Leadership Styles And Characteristics
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Write a 3–5 page evaluation of the leadership styles and characteristics of effective leaders, based on a leader you admire and on leadership approaches addressed in a provided illustration.
Becoming an effective leader is a very personal and individual experience. Each great leader carries out his or her leadership practices differently. Yet, several common leadership styles and characteristics of effective leaders have been identified through the study and theories of leadership.
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Running head: LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 1
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Leadership Styles and Characteristics
Learner’s Name
Capella University
Fundamentals of Leadership
Leadership Styles and Characteristics
June, 2018
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 2
Copyright ©2018 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
Leadership Styles and Characteristics
The leader I admire is Mary Barra, chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM). Founded
by William C. Durant in 1908 and headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, GM is a global
automotive company that develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes vehicles and vehicle
parts. It also offers financial services through General Motors Financial Company, Inc. (Forbes,
2018). GM has dealers in over 125 countries and has several prominent brands such as Buick,
GMC, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Holden under its banner (General Motors, n.d.-b, n.d.-c). Barra
has been with the company since she was 18 and is the first woman to lead this global giant
(Fessler, 2018a). In her 38-year-long career at GM, she has held several crucial positions and has
made some significant contributions to the company (General Motors, n.d.-a).
Analysis of Leadership Styles and Characteristics
The behaviors that leaders exhibit and how they conduct themselves indicate their
leadership style. I have analyzed Barra’s leadership styles and characteristics along with my own
to evaluate effective leadership practices.
Leadership Styles and Characteristics of Barra
Barra is an adaptable leader who modifies her style of leadership according to a situation.
In 2009, she was the senior vice president of global human resources at GM. During this stint,
she reduced GM’s 10-page dress code to two words: Dress appropriately (Fessler, 2018b).
Barra’s decision to trust her employees’ judgment and allow them to decide for themselves is an
excellent example of the delegating style of leadership. However, Barra received criticism from
several managers. One manager expressed that his team members had started wearing jeans,
which was inappropriate for important meetings. Barra advised him to brainstorm with his team
on the issue in question. After some time, the manager informed Barra that his team had agreed
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 3
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that they would keep a pair of dress pants for important impromptu meetings and wear jeans
otherwise (Feloni, 2015). This instance is a good example of coaching leadership, a high
directive and high supportive style. In this style of leadership, the leader shares reasons for his or
her decisions and offers guidance that could be useful to employees for completing a task (Office
of Human Resource Services, University of Florida, n.d.).
Barra is an inclusive and collaborative leader. She believes in constructively discussing
tough decisions to ensure evaluation from every angle. However, in the absence of complete
unanimity, she does not hesitate to make the final decision (Engelmeier, 2014). In 2014, GM
faced a federal investigation for fatal accidents caused by faulty ignition switch of the company’s
Chevrolet Cobalt cars. Barra, who had then taken charge as CEO only a few days ago, addressed
the families of the victims with honesty, unlike her predecessors, who evaded controversy. She
accepted responsibility for the disaster, issued an apology, and took prompt corrective measures.
She told her employees that the debacle was not just another business crisis, and it should not be
forgotten (Rushe, 2014).
My Leadership Style and Characteristics
I am the head of marketing at a medium-size manufacturing company that has an
aggressive business model. I believe in being an adaptable leader because different situations call
for different approaches. I am directive toward trainees because they are unfamiliar with the
company’s functioning. For senior managers, I use the delegating style of leadership because
they are willing to perform their tasks and are capable of completing them. In the same way as
Barra, I believe in making my team members feel heard, and I approach them according to their
abilities and needs.
Comment [A1]: I really enjoyed the background information you provided on Barra, including the sources for support. Consider, instead of the extensive amount of examples and paraphrased works, some original writing that speaks to your opinion of her leadership. Which characteristics/styles does Barra have that make her a model leader? The idea here is to speak to those, and evaluate them to determine which ones make her an effective leader.
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 4
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According to Hersey and Blanchard, every situation warrants a response from leaders.
Effective leaders should be able to adopt an approach according to situational needs based on
their members’ requirements, abilities, and willingness (as cited in Wright, 2017). As Barra and I
display adaptability to different situations, our leadership styles are effective.
Honesty, integrity, compassion, and collaboration are some of the traits commonly
associated with effective leaders. I believe that honesty and integrity are two qualities a leader
should never compromise on. Regardless of how rewarding an opportunity is for me, if it does
not serve the greater good of my team and the organization, I will not pursue it. I identify with
Barra because she has been an honest leader even in times of crisis.
According to research conducted by Kouzes and Posner (2017), leaders who spend a lot
of time and energy developing cooperative relationships with their team members are viewed by
the members as highly effective. I want to be an effective collaborative leader in the future
because collaboration helps in achieving and sustaining high performance.
Factors Affecting Leadership Styles
A global automaker such as GM is exposed to threats and opportunities from
environmental and social factors such as politics, innovation, and technology. These factors are
crucial to consider when forming a leadership style.
Politics
Government regulations, tax policies, and general changes in the domestic and global
political climate can affect any business. If the American government introduces environment-
friendly auto policies such as restricting car ownership and incentivizing the use of public
transport, then the auto industry might be affected. GM may have to focus more on producing
Comment [A2]: I like that you are drawing comparisons between yourself and Barra.
Comment [A3]: You listed honesty, integrity, compassion, and collaboration in the prior paragraph, and you stated that you identify with Barra because she is an honest leader. Does that mean that you need to continue to develop integrity, compassion, and collaboration?
Comment [A4]: I like that you are current with your social factors. Way to go.
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 5
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electric cars or promote its car-sharing service, Maven. Additionally, GM would have to find
new markets to sell its existing line of traditional fuel vehicles.
Technology
In today’s digital age, it is vital for organizations to keep abreast of the latest trends and
innovations to stay one step ahead of their competitors (Smith, 2018). According to an analysis
by Reuters, the electric car market will see an investment of at least $90 billion from car
manufacturers across the globe (Lienert, 2018). Barra promised her investors that by 2021, GM
would make profits selling electric cars (Lienert & White, 2018). The company should focus on
achieving this target and invest further in its self-driving unit, GM Cruise, to find a footing in the
electric vehicle market.
As a leader, I would have to ensure that my team’s goals are aligned with those of the
current corporate strategy. My overall leadership at my current organization leans toward the
delegating style, wherein I delegate day-to-day responsibilities to the senior managers in the
department, who coach team members on completing tasks. My leadership style is bound to
change if the corporate strategy at GM changes due to any of the discussed external influences. I
will have to adopt the coaching style of leadership to explain the reasons for the change in
corporate strategy and to help the team cope with the change. Additionally, I will also have to
guide the senior employees in transforming existing marketing strategies to suit the business’s
requirements.
Economic Conditions and Leadership Style
Businesses will have to modify their corporate strategy to cope with change due to the
economy. In a strong economy, customers’ confidence is high, and so is their disposable income
(McQuerrey, 2018). As this is a good time to focus on growth and expansion, I will delegate day-
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 6
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to-day responsibilities to my managers and supervise the overall progress of the work. Customers
spend cautiously during economic decline because of the lack of job security (McQuerrey,
2018). This scenario can affect revenue growth and employee morale. Therefore, I will use the
supporting leadership style during an economic downturn. I will listen to my employees’
concerns and motivate them to achieve their goals.
Conclusion
Leadership style is an extension of the behavior displayed by leaders toward their
followers, customers, and other stakeholders in the business. A leader can choose a style
according to situational requirements. Barra is a textbook example of honesty and sincerity, and
these two qualities make her one of the best leaders in the world. Her leadership styles and
characteristics make her leadership practice effective.
Comment [A5]: Perfect application of this unit’s learning.
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 7
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References
Engelmeier, S. (2014). Did Mary Barra’s inclusive leadership style propel her to the top?
IndustryWeek. Retrieved from http://industryweek.com/companies-amp-executives/did-
mary-barra-s-inclusive-leadership-style-propel-her-top
Feloni, R. (2015). GM CEO Mary Barra explains how shrinking the dress code to 2 words
reflects her mission for the company. Business Insider. Retrieved from
https://businessinsider.in/GM-CEO-Mary-Barra-explains-how-shrinking-the-dress-code-
to-2-words-reflects-her-mission-for-the-company/articleshow/46720675.cms
Fessler, L. (2018a). GM CEO Mary Barra says too many women quit their jobs for the wrong
reason. Retrieved from https://work.qz.com/1175673/general-motors-ceo-mary-barra-on-
her-leadership-style-and-career/
Fessler, L. (2018b). GM’s dress code is only two words. Quartz. Retrieved from
https://work.qz.com/1242801/gms-dress-code-is-only-two-words/
Forbes. (2018). The world’s largest public companies. Retrieved from
https://forbes.com/companies/general-motors/
General Motors. (n.d.-a). Leadership. Retrieved July 3, 2018, from
https://www.gm.com/company/leadership/corporate-officers/mary-barra.html
General Motors. (n.d.-b). Our brands. Retrieved from https://www.gm.com/our-brands.html
General Motors. (n.d.-c). Our company. Retrieved from https://www.gm.com/company/about-
gm.html
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary
things happen in organizations. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-
com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/detail.action?docID=4836524#h
LEADERSHIP STYLES AND CHARACTERISTICS 8
Copyright ©2018 Capella University. Copy and distribution of this document are prohibited.
Lienert, P. (2018). Global carmakers to invest at least $90 billion in electric vehicles. Reuters.
Retrieved from https://in.reuters.com/article/autoshow-detroit-electric/global-carmakers-
to-invest-at-least-90-billion-in-electric-vehicles-idINKBN1F505K
Lienert, P., & White, J. (2018). Insight: GM races to build a formula for profitable electric cars.
Reuters. Retrieved from https://in.reuters.com/article/gm-electric/insight-gm-races-to-
build-a-formula-for-profitable-electric-cars-idINKBN1EY0GI
McQuerrey, L. (2018). The economy’s effects on small businesses. Retrieved from
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/economys-effects-small-businesses-10269.html
Office of Human Resource Services, University of Florida. (n.d.). Maximize your leadership
potential. Retrieved from
http://training.hr.ufl.edu/resources/LeadershipToolkit/job_aids/BecominganAdaptableLea
der.pdf
Rushe, D. (2014). GM chief Mary Barra: ‘Pattern of incompetence’ caused fatal recall delay. The
Guardian. Retrieved from https://theguardian.com/business/2014/jun/05/gm-mary-barra-
fatal-recall-incompetence-neglect
Smith, A. (2018). How business environmental factors influence strategy. Retrieved from
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/business-environmental-factors-influence-strategy-
65009.html
Wright, E. S. (2017). Dialogic development in the situational leadership style. Performance
Improvement, 56(9), 27–31. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary-wiley-
com.library.capella.edu/doi/epdf/10.1002/pfi.21733
you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:
- Competency 1: Evaluate the purpose and relevance of leadership.
- Analyze leadership styles and characteristics to determine effective leadership.
- Compare individual leadership styles and characteristics to identify what is necessary for effective leadership.
- Competency 2: Evaluate how leadership strengths apply in the workplace and within the community.
- Analyze the environmental and societal factors that influence leadership style.
- Analyze the economic conditions that influence leadership style
Required Resources
The following resources are required to complete the assessment.
Capella Multimedia
- Click Leadership Styles and Characteristics to view this document, which presents the qualities that are commonly associated with effective leadership.
Suggested Resources
The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The BUS-FP3012 – Fundamentals of Leadership Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.
Capella University Library Resources
- Boehm, A., & Staples, L. (2005). Grassroots leadership in task-oriented groups: Learning from successful leaders. Social Work With Groups, 28(2), 77–96.
- Ngwa, C. M. (2012). Impact of strategic leadership styles on organizational success in public, private, and nonprofit organizations (Master’s thesis). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses database. (UMI No. 1514891)
- Matzler, K., Schwarz, E., Deutinger, N., & Harms, R. (2008). The relationship between transformational leadership, product innovation and performance in SMEs. Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, 21(2), 139–151, 251.
Bookstore Resources
These resources are available from the Capella University Bookstore:
- Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (6th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
- Chapter 7, “Search for Opportunities.”
- Chapter 8, “Experiment and Take Risks.”
- Chapter 9, “Foster Collaboration.”
- Chapter 7, “Search for Opportunities.”
- Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
- “Part Three: Understanding Why People Follow.”
- “Conclusion.”
For this assessment, consider that you recently applied, and were selected, for a promotion to an executive level position in your organization. The organization’s HR department conducts management training sessions periodically as needed for employees recently promoted into senior manager or executive level positions. The organization’s HR team places a high value on leadership skills and emphasizes that as part of the management training sessions. You and other new senior managers are scheduled to attend one of those training sessions. In preparation, each attendee was asked to analyze and write a short paper about leadership styles and characteristics of effective leaders. During the management training session, the papers written by participants will be distributed and reviewed.
Preparation
To complete this assessment:
- Review the Leadership Styles and Characteristics multimedia piece linked in the Resources.
- Select a leader you admire from a for-profit or nonprofit organization you know well. This should be an organization you have a positive perception of, such as an organization for which you might someday aspire to be a leader. Examine and reflect on your chosen leader’s leadership styles and characteristics as defined in the multimedia piece.
Requirements
Analyze the leadership styles and characteristics of effective leaders. In your analysis, address the following:
- Briefly describe the organization of the leader you selected and the type of products or service it provides. You should briefly include additional key organizational information, such as size, years in operation, location, and reputation.
- Evaluate the leadership styles and characteristics of the leader whom you admire. In your evaluation, explain how these leadership styles and characteristics can determine effective leadership.
- Compare and evaluate your own leadership styles and characteristics to those of the leader you admire, and identify what is necessary for effective leadership.
- Evaluate how environmental and societal factors such as politics and innovation might influence your approach to leadership at this organization. How might these and other factors affect the way you lead? Would there be differences in your leadership style if this were a different type of organization?
- Evaluate how economic conditions might influence your leadership style. Would your leadership style change during the time of a strong economy? Would your leadership style change during the time of a declining economy? Would your leadership style change if you were leading an organization through different maturation phases (including start-up, growth, and establishment)?
Given the intended audience for your paper, it should be well organized and written in clear, succinct language. It should be approximately 3–5 pages in length. Follow APA rules for attributing sources that support your analysis and conclusions.
Academic Integrity and APA Formatting
As a reminder related to using APA rules to ensure academic honesty:
- When using a direct quote (using exact or nearly exact wording), you must enclose the quoted wording in quotation marks, immediately followed by an in-text citation. The source must then be listed in your references page.
- When paraphrasing (using your own words to describe a non-original idea), the paraphrased idea must be immediately followed by an in-text citation and the source must be listed in your references page
