Instructions By Lecturer On The Literature Review Talk

Instructions By Lecturer On The Literature Review1 Talk About Why Le

Discuss why leadership is important in organizations and understand different frameworks of leadership, such as authentic leadership, contingent leadership, and transformational leadership. Use scholarly journal articles to support your choice of leadership style, and relate these theories to a specific case study, such as the genocide in Rwanda, analyzing organizational factors, leaders’ roles, and contextual influences.

Conduct a literature review on various leadership frameworks relevant to understanding organizational failure and leadership in a post-colonial context. Incorporate academic sources and critically analyze how different leadership styles influence organizational outcomes, especially in challenging geopolitical and social environments. Your review should synthesize the literature, demonstrate critical thinking, and connect theory with real-world case studies.

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership is a fundamental element in the success and sustainability of organizations across all sectors. Its importance stems from its role in guiding, motivating, and influencing members towards achieving shared goals. Effective leadership fosters a positive organizational culture, promotes innovation, and enhances decision-making processes. Conversely, poor leadership can result in organizational failure, ethical lapses, and crises, especially in complex socio-political contexts. In understanding the significance of leadership, it is crucial to explore various theoretical frameworks that provide insights into how leaders operate within different organizational and societal settings. These frameworks assist in diagnosing organizational issues, designing interventions, and understanding the interplay between leaders and organizational environment, particularly in post-colonial and geopolitically sensitive contexts such as Rwanda.

Authentic Leadership

Authentic leadership emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, transparency, and staying true to one's values and principles. Scholars argue that authentic leaders foster trust, encourage ethical behavior, and promote organizational commitment (Walumbwa et al., 2008). In the case of Rwanda, authentic leadership is pertinent because it highlights the importance of moral integrity amidst crises. For example, if leaders in Rwanda during the genocide had embodied authentic leadership, they might have promoted ethical decision-making and prioritized human rights, potentially mitigating some of the violence (Avolio & Gardner, 2005). The theory supports the notion that leaders who are self-aware and true to their moral compass can positively influence organizational and societal resilience during turbulent times (Gardner et al., 2005). Empirical studies demonstrate that authentic leadership correlates with increased positive organizational outcomes, including ethical climate and employee well-being (Walumbwa et al., 2008).

Contingent Leadership

Contingent or situational leadership posits that the effectiveness of leadership styles depends on contextual factors and the readiness of followers (Fiedler, 1964). Leaders must adapt their behaviors to align with specific organizational circumstances and environmental pressures. In post-colonial Rwanda, contingent leadership highlights the importance of context-sensitive decision-making, particularly in managing ethnic tensions and international diplomatic relations. Fiedler’s Contingency Model suggests that no single leadership style is universally effective; instead, leaders must assess their environment and modify their tactics accordingly (Fiedler, 1974). During the Rwandan genocide, some leaders’ failure to adapt their approaches to the political and social climate contributed to organizational and national crises. Literature supports the view that flexible leadership approaches, responsive to contextual variables, are vital during periods of organizational or societal crisis (Hersey & Blanchard, 1969).

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership emphasizes inspiring followers through a shared vision, motivating them to transcend self-interest for the collective good (Bass, 1985). Transformational leaders foster innovation, challenge the status quo, and build commitment through intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. In the context of Rwanda, transformational leadership offers a lens to understand how visionary leaders could have potentially prevented or mitigated violence by promoting unity and reconciliation. The theory underscores the power of leadership that mobilizes societal values and collective identity in overcoming adversity (Burns, 1978). Empirical research indicates that transformational leadership positively correlates with organizational change, ethical conduct, and resilience in conflict zones (Avolio & Bass, 2004). A transformational approach could have influenced organizational and political leaders to prioritize peace-building and reconciliation efforts instead of division and violence.

Synthesizing Leadership Frameworks in the Case of Rwanda

Analyzing the genocide in Rwanda through the lens of these leadership frameworks reveals crucial insights. Authentic leadership could have fostered moral integrity, potentially restraining the genocidal violence. Contingent leadership underscores the importance of context-aware decision-making—highlighting how leaders failed to adapt to the socio-political climate. Transformational leadership’s emphasis on inspiring collective action and peace illustrates a missed opportunity for societal reconciliation and healing. These frameworks collectively demonstrate that leadership’s ethical dimension, contextual sensitivity, and visionary capacity are integral to organizational and national stability. Their application to Rwanda underscores that leadership in oppressive or crisis-prone environments must be both morally grounded and adaptable to complex social dynamics.

Conclusion

Effective leadership is vital for organizational success, especially in post-colonial, conflict-ridden contexts like Rwanda. Theories such as authentic, contingent, and transformational leadership provide valuable perspectives for understanding how leaders influence organizational and societal outcomes. Critical analysis of these frameworks reveals that combining moral integrity, contextual adaptability, and visionary inspiration is essential for preventing organizational failure and promoting resilience. Future leadership interventions in similar environments should integrate these approaches to foster ethical, adaptable, and visionary leadership capable of navigating complex geopolitical and social challenges.

References

• Avolio, B. J., & Gardner, W. L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 315-338.
• Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Fiedler, F. E. (1964). A contingency model of leadership effectiveness. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 1, 149-190.
• Fiedler, F. E. (1974). A contingency model of leadership effectiveness. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 10, pp. 59-112). Academic Press.
• Gardner, W. L., Cogliser, C. C., Davis, K. M., & Dickens, M. P. (2011). Authentic leadership: A review of the literature and research agenda. The Leadership Quarterly, 22(6), 1120-1145.
• Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1969). Life cycle theory of leadership. Training & Development Journal, 23(5), 26-34.
• Walumbwa, F. O., Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Wernsing, T. S., & Peterson, S. J. (2008). Authentic leadership: Development and validation of a theory-based measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89-126.
• McShane, S., Olekalns, M., & Travaglione, T. (2013). Organizational Behaviour: Emerging knowledge. McGraw-Hill.
• Scouller, J. (2011). The three levels of leadership: How to develop your leadership presence, knowhow and skill. Management Books.