Leadership and Governance

This study material explores the concept of leadership and governance, focusing on the different leadership styles and their impact on organizational performance. It analyzes the leadership style of Tara Commerford, the Managing Director of GoDaddy for Australia and New Zealand, who combines traditional and new-age leadership approaches. The material also discusses the importance of ethics, diversity, and teamwork in leadership. The content provides valuable insights for understanding effective leadership in the contemporary business world.

Running head: LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Leadership and Governance
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
Introduction
As opined by Western (2019), leaders are the individuals who motivate the
individuals or the groups towards the achievement of the attainment of the objectives that
have been outlined for them or the groups. Anderson and Sun (2017) are of the viewpoint that
over the years the process of leadership had undergone a substantial amount of change and in
the present times the leaders are being seen as the stewards of the business firms and thereby
perform the job roles of both the managers and the leaders. More importantly, in the present
times it is seen that the new-age leaders are increasingly the positive aspects of the traditional
aspects of leadership and also embracing new technologies and approaches for the attainment
of the organizational goals (DuBrin, 2015). In this regard, mention needs to be made of Tara
Commerford, the Managing Director of GoDaddy for Australia and New Zealand.
Tara Commerford, born in 1967, is one of the most important contemporary business
leaders of Australia who is not only tech-savvy but at the same time like to take the help of
different kinds of technologies for management of her work as well (Arnnet.com.au, 2019).
More importantly, it is seen that she is one of the very contemporary Australian leaders who
uses the traditional concepts of leadership and also actively embraces new concepts as well
for offering leadership to the organization. Presently, she is working as the MD of GoDaddy
and had experience of more than 18 years working as the leader of different firms
(Bandt.com.au, 2019). In addition to these, she had experience of working in international
business environment and working with multicultural teams in the nations of Canada, Japan,
Asia and others (Jones & Jones, 2019). One of the most important traits of her character is the
fact that she is very quick to realize the business opportunities presented by the Australian
business market. In this regard, commenting her association with GoDaddy and the business
activities of the firm she says “Australia is built on small businesses. They account for 96 per

2LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
cent of all companies and the vast majority are micro-businesses. While nearly all of them are
connected to the Internet, less than half have a website of their own”
(Insidesmallbusiness.com.au, 2019).
I would like to say in this regard that the leader Tara Commerford is of special interest
to me as a leader because of the fact that whereas the other Australian leaders are trying to
open up new business avenues for attaining a higher growth level of profitability for the firms
with they are connected, Commerford, on the other hand, is trying to improve the business of
the SMEs of Australia (Jones & Jones, 2019). This is of special importance from the
perspective of the Australian because of the fact that the revolution she is trying to bring
within the framework of the Australian business world is not only likely to enable it to earn a
higher amount of profitability but also enable the SMEs to compete on par with the MNCs as
well (Bandt.com.au, 2019). More importantly, this is likely to contribute in a significant
manner towards the economic development of Australia. Furthermore, in the recent times she
had shown greats leadership skills and actively tried to improve the facilities or opportunities
which are available to the employees with the firm GoDaddy. On the score of these factors I
have opted for Tara Commerford as the leader whose leadership style I would analyze in this
paper.
Literature Review
Anderson et al. (2017) have articulated the viewpoint that the landscape of leadership
had been subjected to constant change in synchronicity with the ever changing requirements
of the business world and also the customers that the firms cater to. In this regard, it needs to
be said that the theories of leadership and also the very concept of leadership had changed
over the years. For example, in the earlier times, The Great Man theory was popular which
articulated the viewpoint that the leaders are not created but born with certain specific traits

3LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
which enabled them to perform job roles of leadership in an effective manner (Rosenbach,
2018). More importantly, the Behavioral theory of leadership also supported this viewpoint
and stated that the traits of the leaders were completely different from those of their followers
and these traits distinguished them from their followers (Miner, 2015). The major weakness
of these theories can be said to be fact that the leaders were placed at a higher pedestal on the
score of these theories and the followers were completely relegated to the background (Grint
et al., 2016). However, as opined by Meuser et al. (2016), in the contemporary times it is seen
that the followers or the subordinates are given equal importance or prominence and this fact
is being reflected by the modern theories of leadership. In this context, mention needs to be
made of the leadership theories of transformational, transactional, authentic, leader-
membership exchange and other leadership styles.
Bolman and Deal (2017) are of the viewpoint that the transformation leadership
style is the one wherein the leaders are required to lead by example and also take the help of
the framework of motivation for effective leading the followers towards the goals or the
objectives that had been outlined for them. On the other hand, as opined by Storey (2016), the
transactional leadership style is the one wherein the leaders follow the principle of ‘reward
and punishment’ and thereby the hard-work of followers and the followers who are not being
able to perform on par the expected level are being offered feedbacks and punishments. More
importantly, the authentic leadership approach is the one wherein the leaders are required
to create ethical relationships with the followers and the concept of morals or ethics dominate
the different activities or the behavior of the leaders (Lussier & Achua, 2015). Furthermore,
the leader-member exchange theory is the one through the usage of which the leaders are
required to take into account the perspectives or the viewpoints of the followers for the
important decisions that they make (Northouse, 2018). Needless to say, these changes within
the cauldron of leadership had been brought about by the changing requirements of the

4LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
contemporary business world and also the recognition of the idea that the followers are as
important as the leaders.
Antonakis and Day (2017) have articulated the viewpoint that one of the most
important trends which is being seen within the framework of the contemporary business
world is the fact that different kinds of teams or groups have become an integral part of the
organizational structure of different firms. More importantly, these teams or groups are being
formed on the basis of the work or tasks that they perform and this is primarily done with the
objective to enhance the efficiency as well as the performance of these firms (Western, 2019).
Furthermore, it is seen that the leaders play an integral role not only to link or unite the
different teams or the groups of the workplace but at the same time to ensure that the goals or
the objectives of these teams or groups are in alignment with the overall organizational goals
or objective. This is important from the perspective of the organizational performance of the
firms since if there is a rift between the different teams or the groups of the firm then this is
likely to adversely affect the performance or the productivity of the same (DuBrin, 2015).
Moreover, the leaders are required to constantly monitor the performances of the different
teams and also offer mentoring, coaching and other similar services to them for the
enhancement of their performance (Raelin, 2016). In addition to this, it is seen that the
leadership practices and activities used by the leaders had a profound impact on the
performance of the different teams and also the individuals who are related to them.
As opined by Anderson and Sun (2017), the ethical dimension of leadership had
gained a substantial amount of prominence within the framework of the contemporary
business world and the leaders are required to use the concepts of morals and ethics for
leading the followers. This can be explained on the basis of the fact that the workplaces of
many firms are being dominated by the concept of favoritism and bias and this in turn takes a
toll on the individual employee performance and also on organizational performance (Grint et

5LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
al., 2016). The net result of this is that the contemporary leaders are required to focus on the
entities of diversity and ethics for leading the teams. More importantly, recent researches
have clearly shown the fact that the diversity within teams significantly enhance the
performance of the teams by facilitating better completion of different job roles and this is
perhaps one of the major reasons why the different leaders are increasingly trying to enhance
the diversity within the teams of their firms (Rosenbach, 2018). Lastly, the leaders are
required to be innovative as well as creative and thus take the help of different kinds of
changes which are not only likely to improve the organizational culture but also improve
organizational performance as well.
Critical Analysis
Tara Commerford’s leadership style and the success gained by her through the usage
of the same are in synchronicity with the different leadership theories and models articulated
by different scholars or researchers over the years. An analysis of the leadership style adopted
by Commerford clearly reveals the fact that she follows the authentic style of leadership so
as to create ethical relationship with the different employees of GoDaddy and also for leading
them in an effective manner (Bandt.com.au, 2019). This is important because the usage of
this leadership style had enabled her to not only place all the employees of the firm under
discussion here on equal pedestal but at the same time enhance the productivity of these
employees as well. More importantly, by actively championing the rights as well as well-
being of the employees of the concerned firm she had not only being able to win the trust of
the employees but at the same time motivate them in an effective manner to give a higher
amount of performance (Insidesmallbusiness.com.au, 2019). For example, in an interview she
herself said that “I’m expecting to see greater workplace flexibility; more remote working,
more people starting up passion projects and less of the tired 9-5” (Jones & Jones, 2019).

6LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
One of the most important aspects of the character or the personality of Commerford
is the fact that she practices what she preaches and this becomes apparent from the fact that
she not only urges the different SMEs to use modern disruptive technologies within the
framework of their business but she herself is a tech-savvy person. This becomes clear from
her statement “I’m interested in emerging Australian startups and disruptive
technologies. I think it’s important to learn, evolve and stay relevant when it comes to digital
innovation….I’m always looking to bridge opportunities as I see them” (Jones & Jones,
2019). In addition to this, it is seen that she strives hard not only to improve the business
prospects of the firm GoDaddy but also the other SMEs of Australia as well. This becomes
apparent from the fact that more than 80% of the SMEs in the nation of Australia and New
Zealand are presently taking the help of online websites and other forms of technologies
within the business processes used by them (Insidesmallbusiness.com.au, 2019). More
importantly, it is seen that Commerford believes in the concept of teamwork and on gaining
the control of the firm under discussion here she had segregated the entire workplace of the
firm into smaller groups or teams on the basis of the work or tasks that the members of the
team perform. Furthermore, it is seen that she personally monitors or regulates the work of
these teams and ensures that teams or groups have a collective vision which is in
synchronicity with the overall goals or objectives of the entire firm itself (Jones & Jones,
2019). The net result of this is that she had not only being able to create a positive ethical
environment or culture within the framework of the firm GoDaddy but at the same time had
been able to enhance the overall productivity of the firm under discussion here as well.
Tara Commerford in the recent times had taken various kinds of initiatives for
enhancing the diversity of the workplaces of GoDaddy and also to effectively utilize the
diversity of the workplace of the same for enhancing the individual as well as organizational
performance (Bandt.com.au, 2019). For example, it is seen that presently the women

7LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
employees are not only being seen on par with the different male employees but at the same
time given equal amount of number of growth opportunities as well (Jones & Jones, 2019).
In addition to this, women employees are being hired extensively and she had taken extra
initiative to ensure the fact that the evil of gender pay gap is being kept to a bare minimum
in the concerned firm (Arnnet.com.au, 2019). More importantly, it is seen that the majority of
her actions are being dictated by the concepts of morals and ethics and she ensures that the
evils of biasness and favoritism do not dominate the workplaces of the firm. Furthermore, it
is seen that she possess extensive people management skills and this is being used by her to
not only manage the different employees of the firm but at the same time all the employees
are on the same page with her (Insidesmallbusiness.com.au, 2019). Thus, on the basis of
these facts it can be said that the effective leadership style as well as skills used by Tara
Commerford had greatly contributed towards the recent success gained by the firm GoDaddy.
Conclusion
To conclude, the changes in the business world and also the changing needs of the
different stakeholders who are associated with the business firms had brought about a change
in the landscape of leadership. In this regard, it needs to be said that the contemporary leaders
are increasingly embracing different modern concepts and using them in conjunction with the
traditional notions to gain effective results. More importantly, it is seen that the contemporary
business leaders rather than just acting as the leaders of the firm are increasing being as the
stewards of the firms and thereby perform the job roles of both the leaders and the managers.
These aspects are being outlined by the above analysis of the Australian Tara Commerford
and her activities as the MD of GoDaddy. One of the most important strength points of
Commerford can be said that to be fact that rather than focusing merely on the growth of the
firm GoDaddy she is also trying to bring about the growth of other Australian SMEs as well.

8LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
In addition to this, the use of ethics or morals, effective people management, use of authentic
leadership style and others for leading her followers are other strength points of Commerford.
However, the most important weakness of her leadership style can be said to be the fact that
she is trying to integrate too drastic changes within the workplace of GoDaddy which in the
longer run can adversely affect the prospects of the concerned firm. Thus, it is suggested that
she not only takes into effective account the perspective of her followers but also of the firm
as well for the changes that she is incorporating with the firm. Another important measure she
can use to take the help of the leadership framework of situational leadership, which will
enable her to handle the different situations or problems that she faces as the MD of
GoDaddy in an effective manner.

9LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
References
Anderson, H.J., Baur, J.E., Griffith, J.A. & Buckley, M.R., (2017). What works for you may
not work for (Gen) Me: Limitations of present leadership theories for the new
generation. The Leadership Quarterly, 28(1), pp.245-260.
Anderson, M.H. & Sun, P.Y., (2017). Reviewing leadership styles: Overlaps and the need for
a new ‘full‐range’theory. International Journal of Management Reviews, 19(1),
pp.76-96.
Antonakis, J. & Day, D.V. eds., (2017). The nature of leadership. Sage publications.
Arnnet.com.au, (2019). GoDaddy launches Australian operations. [online] ARN. Available
at: https://www.arnnet.com.au/article/580716/godaddy-launches-australian-
operations/ [Accessed 1 Apr. 2019].
Bandt.com.au, (2019). GoDaddy Hires New ANZ Marketing Director - B&T. [online]
Available at: http://www.bandt.com.au/marketing/godaddy-hires-new-anz-marketing-
director [Accessed 1 Apr. 2019].
Bolman, L.G. & Deal, T.E., (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and
leadership. John Wiley & Sons.
DuBrin, A.J., (2015). Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills. Nelson Education.
Grint, K., Jones, O.S., Holt, C. & Storey, J., (2016). What is leadership. The Routledge
companion to leadership, p.3.
Insidesmallbusiness.com.au, (2019). How small businesses can be tech-savvy to thrive online
| Inside Small Business. [online] Available at:

10LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
https://insidesmallbusiness.com.au/sales-marketing/how-small-businesses-can-be-
tech-savvy-to-thrive-online [Accessed 1 Apr. 2019].
Jones, S. & Jones, S. (2019). Former LinkedIn comms boss to end 'daunting' digital move for
SMEs in new GoDaddy role - Mumbrella. [online] Mumbrella. Available at:
https://mumbrella.com.au/former-linkedin-comms-boss-to-end-daunting-digital-
move-for-smes-in-new-godaddy-role-309600 [Accessed 1 Apr. 2019].
Lussier, R.N. & Achua, C.F., (2015). Leadership: Theory, application, & skill development.
Nelson Education.
Meuser, J.D., Gardner, W.L., Dinh, J.E., Hu, J., Liden, R.C. & Lord, R.G., (2016). A network
analysis of leadership theory: The infancy of integration. Journal of
Management, 42(5), pp.1374-1403.
Miner, J.B., (2015). Organizational behavior 1: Essential theories of motivation and
leadership. Routledge.
Northouse, P.G., (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Raelin, J.A. ed., (2016). Leadership-as-practice: Theory and application. Routledge.
Rosenbach, W.E., (2018). Contemporary issues in leadership. Routledge.
Storey, J., (2016). Changing theories of leadership and leadership development.
In Leadership in Organizations (pp. 33-58). Routledge.
Western, S., (2019). Leadership: A critical text. SAGE Publications Limited.