Leadership: Making a stronger, positive impact on employees

Leadership: Making a stronger, positive impact on employees

Introduction

            Leaders play a major role in making a stronger, positive impact on employees. It is through their activities that employees are motivated to execute their roles and duties in the desired manner. Richard Branson is an example of leaders who have displayed great ability to lead their followers as desired (Bowerman & Wart, 2014).  This paper intends to examine Branson, his organization, leadership traits, style, and behavior. It will also provide recommendations on how he can improve on his leadership practices in the future.

Richard Branson

The Leader, the Organisation/ Industry, and Situation/Context

Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English investor and businessman. Branson is known for founding Virgin Group. He is ranked among the most influential leaders in the world. This is an individual who has been able to ensure that his organization achieves greatness and is able to serve its target customers in the desired manner. Branson is also famous for engaging in philanthropic activities (Bowerman & Wart, 2014). He has been on the forefront in dealing with different societal problems through his charity work and causes. Branson is a leader that is loved by his followers considering the strategies he employs to manage them. Generally, this is a leader who believes in his people. He is able to nurture as well as provide them with opportunities to advance in their career (Branson, 2014).

As mentioned above, Branson founded Virgin Australia, an airline formerly known as Virgin Blue Airlines. As the name suggests, this is a company that operates in the airline industry. Virgin Australia is ranked second among largest airlines in Australia. The airline has been able to achieve great success in the market. This can be attributed to its able leaders such as Branson who have are able to come up with strong competitive strategies to ensure the company stays ahead of its competitors at all times (Nicholas, 2009).

The airline just like any other company has been undergoing changes from time to time considering the ever-changing business environment. For instance, in 2008, the airline introduced premium economy class with an aim of improving the services rendered to its consumers (Maxwell, 2013). Normally, the process of change can be challenging to an organization. There is always the risk that the change may not come to pass or achieve its goals and objectives. Resistance is a major challenge associated with change management. Essentially, people have the tendency to resist change especially when they do not understand the impact it is likely to have on their life. Virgin Australia has also been experiencing similar problems when undergoing change. The fact that it has able leaders means that it is able to handle them in an effective manner. However, there is always room for improvement. Specifically, Branson as a leader can perform even better when managing change through the application of other strategies other than the ones he has been able to embrace (Branson, 2014).

Evaluation of the Leader

As discussed above, Virgin Australia has been undergoing change to improve its performances and its ability to serve its target customers in the desired manner. Branson has always ensured that change is handled in a smooth manner to ensure it achieves its goals and objectives. This is a leader who tries his level best to address some of the challenges that are associated with change management. For instance, he ensures that resistance is reduced to access the support needed to implement the change in question in the most effective and efficient way. He also gives his people the instructions, tools, and support they may require during the change process (Branson, 2014).

Leadership Style

Richard Branson is known for applying laissez-fare leadership style when managing change. This leadership styles entails leader delegating responsibilities to their followers to ensure the accomplishment of certain goals and objectives. Decision-making powers are handed to followers who determine the course of actions when handling different goals and duties. All a leader does is to provide general direction as well as the tools integral to the achievement of certain goals and objectives (Branson, 2014). Laissez-fare leaders work under the assumption that individuals are able to execute their roles and duties without being followed around or micromanaged as long as they provided with the tools to achieve the same. Branson has always believed that this is one way of empowering his followers to execute their duties as desired. Equally, he argues that employee empowerment goes a long in improving their level of motivation. Followers develop trust towards their leaders. As such, they are more than willing to follow their instructions. The fact that they are micromanaged also means that they can find innovative ways to handle their roles.

 Traits and Behaviors

            Branson has been able to display a number of leadership traits and behaviors. For one, this leader has displayed great people skills. He is able to get along with people with ease. Most people who have had the opportunity to interact with the leader are of the view that he can survive in any work environment (Bowerman & Wart, 2014). Branson always maintains a sense of humor even when things do not seem to be going as planned. The leader believes that people ought to enjoy what they do. It is only through having passion for work that one can be able to handle all the challenges that may be associated with their work environment. Branson is also always looking for ways to establish good relationships with his followers. This leads to the creation of a friendly work environment. Equally, this also enables him to handle resistance to change with ease (Branson, 2014).

Alike, Branson is renowned for great communication skills. He has been able to embrace two communications. Branson always insists on feedback. It is through feedback that one is able to learn on whether or not a message has been delivered and understood. Feedback also enables a leader to make clarification whenever necessary especially when a message has not been communicated as planned (Maxwell, 2013).

Branson is also a honest leader. He does not tolerate dishonest behavior among its people. As argued by Bowerman and Wart (2014), dishonest behavior can easily compromise on a leader’s ability to motivate his followers as desired. This can be attributed to the fact that people find it hard to trust deceitful leaders. As such, they may be unwilling to execute instructions provided by the leader. In the end, an organization’s ability to achieve high performances is compromised (Bowerman & Wart, 2014).

In the same regard, Branson can also be viewed as an innovative leader. This explains the reason as to why Virgin Australia is always looking for new ways to satisfy its target customers. In line with Branson and McLimore (2013), innovative leaders always challenge status quo. They also empower their followers to embrace innovation and strategic thinking. In particular, they always encourage their people to think out of the box when handling different issues. Branson has capitalized on innovation to address different challenges the airline has been facing. This is also the reason as to why the company undergoes changes from time to time.

Likewise, Branson has also proved that he is a leader who delegates duties to followers. According to Adair (2011), many leaders have the tendency to make decisions on their own without involving their people. This is a common behavior with leaders who embrace autocratic leadership style. On the contrary, laissez-fare leader delegate roles to their followers as they trust them. Delegation can be utilized to motivate employees. Essentially, employees derive great pleasure from the knowledge that their leaders trust them to the extent that they allow them to handle duties as they deem fit as well as take part in the decision making process.

Dearlove (2007) argues that Branson has also displayed great listening skills when dealing with his followers. Employees at Virgin Australia are always encouraged to share their ideas and concerns at all times without feeling intimidated. This is also a trait that has enabled Branson to handle change effectively. Fundamentally, individuals are able to share their concerns in regards to the change in question. This gives the leader the opportunity to address the same. In the end, change is implemented as desired. As stated by Bowerman and Wart (2014), leaders who are willing to listen to their followers are also able to learn. Branson has also benefited in a similar manner. For example, individuals have been able to share great ideas that can change the company for better with the leader (Branson, 2014).

Branson can also be ranked among leaders with decisive minds. He gives his followers the right to make decisions on their own as well as determine how to best handle their duties. However, he also knows when it is time to step in a save the day. He always ensures that he strikes a balance between setting an example and empowering staff members. As argued by Aluya (2009), there is no one single leadership style that is applicable in all situations. Particularly, there are times when a leader may be forced to apply autocratic leadership style and others when democratic style is more appropriate. A leader needs to be able to examine different leadership styles to ascertain which one is more applicable considering the situation they may be facing. Branson applies laissez-fare style. However, there are times when he switches to other styles whenever he deems necessary (Branson, 2014).

Consequently, Branson has displayed emotional intelligence.  He is always aware of his emotions and others’ emotions. This is also one of the major traits that have enabled him to get along with people with ease. Emotional intelligence enables leaders to understand why people behave in a certain manner. Sadri (2012) is of the view that EI also enables them to avoid their emotions getting in their way when handling different issues or problems.

Attitude

Branson is known for having a positive attitude at all times even when things seem hard or tough. He never lets the current situation the company may be facing deter him from achieving his goals and objectives. In fact, Branson embraces challenges and uses them as an opportunity to achieve greater things (Bowerman & Wart, 2014). For instance, he enjoys the level of competition in the industry as this enables him to think of ways to serve customers in a differentiated manner, hence high levels of customer satisfaction. Branson also encourages his followers to maintain a positive attitude at all times (Maxwell, 2013).

Power

            Richard Branson is considered a powerful leader. His source of power comes from the position he holds within Virgin Australia. Specifically, Branson is founder of the company. Similarly, his source of power also comes from the amount of wealth he has been able to amass over the years. He is currently ranked among the richest individuals in the world (Bowerman & Wart, 2014).

Leading Differently

Research has shown that Branson has had a major impact on his followers. Particularly, he has been able to motivate them to execute their roles and duties effectively. Branson is also able to get along with followers without encountering any major challenges. Many people have been inspired by the way he handles his followers in manner that results into high performances or productivity. Nevertheless, the leader can perform even better (Adair, 2011).

There are a number of disadvantages that are normally associated with laissez-fare leadership style. For one, laissez-fare leaders are believed to be withdrawn or less involved. This can easily lead to lack of cohesiveness in a group. Branson tries his level best to ensure he is involved in the affairs of his followers (Nicholas, 2009). However, he is keen not to look like he is micromanaging them. There is always the risk that some people may take this to their advantage by expressing less care or concern towards their jobs. Essentially, there is the need for Branson to always ensure that his followers understand the reason as to why he has embraced his leadership style. In the same regard, he should capitalize on his decisiveness deal with individuals who may not adhere to the performance standards that have been set (Maxwell, 2013).

Laissez-fare leadership may not also be applicable in situations where followers are unfamiliar with the tasks at hand. Branson believes in his people to complete their duties when directed as desired. Nevertheless, this is a strategy that may not work well when a vast majority of people do not understand the role they have to play. Branson must always understand his follower’s strengths and weaknesses at all times. This will enable him to determine when it is right to step in. As a result, he will be able to address challenges in a timely manner before they escalate into more serious problems (Bowerman & Wart, 2014).

Correspondingly, Branson should focus more on being a transformational leader. Such leaders are always looking for better ways of doing things (Bowerman & Wart, 2014). The airline industry has been undergoing changes that require companies operating in it to remain innovative at all times. Branson is an innovative leader. Nevertheless, embracing transformational leadership practices will improve his ability to handle change in the most effective way. According to McCleskey (2014), transformational leaders are also able to spot a problem more easily and address it. This is also a style that will enable Branson to cater for needs of niche markets.

Ultimately, Branson must also emphasize more coaching. Employees at Virgin Australia are trained to improve their skills and knowledge. Improving its commitment in regards to coaching will go a long way in increasing productivity (Johnson, Garrison, & Hernnez-Broome, 2010). This will also enable the leader to create successors. Richard Branson is aging. At some point, he may not have the capacity to manage the business. Failure to create successor can result into the company experiencing many challenges when he is gone. Overall, this is a problem that can easily be dealt with through coaching leadership (Dearlove, 2007).

Conclusion

            Richard Branson is a leader who has been able to manage his business in a differentiated manner. Specifically, the leader has managed change processes in his organization effectively. Branson has also embraced effective people management practices. He possesses traits and behaviors required by leaders when dealing with their people in the desired manner. However, there is the need for him to improve is some areas to achieve greater performances in the future.

Bibliography

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Branson, R 2014, The Virgin Way: Everything I Know About Leadership, Penguin Publishing Group, London.

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Dearlove, D  2007, Business the Richard Branson way : 10 secrets of the world’s greatest brand builder, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

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