Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.
— Oscar Wilde.
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Contemporary Leadership Styles: How relevant are they in today’s changing world?
Defining the Manager and Leader:
“success as a manager or administrator in modern organisations also involves leading. How to integrate the two processes has emerged as a complex and important issue…” Yukl (2010:26)
“It is one thing for a leader to propound a grand vision, but this is redundant unless the vision is managed so it becomes real achievement.”Dearlove (2001:538)
Leadership need to be developed in the future :
According to Paul Hersey and Ken Blanchard(1969),Situational Leadership should be used more of today’s management to deal with the various kinds of issues that existed during the business and everyday life of the organization (Hersey and Blanchard 1969).
- Leaders should constantly adjust their management styles to match environmental needs
- The leader needs only a clear evaluation of the situation and chooses the correct hat to direct his followers
- Under the same leadership different followers find a common target
Situation leadership has been famous in China, for example, Alibaba is one of the largest e-commerce firms in the world that uses situation leadership in different divisions to empower and encourage workers.
House identifies four main types of leadership behavior(Coventry University London – Moodle: Log in to the site, 2020):
Directive leadership – letting subordinates know exactly what is expected of them and giving specific directions. Subordinates are expected to follow rules and regulations. This type of behavior is similar to ‘initiating structure’ in the Ohio State Leadership Studies.
Supportive leadership – having a friendly and approachable manner and displaying concern for the needs and welfare of subordinates. This type of behavior is similar to ‘consideration’ in the Ohio State Leadership Studies.
Participative leadership – consulting with subordinates and the evaluation of their opinions and suggestions before the manager makes the decision.
Achievement-oriented leadership – setting challenging goals for subordinates, seeking improvement in their performance and showing confidence in subordinates’ ability to perform well. (Coventry University London – Moodle: Log in to the site, 2020)
How the Coronavirus Crisis will affect the leadership styles?
A crisis is described as a time that it takes to make tough or significant choices. The leaders also don’t see a crisis approaching and aren’t ready. The coronavirus crisis is happening now, but the last challenge we face is certainly not going to be this.
10 Ways leaders can rise to the challenge (10 Steps to Effective Coronavirus Crisis Leadership, 2020):
1.Align expectations In a crisis, you will not have all the answers but rationally.
2. All eyes are on you Leaders often forget that all eyes are on them. This is especially true as the intensity of a situation grows.
3. Stay positive “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.” — John Maxwell
4. Tell the truth Communication is your kryptonite. Crisis often includes misinformation that leads to confusion.
5. Know what you stand for When someone asks what you as a leader stand for–what do you say? What is your purpose, mission and values? Every action should reflect this motivates and inspires teams for action. You, as a leader, are a brand. Don’t miss an opportunity to lead and build your brand equity in a crisis.
6. Demonstrate empathy Listen to understand. Show people that you genuinely care by relating to their perspective.
7. See the big pictureLeaders can see the big picture and visualize the potential impact long before others do.
8. Slow down and stay calmKeep calm and carry on! People need to feel safe and secure.
9. Have a plan“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” –Theodore M. Hesburgh
10. Simply lead Leaders simply lead. They work from within themselves, with the courage, emotional intelligence and integrity to navigate the crisis around them.
People do not always fulfill their needs, particularly higher-level needs, only by work There is uncertainty about the time that elapses between satisfying lower-level needs and the appearance of higher-level needs Many incentives or results that fulfill more than one need,But workers are only looking for physiological and health in this situation.
5 Things Leaders Must Know If Everyone Gets Sent Home To Work By COVID-19:
There’s plenty of doubt, tension and terror about the latest Coronavirus epidemic. Yet, the confusion is not just about how the pandemic will affect our health yet economies. The truth is, there have been many leaders posing new challenges — like how to guide people through difficult times, and how to keep them committed, such as(Nordstrom, 2020):
- We’re humans before we’re employees: Pandemic is terrifying. So while the initial reaction to sending the staff home to work could be, “I’m going to track my team and make sure they’re working while I want them to work,” it’s time to step back and remember that we’re all in a peculiar position.
- Distractions are not defining moments: It is important to realize as a leader that not all workers are going to respond equally to working from home. Some would have more distractions than most.
- eadlines still exist. Or, do they? And, for what?: We all work in rising industries. At the moment some sectors are struggling while some are booming.
- Business hours are only for meetings: During normal operating hours any of the staff become overwhelmed. Lets confuse them. Let them establish their own timetable for their job.
- Your team will surprise you, if this one condition: You want to get the employees to work. They like to feel vulnerable. They want profitability. But they do want to feel valued for their efforts, and respected for the other aspects of their lives that are feeling pretty frightening right now — their children at home, their own health and safety, and the elderly members of their families who pose the greatest danger.
Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., & Johnson, D. E. (1969). Management of organizational behavior (p. 65). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. and Johnson, D., 2017. Management Of Organizational Behavior. New Delhi: Pearson India Education Services.
Inc.com. 2020. 10 Steps To Effective Coronavirus Crisis Leadership. [online] Available at: <https://www.inc.com/entrepreneurs-organization/10-steps-to-effective-coronavirus-crisis-leadership.html> [Accessed 23 March 2020].
Culcmoodle.coventry.ac.uk. 2020. Coventry University London – Moodle: Log In To The Site. [online] Available at: <https://culcmoodle.coventry.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/515842/mod_resource/content/1/trade_profiles18_e.pdf> [Accessed 4 April 2020].
Culcmoodle.coventry.ac.uk. 2020. Coventry University London – Moodle: Log In To The Site. [online] Available at: <https://culcmoodle.coventry.ac.uk/pluginfile.php/515842/mod_resource/content/1/trade_profiles18_e.pdf> [Accessed 4 April 2020].
Nordstrom, T., 2020. 5 Things Leaders Must Know If Everyone Gets Sent Home To Work By COVID-19. [online] Forbes. Available at: <https://www.forbes.com/sites/toddnordstrom/2020/03/19/5-things-leaders-must-know-if-everyone-gets-sent-home-to-work-by-covid-19/#636eaf5041a4> [Accessed 8 April 2020].
How can Ford Culture sustain against This Changing World
What to Expect from this Blog :
- Identify the Organizational Culture
- Identify how could the change effect on the Organization and how its going to change.
Introduction to Ford Organization :
Ford Motor Company, commonly known as Ford, is a global American automaker with headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, a Detroit suburb. It was created and incorporated by Henry Ford on 16 June 1903.
Organizational culture :
The assumptions, beliefs, values and norms that drive ‘the way we do things around here’ (Egan, quoted in Mullins, 2016)
Ford Organizational Culture :
Organisational culture of Ford Ford is highly valued within the company. The only way they can accomplish their business leadership target is if they adhere to what their firm claims to be the company’s proper driving principles.
Ford vision and mission statement :
Higher up and further in the declarations of Ford’s vision and mission are the driving force of the company culture. Their statement of dream is: “people working together as a lean, global enterprise for automotive leadership.” (panmore.com, vision and mission statement)
The problem :
Ford is also known as an organization with the names of muscle cars and tough cars in every customer brain these names were. The main idea of these names that have an enormous fuel engine. Changing such ideas from the customer’s point of view to electric engines is very difficult, and Ford needs a lot of effort to change, and one of the first things that should change is the organization culture through modifying their values and their way of working, and in this changing environment they have to maintain that which is not easy for Ford to do. While businesses go green, Ford should change its DNA by creating electric cars
How Ford Culture will sustain through the changing world :
Ford culture is one of the biggest and strongest cultures in the industry, on the one hand the world is changing very rapidly so that Ford has to adapt with this changing world. That’s mean Ford had to shift the DNA of producing gas-powered cars to electric-powered. they have changed their culture from position culture to job culture to ensure that they met customer expectations .One of the examples Ford Mustang used to come with 5.0cc 8 cylinders large-capacity petrol engine, this type of engine takes a huge amount of fuel, but most buyers were fascinated with this engine. The customers were surprised after they revealed the electric Mustang.
Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
“If you wanted to be green you had to give up performance, and if you wanted to be fast you had to give up being green. That doesn’t have to happen anymore,” said Ford Chairman Bill Ford Jr.(NBCNEWS,Onlinewebsite)
Practically every Ford product is provided with some sort of electrified alternative, each tailored to the specific needs of the purchasers of that vehicle that’s also what Ford Chairman Bill Ford Jr , that’s mean that there are a huge change in there culture to sustain and adapt in the market needs.
Ford values in Relation to Deal & Kennedy’s Strong culture: Image.slidesharecdn.com. (2020). [online] Available at: https://image.slidesharecdn.com/fordrepresentingcultureandethicsintheautomobileindustry-170330125225/95/ford-representing-culture-in-the-automobile-industry-11-638.jpg?cb=1490878358 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
1) Ford values working together on teams
Working in groups helps the company to organise everything and build confidence between employees to create a good working environment.
2) Ford values achieving effective results in a timely manner
Achieving productivity is one of the most important things for any organisation because that means that there is no waste of resources, and getting the results on time gives the company a great opportunity to take advantage of it.
3)Ford values workers being a role model for other employees
“One Team on a Mission. A Vision. One Goal.” Ford is on a mission to become the world’s leading automotive industry with “One Ford” (panmore.com, mission statement). That is part and parcel of their society.
4)Ford values functional and technological excellence
Technology is an advantage in the company, and using it correctly helps the company to achieve competitive advantages, especially in this sector, such as new technology in the production line.
Iceberg Theory :
This model is a depiction of a complex system. Using the iceberg metaphor to explain that perceptions are profoundly influenced by forces that they can not easily see: the frameworks that form the context within which they function, and the assumptions that they hold about how things work in there case, it shows it the direct costs that Ford company have and everyone can see it , but on the other hand its show us the indirect costs that the Company have which we can link it to the main reason which is the organizational culture such as the Facility changes and the main reason which is sustain in this changing world.( Anon,13,feb,2020,online available)
The 4V Model of Branson’s Ethical Leadership:
Values : carry individual ideas
vision : the ability to frame ones actions in the service of others .
Voice :process of articulating te vision with authenticity to motivate action in others .
Virtue: understanding that we became what we practice .
Sustainability is the main reason that the company need to change :
The sustainability report outlines year-over-year progress and priorities around the company’s work in the areas of improving safety and fuel economy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the company’s global strategy for electrification Outstanding fuel economy and rising greenhouse gas emissions from our products: these are key goals that are a core part of there business. long-term conservation and enhancement of natural, social, and financial capital .They created ‘ Blueprint for Sustainability’ to identify such activities and integrate many other programs. This Strategy encapsulates there overall sustainability approach, reflecting the fact that sustainability
Sustainability is a core part of Ford’s business strategy, as well as being the right thing to do. We are building foundations with smart and sustainable manufacturing technologies and an exciting selection of technologically advanced, fuel-efficient vehicles that will ensure our long-term success in Europe. (Anon, (202)Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/ [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020]).
Advantages and disadvantages :
Benefits and Disadvantages Overall, the company culture of Ford is very helpful in working towards its goals. All facets of their society must however be closely monitored. · The benefit of the organisational culture of Ford is the immense amount of cooperation . Company changed from what it was before this newer cultural impact. One downside is that Ford never addresses the versatility idea. When versatility were applied it would bring in improved problem-solving processes. There would also be more open-mindedness within the organization .
Solutions :
In order to better a company’s culture, an open mind must be kept. This is so that perhaps ideas from other more advanced cultures can find their way into your organization. If everyone was simply more accepting of other cultures besides their own, the business world would be a more relaxed place. This goes for the automobile industry and all other industries.
References
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
https://futureconsiderations.com/iceberg-model/
Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
https://www.ford.co.uk/experience-ford/sustainability Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/ford-s-electric-mustang-just-beginning-high-performance-battery-vehicles-n1085756
Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].http://Anon, (2020). [online] Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Direct-and-indirect-costs-of-poor-ergonomics-that-were-once-calculated-at-Ford-Motor_fig51_317984098 [Accessed 13 Feb. 2020].
Introduce Yourself (Example Post)
This is an example post, originally published as part of Blogging University. Enroll in one of our ten programs, and start your blog right.
You’re going to publish a post today. Don’t worry about how your blog looks. Don’t worry if you haven’t given it a name yet, or you’re feeling overwhelmed. Just click the “New Post” button, and tell us why you’re here.
Why do this?
- Because it gives new readers context. What are you about? Why should they read your blog?
- Because it will help you focus you own ideas about your blog and what you’d like to do with it.
The post can be short or long, a personal intro to your life or a bloggy mission statement, a manifesto for the future or a simple outline of your the types of things you hope to publish.
To help you get started, here are a few questions:
- Why are you blogging publicly, rather than keeping a personal journal?
- What topics do you think you’ll write about?
- Who would you love to connect with via your blog?
- If you blog successfully throughout the next year, what would you hope to have accomplished?
You’re not locked into any of this; one of the wonderful things about blogs is how they constantly evolve as we learn, grow, and interact with one another — but it’s good to know where and why you started, and articulating your goals may just give you a few other post ideas.
Can’t think how to get started? Just write the first thing that pops into your head. Anne Lamott, author of a book on writing we love, says that you need to give yourself permission to write a “crappy first draft”. Anne makes a great point — just start writing, and worry about editing it later.
When you’re ready to publish, give your post three to five tags that describe your blog’s focus — writing, photography, fiction, parenting, food, cars, movies, sports, whatever. These tags will help others who care about your topics find you in the Reader. Make sure one of the tags is “zerotohero,” so other new bloggers can find you, too.
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