EMPOWERMENT OR LEADERSHIP 1
Discussion Thread - Empowerment or Leadership
School of Business, Liberty University
Author Note
EMPOWERMENT OR LEADERSHIP 2
Step 1: Define the problem
In certain situations, we often mistake having an aggressive style of leadership to
establish dominance in order to earn respect. However, that is not an adequate style of leadership
or a correct way of guiding others towards success. According to the textbook, leadership is a
methodological technique in which a respective individual positively impacts a gathering of
people to accomplish a shared objective (Kinicki, 2021). After reading the article, it was
interesting to read that Elon Musk does not have the characteristics of a leader. The article
explained that Elon Musk allowed his ambition and ego to overtake his judgment when told that
something could not be done. Allowing his judgment to overtake his decision, he over-worked
his employees both physically and mentally. There is no doubt that Elon Musk is a well-educated
and brilliant individual, but his lack of leadership experience and managerial skills are alarming
when it comes to his employees. As a manager, it is essential to guide others in a way that
provides empowerment in their employment (Palanski et al., 2021). Occasionally being hands-
off and entrusting your workers can develop the best outcomes. According to the article, due to
his methods, production was delayed and caused uncertainties (Kinicki, 2021). Senior leadership
does not always convey their rank because they are incapable of doing the job. Elon Musk must
depend on those individuals who earned those positions to make adequate and rational
determinations that are most suitable for the organization.
Step 2: Identify Causes of the Problem
After carefully reading the article, there are signs that Elon Musk has traits of having a
micro-managing leadership style (Kinicki, 2021). However, his overconfidence and listening to
what others have to say affects his decisions in certain situations, which can be seen as
impulsive. When micromanagement exists, managers tend to overlook every employee and how
EMPOWERMENT OR LEADERSHIP 3
they perform constantly. As a result, it may cause a sense of nervousness towards employees
having an authoritative figure in their work environment, causing delays or mistakes (Aguilar &
Kosheleva, 2021). From an outside perspective, Elon Musk sees himself as the most brilliant
person in his surroundings. This sense of overconfidence would not allow him to receive any
feedback or be open to the ideas and opinions of others and being willing to execute such views
should not be dismissed. Followers desire managerial leaders with proper organizational
behavior to drive them to feel what they do is essential and significant (Kinicki, 2021).
Step 3: Recommendations for Solving the Problem
A recommendation for Elon Musk to be a successful leader is not to allow our ego to
overpower our way of making decisions. So often, we let ourselves be crowded with feedback
from outside resources, and we do not reflect if these statements are reasonable or if they come
from credible sources. "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to
the measure of faith that God has assigned" (English Standard Version, 2001/2016). Additionally,
by applying this scripture, he requires to put confidence in his employees and permit them to
support him and let other ideas to be viewed.
EMPOWERMENT OR LEADERSHIP 4
References
Aguilar, S. R., & Kosheleva, O. (2021). What is wrong with micromanagement: Economic view.
Asian Journal of Economics and Banking, 5(3), 284-288. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJEB-
05-2021-0057
Kinicki, A. (2021). Organizational behavior: A practical, problem-solving approach plus 3rd ed.
Connect. McGraw-Hill Education.
Palanski, M. E., Thomas, J. S., Hammond, M. M., Lester, G. V., & Clapp-Smith, R. (2021).
Being a leader and doing leadership: The cross-domain impact of family and friends on leader
identity and leader behaviors at work. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 28(3),
273-286. https://doi.org/10.1177/15480518211005452
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Retrieved from:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans+12%3A3&version=ESV
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