he had concerns for his fellowmen. The efficiency of a leader is much in demand when he fights during the most difficult situations. As it is suggested by every leadership thought, leadership is all about ‘quick decision and prompt action’. Here in the film, Savage’s character played a cruel trainer but an inspiring leader who could form a victorious team from a discouraged group of pilots. All his effect reflects the view that situational leadership is harsh to undergo but the result of effective leadership goes for the good of the entire team. ons. As it is suggested by every leaderMany of the military training academies included this novel or its movie version in the curriculum to inspire the people while teaching the importance of hardships for becoming a winner. Leadership in Be Know Do The make of famous book Be Know Do must have meant to mould the feeble minds of falling soldiers to brave hearts with die-hard attitudes at the fighting ends. This book introduces various inputs and techniques of application of leadership strategies in contingency times. Solid examples are taken from the lives and experiences of top brass of military officers from American Army to prove the effectiveness of leadership as suggested by the book. Richard E Cavanaugh evaluates this book as one of the greatest all time piece of work on leadership styles and suggests the same to enterprising leadership students to come up with the attitude to lead from the front in times of actual need. The book is so influential even to leadership experts; at the preview meet of the draft itself, Ms Frances said that “This manual could be as helpful to the Salvation Army as to the U.S. Army” (p.xiii). The book focuses much into the insight of being a leader as well as mentoring one. Wartime effect of leadership strategies see officers at higher ranks make rapid changes in front line set up. This war booting basis of leadership arrangements has been changed much from earlier times of warfare. The book goes in detailed about leadership traits like loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage in and outside the Army set up. Be Know Do is also ascertains the way of inspiring soldiers with the need, impact and the honor of each war they must be ready to take on. The great leader at a war front insists on fights and alerts his soldiers saying “Just calm down and keep fighting; or none or us will get back alive” (p.1). Conclusion Overall, the book and film gives an elaborate concept on what a leader must be like, know and what he should do in case of emergency. A perfect point of leadership attitude must be “You will have my utmost; I shall expect yours” (p.71). As a whole, situational leadership is all about leading from the front with little consideration for personal concerns. A leader thus makes his people tough and ready to react to difficulties with a brave heart to fight against failures – rather clearly, no failures at all if there is true leadership and follows up as guided by this great book. References Grant, R. M. (2005). Contemporary Strategy Analysis. (Edn5). U.S: Wiley-Blackwell. Print. Saxena, S & Awasthi, P. (2010). Leadership. New Delhi: PHI Learning. Pvt. Ltd. Web. Gardner, ……………….. Kavanagh, R. E. …………. Outsite Exercise………. Read More