Week 23

WEEK 23

In your own words and using referenced quotes describe what is meant by the term “strategic leadership”

A person or an individual of a firm who carries out the overall responsibility to carry out efficient and effective performances of labor and capital is known as the strategic leader. Strategic leadership refers to the capability of the leader to take overall decisions of the organization in order to deliver great value over specified period and also manage the people of the firm. Vision and shared values are the important factors that the strategic leader should have so that the employees could take the minor decisions on their own without monitoring and control of the leaders. This enables the leader to focus some more time on other activities of the firm. (Paul J.H. Schoemaker, Steve Krupp, and Samantha Howland, 2013)

Identify two interesting similarities and two differences between the 5 elements of Successful and Effective Strategic Leadership model and the Transcendent Leadership Model

5 elements of Successful and Effective Strategic Leadership Model are as follows:

1.      Developing and Communication the Organizational Purpose

2.      Managing Human Resources and Organizational Decision

3.      Setting Ethical Standards

4.      Defining and Delivering to the Stakeholders

5.      Sustaining Competitive Advantage Over Time

3 elements of Transcendent Leadership are as follows;

1.      Leadership of Self

2.      Leadership of Others

3.      Leadership of the Organization

 Two similarities of these models are:

Benefit to the stakeholder from both of the models as they are able to maintain both inside and outside relationship in the organization.

Both the models cope with the changes which happen in the organization and adapts according to the changing environment which helps the firm to gain competitive advantage.

Two differences of these models are:

Transcendent leadership model focuses on the goals, procedures, strategies, rules, etc. of the organization whereas the Lynch model focuses more on the human resources.

Transcendent leadership focuses on the leadership of the organization and self whereas lynch model focuses only on organization’s leadership.

CASE STUDY: JEFF BEZOS

I think that the leadership style of Jeff Bezos is more aligned to lynch model. I have mentioned some of the facts to support my thought:

Ø  In his interview with Harvard Business Review Mr.Bezos said that he gives interview so that customers will get chance to understand and know more about them, their operations and purposes. In this way they develop and communicate their organizational purpose.

Ø  They keep their customers’ and employees’ choice as their main priority and hire people who understands the customers’ needs and preferences. In this way they manage human resource and organizational resources.

Ø  They have set ethical standards by not burdening their customers with higher prices though after the survey they know that they have to increase their price. They did meaningful things like Kindle, Amazon web services etc. They are also clear about how and what they advertise and do not cover up their shortcomings.

Ø  They believe to create a customer loyalty by satisfying them which automatically maximize the free cash flow over the long term. In this way they define and deliver their stakeholders.

Ø  They have sustained competitive advantage over time by doing best for their customer and securing in a position for a long run.

Hence, all the above mentioned points clearly prove that he has demonstrated all the characteristics of Lynch Model but he has not demonstrated transcendent model as they are more focused on human resource than leadership for others, self and the organization.

References:
1. Paul J.H. Schoemaker, Steve Krupp, and Samantha Howland . (2013). Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills. Available: http://hbr.org/2013/01/strategic-leadership-the-esssential-skills/ar/1. Last accessed 18/12/2013.
2. Beatty, K. (2010). The Three Strengths Of A True Strategic Leader.Available: http://www.forbes.com/2010/10/27/three-strengths-strategy-leadership-managing-ccl.html. Last accessed 18/12/2013

3. Tearle, R. (2011). Characteristics of effective leaders. Available: http://www.changedesigns.net/public/team/team_strategy/Strategic-leadership.html. Last accessed 18/12/ 2013.

4. Management study. (2013). Strategic Leadership - Definition and Qualities of a Strategic Leader. Available: http://www.managementstudyguide.com/strategic-leadership.htm. Last accessed 18/12/2013.

5. Callegarin, M. (2010). THE ART OF TRANSCENDENT LEADERSHIP.Available: http://www.effective-actions.com/the-art-of-transcendent-leadership/. Last accessed 18/12/2013.