Leadership Analysis Analyze an effective or ineffective leader within an organiz
ID: 452164 • Letter: L
Question
Leadership Analysis
Analyze an effective or ineffective leader within an organization by answering the following questions:
Would you classify this person as a leader or manager? Why?
Identify constructive or destructive communication behaviors this person exhibits.
Describe the style approach used by this person: autocratic, democratic, laissez-fair, or impoverished management? Explain your observation.
Classify the power base(s) used by this person: legitimate, reward, coercive, referent, expert, or connection. Give examples.
Does this leader uphold ethical principles? Explain.
What have you learned from observing this person?
How can you apply your observations to make you a better leader?
Your response should be at least 200 words in length.
Explanation / Answer
I have selected Jeffery R. Immelt who is the current CEO of GE.
1. I will classify Mr. Immelt as a leader. His role in the organization is to facilitate decision making, rather than make decision making. His approach is to set the direction and then lead from the front. His focus is on the long term horizon and not on the day to day operations of the company. His focus is on leading people rather than managing the work. Thus, i would classify Mr. Immelt as a leader and not as a manager.
2. Mr. Immelt's leadership style is democratic. Decision making is done as a group. Mr. Immelt facilitates group discussions but does not try to dominate the discussions.
3. The power base used by Mr. Immelt is legitimate power. He has been appointed as the CEO of GE by its board. He enjoys the power due to his position. For example, the various heads of different divisions of GE reports to Mr. Immelt. The heads of appliances and lighting, energy management, healthcare, power and water, transportation etc. all report to Mr. Immelt.
4. Yes, this leader upholds ethical principles. Mr. Immelt had once said that leadership is not only about high performances but also about high values. He strongly believes in integrity and ensures that all leaders in GE develop an internal transparency on the value of integrity.
5. The things that i have learned are: (i) a good leader should always empower the teams within the organization (ii) a good leader should act as an agent of change (iii) a good leader must walk the talk and lead from the front (iv) a good leader should have the ability to shoulder responsibility during the time of a crisis.
6. I can apply the observations to make myself a better leader. For example, in my work, i am the team leader of a software department, I have already asked the members of my team to take decisions as a team. My role will be to facilitate the decision making process. Secondly, i have started taking into account the impact of a decision from a long term's perspective and do not cosnider the short term impacts and ramifications. Lastly, i have started focusing on leading the people of my team. All these practical applications of my observations can make me a better leader.
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