Characteristics of Business Leadership - Term Paper Example

Characteristics of Business Leadership Steve Jobs was an American entrepreneur, designer and a globally recognized inventor. Jobs became globally recognized for his role in Apple. He was the co- founder, chief executive and the chairman of Apple Inc. he is also a co- founder of the famous Pixar Animation Studios and also a leading figure in Walt Disney Board (Halliday, 2003). Steve Jobs started his invention job after leaving Reed College. Together with his pal and later partner Steve Wozniak they began designing computer games. He started his work in their family garage, and it is through here that they got a major breakthrough. The Byte shop purchased their first fully assembled computer. It is here that the Apple Corporation became founded. The name was based on Jobs favorite fruit and the logo selected to play on the name of the company and the word byte (Lee, 2001). His highly innovative ideas of personal computers took him into changing the software industry and computer hardware. His invention changed the people idea of a Pc from a huge mass of vacuum tubes used by giant corporations to a small item used by the ordinary people. His development of the software for the Macintosh brought the use of windows interface and use of mouse that set a bar for all interface in software application (Halliday, 2003). One significant challenge Apple faces is Jobs himself. Majority of people believe he is Apple, and he has attracted a devotion of followers better known as the Mac faithful and recently the iphone and iPod fanatics. He is like a secular messiah to his followers and a cult leader to his competitors. The unmatched record of Apple’s products got found under his leadership and whose desire for sleek gadgets is unique in the business world (Halliday, 2003). The markets also are hyper about Jobs. To the world whenever he became faced with sickness the Apple share prices decline. The shares of the company significantly dropped by as much as 10 percent after the announcement of his medical leave. Rumors’ were also said that the company would be sued by its investors, who were unhappy with it’s about face on the health of its chief executive. Investors complained that the company was slow to tell about Steve Job’s honest medical status, and to incorporate a succession plan after his treatment of cancer. This is because of his influential role in vetting the organizations future designs (Lee, 2001). The other challenge was the lack of product blockbusters that will excite Apple lovers. Analysts believe that the company has no announcement to give to the public after the launch of the popular 3G iphone. In 2008, the company invented the slimmest laptop and Mackbook air but have nothing to show of late. Also, analysts are afraid that the lack of clear information on who would take over the management in coming years will affect the company in a number of ways (Lee, 2001). Leadership stresses the importance of influencing others in a number of ways in order to achieve the organizational objectives through change. Leadership styles have shifted from the trait theory paradigm to the behavioral paradigm which is more focused on what the manager says and does. Good leadership behavior gets based on the leader’s traits and skills. Leading by example is the most valuable things to managers. According to Albert Einstein setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means (Seligman, 2008). Job’s leadership style can be described as both Democratic and also employee centered leadership style. As a democratic leader, he encourages participation in making decisions, works with her employees to see what to do and does not closely supervise his employees but lets them make their own decisions. In employee centered leadership focuses on meeting the needs of the employees while developing mutual relationships (Seligman, 2008). Job’s has had the mission and vision of succeeding as a business man globally. In order to penetrate the global market, he knew what the purpose of the organization was in order to help other people. He employs employees who are also able to identify with his mission and desire to achieve, this made his company achieve prominent success. He also had the vision of where he wanted his organization to be. His vision is what encouraged people to imagine it, but still concrete enough for the followers to see understand and be willing to climb onboard and fulfill it (Seligman, 1988). He also had excellent character that has enabled him to market his products in different continents. Steve has been able to bring his computer gadgets to Africa where he still managed to garner a sizeable section of the market. His dedication and desire to help is what has endeared him to fans worldwide. For him to be successful, he had a strong locus of control over his organization. He believes that the success he has attained is due to his extraordinary personal efforts and his ability to influence other people (McClelland, 2005). Steve believes that a principled leader should be able to communicate with the employees on how effective the business should be. A strong leader should not be autocratic but democratic. One who understands the employee feelings and motivate employees. According to researchers superior performance get not found through employee efforts. Leaders need to motivate their employees to go beyond and above the call of duty (McClelland, 2003). He has a strong internal motivation. He has the desire and the will of achieving greatness in whatever he does. This is what has helped him in striving for excellence, running a successful organization and being able to influence other people. He is also having a high tolerance to risk and uncertainty. This and optimism has enabled his organization attain global success (McClelland, 2005). In motivating his employees, Steve organized various events for the workers and their families. This includes hosting luncheons, dinners and outdoor events. He awarded his best employees with various gifts and sometimes surprises the employees with gifts to encourage their participation in their jobs. Steve was able to understand his employees’ needs and meet them as a way to encourage increased performance (McClelland, 2003). Steve Jobs has the power in opinion and endorsements to influence the public opinion, especially on consumer purchasing power. Steve, though, not recognized for his philanthropic work, started the matching gifts program. This is where the donations to philanthropies made by his workers get matched by the organization (Seligman, 2008). References Halliday, D. (2003). Steve Paul Jobs. Current Biography 5, 20-25. Lee, D. (2001). The effects of entrepreneurial personality background and network activities on Venture growth. Journal of Managerial studies 38,4, 20-30. Mc Clelland, D. (2003). Human Motivation. New York: Addison Wessley. Mc Clelland, D. (2005). Need achievement and entrepreneurship. Journal Of personality and social psychology, 10-15. Seligman, M. (2008). Learned optimism. New York: Pocket Books. . Read More