The making of a Strong Leader - Research Paper Example

Introduction A business’ success is more often than not pegged on its leader’s role. There is a huge debate regarding whether a leader is born or made but either way a good leader leads their business towards success and not failure. In any type of business, large or small, there is need to have someone who possesses immense leadership skills that blend with their leadership style (Overton 2008). A strong leader can transform a business to a success through employment of a number of leadership skills.

In explaining this, the paper will look into Ryanair’s Chief Executive Michael O’Leary as an example.Michael O’Leary O’Leary took the helms of leadership in 1994 when the airline was just tying to wake up from a long slumber and a performance downward trend that had seen it make a huge loss four years earlier (Ruddock 2008). Massive restructuring was in force as a result of continued poor performance. O’Leary therefore had a difficult time ahead of him but today he can boast of transforming Ryanair into one of the most profitable airlines in the world with tremendous growth prospects.

Leadership skillsHe seems to have mastered the adaptability skill in his leadership. He took the company when it was at one of its worst moments and steered it to success. This means that he was able to identify with the bad times and above all understand the complexities. He has all along made changes with the times more so in the competitive arena. When other airlines reduce their fares, Ryanair reduces theirs even lower (Ruddock 2008). He has good people skills that enable him to sell his ideas in a simple and yet touching manner.

He is on the forefront in advertising where he introduces almost all their new products. He is also a good negotiator with the employees’ union as they usually come to compromise without much loss to either party. He has good sense of self awareness such that he quite well knows how people perceive his leadership style. As much as the airline has been successful, many have not come to appreciate his way of doing things especially the cost cutting measures towards the staff. He is also decisive and makes relatively good and timely judgments.

In the many times he has been faced with challenges e.g. a court case, he argues the company’s case with desirable wit. O’Leary is also purposeful in his strategies as he tries to maintain the airline as the best in the low-cost and low-fares category which he has achieved marvelously so far. He is also quite innovative and creative in strategizing. He has notably provoked free publicity through controversial adverts and products e.g. the €1 fee to use toilet facilities on board which was later dismissed by him after wide attention by the media (Ruddock 2008).

Conclusion Looking at these few skills that Michael O’Leary has employed it is clear to see why he has been able to make Ryanair a success story and is continuing to do so. His leadership encompasses almost all the necessary skills in running a business and turning it to be a success. Ryanair is now the most popular airline in continental Europe and in turn the most profitable with adjusted profit after tax of €319 million in 2009 (Ryanair 2010).References Overton, R 2008, Leadership for business success, Martin Books.

Ruddock, A 2008, Michael OLeary: A life in full flight, Penguin.Ryanair 2010, Ryanair’s full year profit rises 204% to €319m fares fall 13% as traffic grows 14% to 67m passengers Ryanair to pay dividend of €500m in October, viewed 20 Dec 2010, from .