Assignment 1

A leader does not necessarily have one leadership style.  However, leadership styles can be defined by the situation, job, the organization, or the make-up of the employees who are being led.  A successful leader is one that recognizes what style fits best. Developing this skill will enable the leader to create followers in the workplace.  The more followers a leader has, the more influence they can exert in accomplishing the goals of the organization.  Interestingly, the committed employees are to the leader, the more likely the leader can create change within the organization.  

Workplace change often fails because leaders who seek change do not have a strong commitment from the employees.  Leadership style is crucial to this process.  Sound use of leadership styles can increase the influence needed to build a culture that favors change.  

At GDD, the need for change is crucial to maintain fiscal sustainability.  GDD’s competitive edge is dwindling and innovation is the only way out of the dilemma.  GDD’s leaders must look for opportunities and people who can meet this challenge.

Rockfish Opening Remarks

One of the jobs of the leader, no matter at what level in the organization, is to create and sustain competitive edge. It does not matter whether you are the owner, CEO or team leader.  The purpose of a leader remains the same - accomplishing the sustainable organization.  Clawson (2009) explained that there are three ways a leader accomplishes this end goal; by being a strategic thinkers, relationship builder, and a change agent.  To complete these tasks and lead the organization or group, an individual must understand the nature of the tasks as well as possess the skills necessary to complete them. 

In the weeks to come, we will examine the job tasks and skills necessary to lead a successful vision.  The way a leader sets the direction, implements plans and motivates people to accomplish a task is known as a leadership style.

In week one, we learned that a leader must define leadership both personally and within the context of the organization.  A successful leader should adopt a leadership style that fits their definition and the organization’s definition of leader.  The choice of leadership style should enhance the point of view of the leader, the culture of the organization as well as the job and situation at hand.

The following notable leadership styles will be examined this week:

Many of the leadership styles have emerged from the theories that we discussed in week one.  Others have combined elements from different theories to create the characteristics, behaviors, attitude and values of the successful leader.  In reviewing the reading and preparing for our discussion this week, evaluate your leadership style as you know it now and see if it can be improved or developed to fit the GDD ideal of a “enhanced situational or transformational” leadership style.  A GDD leader is not just looking at situations, but they are looking at the people and organization as well.

Theme 1: Leadership style has a direct effect on employee commitment and organizational effectiveness.

Leadership styles like leadership theories have changed or expanded from the 20th to 21st century largely because of the shift in business landscape.  In the highly competitive business environment of the 21st century, leaders must quickly gain the commitment of workers to the company to implement rapid change and innovation.  Effective leaders should develop styles that relate to workers.  Trust, respect, ethical values and expertise are all characteristics that employees look for in a leader-follower relationship.  For an employee to appreciate these characteristics in a leader, the style or way the leader chooses to lead must be clearly manifested.  

As has been mentioned in the past weeks, workers will not commit to the organization’s vision without knowing that leadership, no matter at what level, respects and appreciates them as employees.  Transparency and consistency in a leadership style goes a long way to building a trusting follower. In reviewing the course readings and material for this theme be sure to look at the style, theory and the way people skills of the leader are encouraged.  Ask the question, how does this style encourage a strong leader-follower relationship?

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