A Conversation with Hans Wiedemann Leadership and management

In this case study  we will discuss about leadership and management and below are the summaries point:- Hans Wiedemann is a successful hotel manager with vast experience who has managed a five-star hotel and received the national award for excellence in service. He started his career as a service provider in St. Moritz and has worked in various stations in Switzerland and Asia. He possesses various leadership traits and qualities such as integrity, honesty, good communication, inspiring others, creativity, and innovation. Hans Wiedemann follows a democratic style of leadership, motivates and promotes his employees, and demonstrates his involvement in the hotel industry. The study finds that the behavioral theories, path-goal theories, and traits theories are applicable to Hans Wiedemann's leadership style. He was influenced by factors of internal as well as external environment such as organizational culture, organizational environment, sociological factors, and employees' roles. The study shows that good leaders are not born but make themselves good by working hard from the bottom level to the top level and leading other people to achieve their goals, as exemplified by Hans Wiedemann. Hans Wiedemann possesses the accountability, delegation, and empowerment qualities of leadership, and he was trusted by the owner of Badrutt Palace to maintain the unique atmosphere of the palace.  

Leadership and management 0
Leadership and management
System04116
2/8/2019

Leadership and management 1
Mr. Hans Wiedemann is a top hotel manager with enormous expertise. He has given a five star
hotel and received the national award for excellence in service. He became head of ‘Grande
dame’ in St. Mortiz. He graduated from renowned hotel management school in Lausanne. He
moved to various stations in Switzerland to Asia. He began his career as a service provider in St.
Moritz. He has two children one is 21 years old son and second is 16 years old daughter. Hans
Wiedemann started an apprenticeship as a waiter in the Schloss restaurant, Binningen at the age
of fifteen. After that, he worked as a chef de service and in administration in other
establishments. At the age of 23, Hans Wiedemann decided to complete the hotel management
course in Lausanne. After training of hotel management, he took a job in Australia and remained
until 1995. Hans Wiedemann honored for this work in hotel industry at ITB Berlin. In 2007, he
was awarded as hotelier of the year and in 2009, he was awarded as hotelier of the world. In
2018, Hans Wiedemann retired and resigned as head of operations (Hotellerie Gastronomie
Zeitung 2018).
The purpose of this analysis is to find out the leaderships trait, characteristics and leadership
styles of Hans Wiedemann. The aim is to know how much these leadership styles, traits,
characteristics and theories are effective and how much it helps Hans Wiedemann to become a
successful leader in the world. It is observed from the case content that Hans Wiedemann, who
started his career from service provider, is now head of “Grande Dame”. He is good leader as
well. In this study, it is found that Hans Wiedemann was against the former superior as he was
not approachable and visible. He was not enthusiastic towards his work when he does not find
original spirit and culture as he said guest should not perceive the modernization as it show that
he focuses on the customers as well as employees of the organization. In this paper, the
democratic style of leadership is followed, the various leadership traits and qualities are found in
Hans Wiedemann such as integrity, honesty, good communicator, inspire others, creativity and
innovation (Pearson 2018). The Behavioral and trait theories are applicable to the study as Hans
Wiedemann motivates and promotes its employees and demonstrate its involvement that is good
traits of a leader (Yukl 2013). So it is clear from the content that good leaders are not born they
make themselves good by working hard from bottom level to top level and leads other people for
achieving their goals and the best example is Hans Wiedemann from the content (Kruse 2013)

Leadership and management 2
The heredity shows Hans Wiedemann began an apprenticeship as a waiter in the Schloss
restaurant, Binningen, Later he began worked in other establishment in the kitchen as a chef de
service and in the administration. At the age of 23, he decided to complete the hotel management
school in Lausanne to put the bottom into the barrel. After completion of training, he took a job
in Australia and remained until 1995. After that, Hans moved to Badrutt palace in 2004 started
his job as a service provider and became hotel manager of Badrutt’s palace in St. Moritz. Mr.
Hans was influenced by factors of internal as well as external environment such as organizational
culture, organizational environment, sociological factors, and employees’ roles. The path for
development of Hans Wiedemann was not established. He develop path by doing unenthusiastic
task in his own manner that is, renovated the Badrutt’s palace with two digit millions annually
with original spirit and culture without modernizing it as keeping in mind the guest should not
perceived the modernization. The former superior of Badrutt’s palace who was called god by
staffs was not approachable and visible and due to this reason, he was unable to develop his path
for achieving goals. Hans wants to know first-hand about the worries of the employees when he
was manager at that hotel which states that Hans possess certain good qualities, which every
leader must have. In last two years, the owner of palace Badrutt and director Hans Wiedemann
had developed a close personal and professional relationships, which help in growth of the hotel
industry as it, is mandatory that relationship between owners and employees must be exits in an
organization for the development of the industry (Adair, 2009).
Indeed it can be said that discussion is relevant to leadership traits, styles, theories and
characteristics as Hans Wiedemann received daily request for two third of the share of palace
and was approached like a lottery millionaire but he did not inherited money. Hans possess
honesty and integrity which is traits of good leader and after that Badrutt and his wife handover
the palace in Wiedemann’s hands that was incredible trust instead and in return they only wanted
certainty that the unique atmosphere will be maintain for long period. Hans possess the
accountability, delegation and empowerment qualities of leadership. Hans Wiedemann only not
motivates and promotes his employees but also demonstrate its involvement in the hotel industry,
which is democratic style of leadership. In democratic style of leadership, top manager supports
subordinates and involve them in the process of decision-making of an organization (Bass and
Bass 2008).

Leadership and management 3
The behavioral theories, path goal theories, and traits theories are found in study. Hans possess
various traits of leaders. Honesty as he maintain palace of Badrutt without having motive of
profit earning because money does not interest him. Good communicator as he is head of the
palace in respect of this he communicated to its employees regarding any decisions taken for
hotel industry. Accountability as he is answerable for all the activities of the hotel and decisions
taken. Inspire others as he motivates and promotes its employees for their working. Creative as
he renovated hotel with original spirit and culture of palace with modernizing it (Cleverism
2019). Path theory is also applicable as there is mutual relationship between employees and the
Hans to achieve common goal of the hotel industry. Path theory is based on identifying a leader’s
style on behavior that best suits the workforces and work location in order to attain a goal is to
increase the member’s motivation, satisfaction and empowerment so they become associates of
the organization. Behavioral theory also seen in the study, as it is emphasis on the study of
behavior of a leader. Hans also motivated, empowerment, and satisfied its employees as it is
given in the case study. Behavioral theory of management leadership is classified as such for the
reason that they focus in the study of definite behaviors of a leader (Leadership-central.com
2019). For behavioral theorists, the behavior of leader is the best interpreter of his leadership
influence and as an outcome is the best factor of his or her leadership achievement (Center for
creative leadership 2019).
It is found from the study that good leaders are not born with leader’s traits and characteristics.
They established their path for development. Likewise, Mr. Hans establish his own path for the
development by doing job from service provider to head of the five star hotels. The theories that
are applied to the study are applicable as Mr. Hans possess those traits, leadership characteristics
and work according to the democratic style of leadership (Adair 2009).
The current leadership style is Democratic style of leadership and the motive of this style is to
motivate and promote the employees of the organization to work effectively and efficiently with
enthusiasm. However, there are different styles of leadership such as autocratic or authoritarian,
democratic or participative, and laissez faire or free rein leadership styles (Lewin 2018). In
autocratic style, the superior tells his or her subordinates what to do and how to do without
getting their advice or opinion or ideas. This style is not seen in the study as superior does not
order his subordinates even he motivates and promotes its employees (Garcia 2014). In

Leadership and management 4
democratic style, the superiors include one or more employees of the organization in the process
of decision-making. This style is seen throughout the study as superior that is Mr. Hans include
its employees in decision-making process, as he possesses good leadership characteristics (St.
Thomas University 2019). In laissez faire style, the superior allows the subordinates to make all
decisions of the organization however; he is also responsible for the decision made. This style is
not completely seen in the study, as whole power of decision of the palace is not lying with the
employees of that palace. The leadership style of Mr. Hans was democratic as he involves
members of the hotels while taking decision after analyzing three different styles of leadership
(Maxwell 2018).
Along with leadership, styles of the person various leadership characteristics are made as per the
article such as inspire others for achieving their goals in an effective and efficient manner. Good
communicator for lower level management of the organization so, that they cleared about the
task given to them and performance of the individual. Commitment and passion for assigned task
and performance if he fails to do so then these failures becomes hurdles in his ways of success.
Decision making capabilities that help subordinates for getting correct tasks at correct time,
Accountable to the failure of any task by subordinates, Delegation and empowerment, Creativity
and innovation, and empathy. All these leadership characteristics make Mr. Han the hotelier of
the world 2018 (Antonakis and Day 2018).
From the study of case, it is found that the leader’s motive was to develop the hotel industry as
his own industry. Badrutt handover his palace to Mr. Hans with mutual trust, the leaders must try
to feel safe to employees, create an environment of leadership, actively manage to adaptive
change, and use individual motivators to drive the behaviors. The motives that leaders should
have are not seen in the case study. However, it is assumed that if Mr. Hans who is now hotelier
of the world must have leader’s motive for leading and managing people. It means he had
provided safety to their employees, created better working environment for them, actively
managed the change required in hotel industry, and provided training to their employees
(Sachein 2010). The common traits and characteristics are based on the Hans Wiedemann’s style
of leadership that is democratic style. As it is discussed that, democratic style of leadership is the
leaderships style in which top-level managers involve their subordinates in its decision making
process. In this style following leadership traits are seen such as inspire lower level management

Leadership and management 5
which is an inspiration to other leaders, delegate authority of decision-making to subordinates,
accountable and responsible for performance of subordinates, confidence as employees are
certainly drawn to them , pursue their assistance and feel more self-assured as a result (CFI
2019). Badrutt had seen these traits in Hans Wiedemann and handover his own palace in the
hands of Hans Wiedemann and in return he only demands long life of palace. The leadership
style, which is preferred for the study of case, is appropriate and suitable according to the
content. As Hans Wiedemann who is now head of the palace concern about his employees and
involve them in every decision making process of the palace. Therefore, the democratic style of
leadership and traits or characteristics, which are discussed above, is well appropriate for
discussing the Mr. Hans style of leadership (Bush, 2011).
The effectiveness of democratic style of leadership which adopted by Mr. Hans is help in
creating satisfaction of job among the employees of the organization. More solutions that are
creative are received from the employees when superior involves them in decision-making
process of the organization (Humphrey 2013). In addition, greater innovations, which are
required for the hotel industry to address problems, that better support or serve the organization.
Democratic style of leadership solves the complex problems of the organization by
collaboratively work for solving the problems using opinions of subordinates or employees to get
things done in the right way. Likewise, Mr. Hans and his employees of palace work
collaboratively for solving every problem incurred in hotel industry. Consider each other’s ideas
and opinions for better growth of the hotel industry. Democratic leaders build strong teams as
opinions of everyone are taken into consideration. This style helps in fostering the creative
environments in the palace. However, it is time consuming that only superiors do not take
decisions, the consents of subordinates are also taken in this style of leadership but it is effective
style for the growth and development of organization as well as individuals in the organization,
which is adopted by Mr. Hans for the employees of the Badrutt’s palace in St. Moritz. This
democratic style of leadership makes Mr. Hans the hotelier of the world in 2018. He worked with
his employees and involve them in process of decision making which helps in developing the
hotel industry and make him the head of the five star hotels and a good achiever or leader in the
world (Black and mouton 2019).

Leadership and management 6
It is recommended that to sustain growth and development for the organization it is mandatory to
Question everything, as yesterday is interesting but irrelevant and focus on positive change, as
Mr. Hans was not enthusiastic for the task of modernizing the palace (Schafer 2010). Leader’s
must efforts on increasing productivity, effectiveness, profitability and quality of life. As it is
seen in the study of case, that former superior was not approachable and visible. It is mandatory
for every leader to be approachable and visible to employees of the organization. Mr. Hans
focuses on the problems of the employees who are working in the Badrutt’s palace in St. Moritz.
It is require setting the conditions for inheritance as Badrutt’s director did not set any conditions
for the inheritance. There must be contract for the same. In this study, there is lucrative offer
between Badrutt’s director and Hans Wiedemann. The leadership style that is followed or seen in
this study case is appropriate. But in certain cases there is require to follow autocratic and laissez
faire style of leadership means whole power lie with the owner or superior of the organization in
autocratic style and sometimes it is require to delegate whole powers to subordinates for the
growth and development of the organization which motivates or inspire them to work effectively
and efficiently. Only Trait theory and behavioral theories of leaderships are applied but there is
necessary of each theory, which should be applied by leaders for effective leadership (Cherry
2018) Traits and characteristics of leadership, which are developed by leaders themselves, should
be provided effective trainings by every organization for the growth and development of
organization. Mr. Hans who already have those traits, which leaders should have in it, did not get
any leadership guidance from his superiors. For effective leadership, there is need of trust among
superior and subordinates (Spears 2015). The leaders must try to improve the quality of life of an
individual who are working in their organization for achievement of organizational goals. The
person should work for his organization as well as for profit. Mr. Hans was dedicated towards
Badrutt’s palace and he said money does not interest him. Nevertheless, every leader must have
both the objectives in their life though he is successful in his life today and owner of 5 stars
hotels in the world. To sustain growth and development of organization, there is need to maintain
consistency if a leader follows democratic style of consistency he should have to follow those
styles only to retain employees in the organization. The theories he is following should not
varied when he is in growing stage. He should focus on the changes whenever changes or
variations are required in the organization. He should constant to the one organization instead of
shifting from one organization to another organization as Mr. Hans does in his life. He shifted to

Leadership and management 7
various states and got different positions in different organization but when he became manager
and remained in that organization, he becomes head of the palace now. Therefore, it is clear from
the study that one should permanent itself in selected organization so that his/her growth and
development can be possible in best ways. All these suggestions and recommendations are given
to leader to continue his/her leadership in an effective and efficient manner to become the
world’s number one inspiring leader. As Mr. Hans is now a world’s best hotelier (Wyk 2019).
It is concluded that leaders are not born they make themselves a good leader and develop
leadership traits itself. In the study of case, it is found that leaders starts from the bottom level
and reaches to high level by doing efforts or practice in their industry. Likewise, Mr. Hans
started his job as a service provider and became manager at the age of 23 and now he is hotelier
of the world and awarded in berlin for the excellent performance in the hotel industry. The
motive behind the leader was to safeguard the interest of the employees of hotel and creating
better working environment. A good leader focuses on its employees as well as its organization.
Following leadership traits and characteristics are discussed based on the case. Mr. Hans who is
a great leader possess various traits and characteristics of leadership. The traits which are seen
after study of case of Hans Wiedemann is honesty, integrity, inspiring, creative, delegated,
confident, innovative To become a good leader, he should be approachable and visible. Leaders
must possess all those traits that are required while doing leadership in any organization. In this
study, democratic style of leadership is suitable to discuss about Hans Wiedemann’s leadership
style. Democratic style is a concept in which superiors include his subordinates in decision-
making process of an organization. Hans Wiedemann involve his team members or employees of
the palace in the decision making process which is also good characteristics of leaders and
leadership. Every leader must have these traits and characteristics to become a good leader in the
world. The leadership style, which is followed, is effective as it helps in creating job satisfaction;
receiving creative solutions of the problems in the industry by collaboratively work in the
organization. All these leader’s traits, leadership characteristics and leadership styles discussed
are based on the leadership and management concept of an organization. Various suggestions
and recommendations are given on leadership dynamics that are necessary to continue in the
specified industry with a good reputation in the world. While leading any organization, gaining
trust of superiors and subordinates is main task for every leader. Hans Wiedemann gained trust
of his employees and owner of Badrutt palace by doing his work with the aim of development

Leadership and management 8
and growth of the employees and palace. This hard work of Hans Wiedemann makes him the
head of the palace and hotelier of the world, 2018.

Leadership and management 9
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