Week 5 - Final Paper: The Search For Leadership
Week 5 - Final Paper The Search for Leadership You are the Ceo of a Majo
The assignment requires you to assume the role of the CEO of a major global consumer technology corporation, which has recently appointed a new president after the retirement of the previous leader who served for 25 years. You are tasked with explaining to the board of directors the criteria for selecting this new president. This includes discussing the nature of leadership, essential traits for effective leadership, and the leadership style and skills necessary for the role.
Further, your paper must analyze the importance of balancing task orientation with relationship-building, emphasizing how a leader communicates and follows a vision to set organizational tone. It should examine the leader's ability to manage relationships with both in-group and out-group members, handle conflicts, and overcome obstacles. Ethical leadership qualities vital for the position should also be justified.
The paper must be five to six double-spaced pages, adhere to APA formatting, and include a title page, an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement, a well-developed body addressing all aspects of leadership criteria, and a concluding paragraph reaffirming the thesis. You must cite at least five scholarly sources, including two from the Ashford University Library, and all references should be formatted according to APA style.
Paper For Above instruction
In the contemporary business environment, effective leadership is integral to organizational success, especially in a global consumer technology corporation where innovation, collaboration, and ethical standards are paramount. As the CEO tasked with selecting a new president, it is essential to identify leadership traits and styles that will steer the company toward sustainable growth and competitive advantage. This paper explores the core aspects of leadership necessary for this prominent role, including traits, styles, task and relationship management, vision articulation, conflict handling, and ethical principles.
Understanding Leadership and Essential Traits
Leadership is the ability to influence others toward common goals, embodying qualities such as integrity, resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence (Northouse, 2018). An effective leader demonstrates vision, decisiveness, and the capacity to inspire trust. Traits like openness to innovation, strategic thinking, empathy, and ethical integrity are crucial for a leader in the technology sector, where rapid change and ethical considerations intertwine (Yukl, 2019). The proposed president should exemplify these traits to foster a culture of innovation while maintaining organizational integrity.
Leadership Style and Skills for the Role
The leadership style suitable for a global, technology-driven organization leans toward transformational leadership, which promotes motivation, innovation, and organizational change (Bass & Riggio, 2006). Transformational leaders inspire followers through a shared vision, encourage intellectual stimulation, and serve as ethical role models. The skills required include strategic visioning, effective communication, decision-making under uncertainty, and emotional intelligence to manage diverse teams across different regions (Goleman, 2000). These competencies enable a leader to adapt to the dynamic tech landscape and foster a collaborative organizational culture.
Task and Relationship Orientation
Balancing task achievement with relationship building is essential. A leader must set clear goals, monitor progress, and maintain high performance standards (Kouzes & Posner, 2017). Equally important is attending to relationships, building trust, and motivating employees. By emphasizing both dimensions, leaders can enhance organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and change resilience (Lencioni, 2002). The prospective president must be capable of prioritizing tasks without neglecting the human element, thus ensuring a motivated and aligned workforce.
Vision Communication and Organizational Tone
A leader must articulate a compelling vision, aligning organizational objectives with core values, and communicate this effectively to inspire stakeholders (Sashkin & Sashkin, 2003). Setting the tone involves exemplifying organizational values, promoting a culture of innovation, equity, and responsibility. Transparent communication of vision and values helps foster organizational cohesion and motivates employees to pursue collective goals (Kotter, 2012).
Handling Out-group Relationships, Conflict, and Obstacles
An effective leader recognizes the importance of managing out-group members by including them in decision-making processes, thus fostering organizational cohesion (Miller & Miller, 2017). Conflict management skills, such as negotiation, active listening, and empathy, are vital in resolving disputes constructively. Overcoming obstacles requires resilience, strategic problem-solving, and the ability to adapt initiatives to changing circumstances (Heifetz & Linsky, 2002). The new president must demonstrate these skills to maintain organizational stability amid global challenges.
Ethical Leadership Traits
Ethical leadership encompasses integrity, accountability, fairness, and respect for others (Brown & Treviño, 2006). In the tech industry, ethical considerations extend to data privacy, intellectual property, and social responsibility. The president should exemplify transparency, promote ethical decision-making, and uphold corporate social responsibility standards. These traits build trust with stakeholders and mitigate risks associated with ethical breaches, ultimately supporting long-term organizational sustainability (Resick & Netemeyer, 2011).
In conclusion, selecting the right leader for a global consumer technology company involves evaluating personality traits, leadership styles, interpersonal skills, vision articulation, conflict management, and ethical standards. The ideal candidate should embody transformational qualities, demonstrate strategic and ethical leadership, and excel at managing both tasks and relationships. By focusing on these criteria, the organization can ensure continuity of innovative growth and uphold its reputation for integrity and excellence in the competitive global market.
References
- Bass, B.M., & Riggio, R.E. (2006). Transformational leadership (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
- Brown, M.E., & Treviño, L.K. (2006). Ethical leadership: A review and future directions. The Leadership Quarterly, 17(6), 595-616.
- Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.
- Heifetz, R., & Linsky, M. (2002). Leadership on the line: Staying alive through the dangers of change. Harvard Business School Press.
- Kotter, J.P. (2012). Leading change. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Kouzes, J.M., & Posner, B.Z. (2017). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
- Lencioni, P. (2002). The five dysfunctions of a team: A leadership fable. Jossey-Bass.
- Miller, G., & Miller, R. (2017). Managing organizational conflict: Strategies for success. Routledge.
- Northouse, P.G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Yukl, G. (2019). Leadership in organizations (9th ed.). Pearson.