How new perspective on leadership relates to the various types - Essay Example

New Perspective on Leadership New Perspective on Leadership The video interview with Ikujiro Nonaka and HirotakaTakeuchi presented a new perspective on a leader, which they mentioned as the “wise leader” (2011). They espoused the idea that companies today must have leaders who are idealistic pragmatists. They emphasized that companies more than anything else should have a moral purpose. According to Nonaka and Takeuchi, corporations must not only think of the economic benefit but also the societal benefits, that is, “stretching the moral purpose”.

A company’s goals must not be for profit alone rather, they must be concerned with providing for the common good. Another concept that Nonaka and Takeuchi discussed in the interview is the concept of “phronesis” or practical wisdom. Phronesis is “the habit of making the right decisions and taking the right actions in context, and relentless pursuit of excellence for the common good” (Nonaka & Takeuchi, Wise Leadership, 2011). They went on further to say that phronesis can be cultivated through very close human interactions.

This new perspective on leadership is very much related to the previous concepts of leadership. The other articles on leadership in the textbook also supported the idea of Nonaka and Takeuchi about being an ethical leader. The articles on the textbook also emphasized that leaders must have a passion to do right. This too was advocated by Nonaka and Takeuchi when they mentioned the importance of having a moral purpose and doing what is good for society. The six abilities of a wise leader which were enumerated in Nonaka’s and Takeuchi’s article are supportive and intertwined with the “Seven Habits of Ethical Leaders” taken up in the textbook readings.

The first ability of a wise leader is that he can judge goodness. Likewise, an ethical leader has a passion to do right and realize the importance of ethics in the decision-making process. The second ability of a wise leader is it can grasp the essence, meaning before they decide on anything, they are aware of the background of the situation and its meaning and consequences to the employees, the organization and the society. They always see the bigger picture. In the same manner, according to the textbook article, an ethical leader has a holistic view of the company’s ethical culture.

The ethical leader considers the interests of its stakeholders too. As described by Nonaka and Takeuchi, a wise leader must create shared contexts and communicate the essence. Similarly, ethical leaders like wise leaders are role models for the values of the organization. Both the wise and ethical leaders must be an example to their subordinates. Interaction plays a very important role for leaders to exemplify the organizational values. If a leader acts contrary to the values being advocated by the company, then he becomes an ineffective leader, making him neither a wise or ethical leader.

In conclusion, one can say that both the “Wise Leader” article and the textbook readings highlight the importance of a leader with moral values. Both literatures underscore that profit is not the only purpose of an organization. Instead, having a moral purpose and doing business for the good of society should be the ultimate goal of any company. And who else will set the direction of the organization towards their moral purpose if not the leader? Whether he is labeled as the “wise leader “or the “ethical leader”, it will still all boil down to one essential role of the leader which is to drive his followers towards the attainment of a common goal which is for the good of the organization as well as the society as a whole.

Works Cited Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2011, May). The wise leader. Harvard Business Review , 58-67. Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2011, June 8). Wise Leadership. (H. B. Review, Interviewer)