Creative & Ethical Leadership

Explore the importance of creative and ethical leadership in the car industry. Discover personal statements, self-reflection, and personal development planning to enhance your leadership skills. Learn about ethical practices and the impact of creativity in the industry.

Creative & Ethical
Leadership

Table of Contents
Personal Statement......................................................................................................................1
Self reflection on your experience..............................................................................................1
Personal development planning..................................................................................................3
Research on suitable leadership in the industry..........................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

Personal Statement
I had started my career from a marketing manager boy in small business within car
industry and now I am a Marketing manager in large enterprise (Gibbs). Starting career from
such a small age and collecting good experience always forced me to use my potential in
different areas so that I will attain my defined goals. So, for my next job role, I want to become a
Regional Sales and Marketing Manager because of having strong transferable skills and enough
experience that encourage me to think big. I am ideal for this profile because of having strong
interpersonal and decision making abilities which a Manager must possess.
Self-reflection on your experience
I have three-year experience in the marketing field in which I learn how to deal with
different people at my premises. Started my career as a marketing boy in small manufacturing
company where I deliver the company's products to people and aware them about product's
strength as well. Then, I started improve my transferable skills and after that, applied for a
marketing manager in Gibbs where I designed content for a firm, as it's a part of marketing. I
had completed my Post graduation in Marketing because I want to become a Marketing manager
in top car manufacturing company. During my studies, University frequently conduct seminars,
campaigns where we have to show our caliber, because it’s a part of our training.
I was so excited because during every training session I learn new things which might be
useful in my career options. Sometimes, there were situation, where I feel stressed because of
not having knowledge pertaining to my job profile which includes car parts, change in market
trends. At that time, my teacher supported and provide solutions to cope up with the problems.
During my first job, I feel so nervous because I was at learning phase and don't have enough
confident as well. After some time, I make myself comfortable and as a result, I had start
focusing upon my skills, which need to be developed in order to attained my future goals.
With the support of my mentor, team-mates, I am able to complete 3-year journey and
enhanced my written communication skill, I feel confident regards my work, enhanced customer
service skills (which is considered as an essential skill among marketing manager) etc. Along
with this, the staff were so supportive and during my probation period, different sessions were
conducted in order to prepare employees to deal with various situation so that they all attained
the defined goal of a company. During my career experience, I identified that there are some
areas which needs to be improved which includes verbal communication, team working abilities,
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leadership quality and innovative thinking. On the other side, I analyzed that I possess strong
problem solving skills which helps me to make decision for the welfare of a firm, customer
service abilities that aids me to identify the market demand and meet the same by using effective
strategies.
Currently, I am working as a Marketing Manager in Gibbs and the entire journey to reach
this position is quite interesting. It is so because I faced many problems but with proper
guidance I am able to resolve the same and enhancing performance as well. For instance, there
were a disputes between my team members and this hamper our target which was assigned by
the manager. Thus, to solve the same I took an initiative and conduct a small meeting in which
we all shared our views and finally reach to a solution that helps to resolve it. During this, I
examined that I gain enough confident and develop decision making skills as well. Beside this,
there were many rewards provided by the company which helps employees to be motivated and
put their extra efforts to attain the target (Anantharaman, 2017). Similarly, with good
collaboration and right guidance, my team won and this showed that I gain different skills which
reflect my progress to attain the future goals.
Earlier, I always feel hesitate to involve with other members, but throughout my career
experience I enhanced skills pertaining to team working abilities. It also assists to meet the
defined goal because in big firms, teams are defined in order to attain the defined task
(Shimamura, Kobayashi and Yamanaka, 2018). That is why, I am confident due to enhancing
skills and competencies so that I will become a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager.
Through the journey, it has been identified that I groom my personality along with abilities and
that is why, I feel happy with regards to my progress. In addition to this, at my present situation,
I have enough confidence pertaining to what I gained through my career experience, but there
are many skills which need to be improved, so that I will attain the define goal i.e. verbal
communication, team working skills, innovative skills and leadership quality. These
competences are necessary to reach towards a goal and that is why, I am stressed, due to the
weakness which I possessed. Thus to improve the same, personal development plan will be used
that assist to attain my future career goals. Also, I enhanced my knowledge related to
management because at my current profile, I deal with 6 people. For that, there is a need to have
effective time management skills so that entire work will be performed accordingly.
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Personal development planning
I am the marketing manager in the car industry and to successfully excel in my
department I need to polish some of my skills to generate profitability for the company. I need to
develop my communication skills in terms of higher vocabulary, innovative and unique thinking
ability, leadership qualities and initiative taking skills and teamwork planning skills.
Better communication skills are required at the time of promoting the products and
personally selling the cars to the customers. Apart from that innovative thinking process is
required to develop the marketing strategies, advertising campaigns, tag-lines etc. A manager
must be a good leader who can manage the team effectively, take initiatives and direct the
subordinates towards the organizational objectives.
S. No Area/ skills to
be developed
Actions to
develop skills/
knowledge/
experience
Time frame
to build
skills
Method used for
the skill
development
Aim to achieve
developmental
level
1 Innovative and
unique thinking
skills
Brainstorming
and jotting down
the ideas is one
way of building
innovation and
uniqueness in the
thinking process.
Creative cohesive
thinking is the
other approach
used to build
these skills.
Identify the
problems faced
and try to build
Within 6
months
Day dreaming is a
method used for
brainstorming and
idea generation.
Training sessions
for analytical
thinking process
needs to be
developed.
Feedbacks,
opinions and
I aim to achieve
advanced level in
developing of my
innovative and
unique thinking
skills. This is to
build competitive
advantage in the
industry and
survive in the
cut-throat
competition.
Also, it shall
prove to be
essential in
taking first
mover advantage
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solutions for it. suggestions from
time to time shall
help in knowing
the problems that
are faced.
in the market and
capitalize on the
opportunities.
2 Leadership and
initiative taking
skills
The leadership
skills can be
developed by
motivating,
inspiring and
guiding the
subordinates.
Enhance
convincing and
influencing
power to initiate
a change.
Conflict
resolution and
problem- solving
tactics for the
juniors.
Within a
month
The leader must
ensure that proper
motivational
techniques are
applied and
subordinates are
satisfied.
Change
management
strategies by
efficient training
systems.
Grievance
redressal system
The intermediate
level of
leadership and
initiative taking
capacity must be
gained so that the
organizational
objectives can be
fulfilled.
3 Teamwork
building skills
Efficient
relationship
management.
Be a good
listener to the
Within a
quarter year
Continuous
interaction with
the subordinates,
building
trustworthiness
etc.
The aim is to
develop at-least
intermediate
amount of such
skills to maintain
unity and
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team members
and solve their
problems
Develop common
goals and
integrate every
team member's
work to the
formed objective
of the company.
Don't be
judgemental and
stereotypic in
nature.
Instructions must
be for fulfilling
both personal and
organizational
goals and integrate
the work on
common motive.
integrity within
the group.
4 Communication
skills
Be a good and
patient listener.
Simplify the
message and take
time to respond.
Talk with the
foreign clients to
improve the
vocabulary.
Body language
must be sound
and convincing.
Develop
In a year Enhance the
understanding
capacity.
Two-way formal
communication
between superiors
and subordinates.
Study the
appropriate
posture, gesture
and sign language.
I am a marketing
manager and so
expertise level
has to be
ascertained in the
communication
skills.
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concentration and
eye contact. Meditation, yoga
and focus oriented
activities.
Research on suitable leadership in the industry
The car factory in UK contribute high amount to enhance the economy such that the
industry was increased by 7% from 2013 but last year there was a 9% decline in sales of cars
due to pandemic. Britain is considered as a small hub of car manufacturing stores because of
having top brands such as Aston Martin, Bentley, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover etc. These
companies are deals with range of countries and that is why, working in such firms will provide
an opportunities of learning and enhancing current knowledge. Therefore, there are many ethical
issues related to this industry such that pollution, not complying with legal laws prescribe by
government etc. In the same way, Volkswagen who sell its million cars in Europe, Germany, US
and UK, but these lead to emission scandal and contribute to pollution. In this era of
digitalization, most of the car manufacturing companies are focused upon automation which is
another ethical issue (Jones, 2019). There are many safety issues related to predicted level of
accidents among automated cars and this in turn affect brand image as well.
Apart from this, sometimes ethical marketing is also considered another concern for car
industry. For example, customer remain loyal towards a brand till the company did not meet
with any unethical practices. This also includes the tools used for marketing because negative
reviews by users, shift the preference of customer towards another brand and this in turn affect
profitability. Therefore, it is essential to having creativity in car manufacturing industry because
individual prefer cars who has additional features. That is why, leader keep identifying the
market trend and examined that people focused upon self-driven cars. Thus, creativity attract
customers and cause positive impact upon business (Winfield and Jirotka, 2018). On the other
side, with the help of creative leadership, company identify the need of customer and provide
guidance to their employees in order to meet the demand. Also, leaders keep motivating their
employees so that they assist management to turn the strategies into action. Therefore, through
creativity and creative leadership company is able to sustain the brand image and improve the
performance level as well.
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To stay ahead in the competition, it is necessary to follow leadership theory because it
assist to make better decision for the welfare of a firm. For that, authors defined range of
theories in order to let leader understand about the importance of making decision as per
situation which includes, Situational theory, Tranformational theory, Trait and behavioral
theory.
Situational theory of leadership claim that no style is best because it is depending upon
the leader's ability to adapt style as per the situation. The theory also states that different
situation demand for different styles of leadership as well as decision making. Therefore, it helps
me to improve the leadership abilities because leaders who uses this theory are defined by their
flexibility. With the help of such, individual learn how to deal with situation by applying
appropriate leadership style (Thompson and Glasø, 2018). This in turn assist to improve the
critical abilities and decision making skills which in turn contribute to enhance leadership
capabilities within car industry. For example, in order to implement a change within an industry
related to adopting other organizational culture, leaders analyze the situation and then adopt the
best style as per the situation. In the context of same, transformational leadership style is
considered the most suited style that helps to accept the changes within business and also
prepare employees to adopt changes accordingly.
Participative theory, helps to make decision for the welfare of a company by involving
all members. This is used by majority of the companies in order to make their employees
motivated. With the help of such leadership theory, leader facilitate a conversation and take
suggestion so that they come up with best possible action (Leadership theories and style, 2020).
Therefore, with the help of such theory, I develop good relationship with colleagues because
taking their views will assist to examine their knowledge and abilities. With the help of such
theory, employees feel more engaged and motivated because they are directly involved in
decision and outcomes. On the other side, it has been critically evaluated that adapting this
theory makes leader appear weak and sometimes they did not get best outcomes, as they
involved range of people into it (Fiaz, M., Su and Saqib, 2017). However, in situational theory,
leader do not have any concern for personal relationship, whereas through participative
leadership focused only upon employee's views.
Therefore, it is reflected that both styles have their own importance and assist to
enhanced the leadership capabilities to work effectively in car industry. I already possess low
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leadership skills and that is why, complying such theories at workplace will assist to provide
direction to others and implement different motivational strategies for employees as well. As car
industry faces many ethical concerns and that is why, it is necessary for the individuals to
comply with such theory in order to stay ahead and take a business at further level of success.
To stay ahead in the competition, there is a need to comply with all ethical principles and
theories. Among all, dentology is considered the most suited theory within car industry because
it stated that people should adhere to assigned obligations and duties while engaged in a decision
making. In this, ethics plays an important role (Swain and Spire, 2020). Also, in the context of
an industry, employee and employer have their own duties and responsibilities that helps
business to occupy the top position within competition. In the hierarchical structure, it is
identified that different departments are organized and each member has to report to their
respective supervisor in order to identified the performance level. During this process, if
company identify any unethical practices then leaders make actions accordingly. Thus, with this
theory company run in consistently and treat all the people fairly. In addition to this, by
complying with such theory company is able to generate the best outcomes because it realizes all
member's duties which they have to fulfilled in order to meet the defined goals.
Also, Utilitarianism is another best theory that is suitable within car industry because it
identifies the right outcomes for a business. The main purpose of using this theory is to
determine the wrong aspect within business that hamper the performance of a company (Bobek
and et.al, 2017). As a result, it provides ways through which company is able to generate the
best output. Along with this, leaders also direct their employees by complying with ethical
principle so that it does not cause any negative impact upon the business performance.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Shimamura, M., Kobayashi, Y. and Yamanaka, Y., 2018, July. What is the most suitable
Transferable Skill Test for the Graduate School students in Research University in
Japan?. In 2018 7th International Congress on Advanced Applied Informatics (IIAI-
AAI) (pp. 408-413). IEEE.
Jones, E., 2019. Rethinking greenwashing: corporate discourse, unethical practice, and the
unmet potential of ethical consumerism. Sociological Perspectives.62(5). pp.728-754.
Winfield, A.F. and Jirotka, M., 2018. Ethical governance is essential to building trust in robotics
and artificial intelligence systems. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A:
Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.376(2133). p.20180085.
Swain, J.M. and Spire, Z.D., 2020, January. The role of informal conversations in generating
data, and the ethical and methodological issues. In Forum Qualitative
Sozialforschung/Forum: Qualitative Social Research (Vol. 21, No. 1).
Bobek, D.D. and et.al., 2017. An investigation of ethical environments of CPAs: Public
accounting versus industry. Behavioral Research in Accounting.29(1). pp.43-56.
Anantharaman, M., 2017. Elite and ethical: The defensive distinctions of middle-class bicycling
in Bangalore, India. Journal of Consumer Culture.17(3). pp.864-886.
Thompson, G. and Glasø, L., 2018. Situational leadership theory: a test from a leader-follower
congruence approach. Leadership & Organization Development Journal.
Fiaz, M., Su, Q. and Saqib, A., 2017. Leadership styles and employees' motivation: Perspective
from an emerging economy. The Journal of Developing Areas.51(4). pp.143-156.
Online
Leadership theories and style. 2020. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.wgu.edu/blog/leadership-theories-styles2004.html>.
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