Leadership and Management Theories and Practices: A Case Study of Jeff Bezos and Amazon

This presentation explores various leadership and management theories and practices through the case study of Jeff Bezos and Amazon. It covers trait and behavioural theories, situational and contingency theory, transformational and transactional theory, distributed leadership, ethical leadership, and critical leadership perspectives.

Leadership and
management,
theory and
practice

Table of Content
Introduction
Trait and Behavioural Theories
Situational and Contingency Theory
Transformational and Transactional Theory
Distributed leadership
Ethical leadership and Critical leadership perspectives
Conclusion
References

Introduction
Leadership and management practices are essential elements of successful organisation. The
presentation is prepared on Jeff Bezos who is founder as well as CEO of Amazon.

Trait and Behavioural Theories
Trait leadership theory is propounded by Thomas Carlyle as well as Francis Galton who states that a leader possesses
certain kinds of traits which makes them effective leader. As per trait leadership theory, good leaders have pattern of
characteristics which support their competence to mobilise resources for shared vision. Jeff Bezos have certain traits
that serves as benchmark to lead group of human resources for making claim of credibility. Traits of Jeff Bezos to
manage an enterprise that is Amazon are as follows:
Desire to lead
Integrity
Open mindedness
Extraversion

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Behavioural theory is developed by Dr. Rensis Likert who argues that leader’s success is based
on their behaviour despite of natural attributes. It involves observing together with evaluating
actions and behaviours of leaders when they respond to particular situation. Different behavioural
leadership theories are as follows:
Ohio state studies
Four factor theory

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Application of trait leadership theory benefits in understanding all elements and gives detailed
knowledge about leadership process. Traits of Jeff Bezos help the personality to depict responses
associated to any circumstances in certain manner.
Behavioural leadership theory addresses that behaviours of leader’s foster support on projects.
Behaviours of Jeff Bezos promotes values of their leadership styles by focusing on people and
collaboration.

Situational and Contingency Theory
Situational theory is work of Paul Hersey along with Ken Blanchard that states that effective leaders are able to adapt styles to
situations as well as look towards cues including task, nature of group addition to other factors which contribute in completing
of tasks.
Four styles of situational leadership style are as follows:
Telling
Selling:
Participating
Delegating

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Contingency Theory is proposed by Fred Edward Fiedler who claims that there is no best way for
organising an establishment, leading a venture and making decisions.
Elements of contingent leadership theory in relevance to Jeff Bezos are as follows:
Situational favourableness
Leadership style
Matching styles to situations

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Application of contingency leadership theory gives leader, such as Jeff Bezos a wide range of
ways for reacting to issues and problems faced by Amazon as the theory provides significant
discretion to make rational decisions.

Transformational and Transactional Theory
Transformational theory is working of James MacGregor Burns who claims that leader works with group or
followers that are beyond their immediate self-interests for recognising needed change, inspiration, devising
vision and executing change in tandem to committed group members. Elements of transformational leadership
theory are as described in relevance to Jeff Bezos:
Individualised consideration
Inspirational motivation
Idealised influence
Intellectual stimulation

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Transactional theory was first defined by Max Weber and further developed by Bernard Bass
which emphasises towards basic management functions including controlling, organising along
with short term planning. Jeff Bezos works with transactional leadership style so to motivate and
direct workforce of Amazon through appealing towards their self-interest.

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Implementing transactional leadership style, Jeff Bezos moves human resources in organised
manner for ensuring attainment of specific results in typical timeframe.
Transformational leadership theory is system of supervision which garners higher levels of
respect, trust, and admiration.

Distributed leadership
Distributed leadership style is developed by Edwin Hutchins that the model looks on leadership
practice despite of particular responsibilities and roles. The theory states that leadership is all
about mobilising expertise at all business levels to generate more opportunities to change as well
as build improvement capacity.

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Aspects of distributive leadership in context to Jeff Bezos are as follows:
Takes in form of instructional team
Enables and sustain working of team
Do not bifurcate tasks and responsibilities

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Application of distributed leadership theory gives Jeff Bezos more options, retains elements of
traditional commanding chain, shares bigger picture, allows employees to take ownership over
working, provides upward movement opportunities, creates potential for a substantive change,
gives everyone a chance to serve and provides opportunities for mutual learning.

Ethical leadership and Critical leadership
perspectives
Ethical leadership perspective is said to leadership which is directed through respect for ethical
values as well as beliefs towards dignity of others. Principles of ethical leadership perspectives
that are adhered by Jeff Bezos are as follows:
Respect
Service
Justice

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Critical leadership perspective does not make any attempt to change object as well as enhance
efficiency rather emphasises towards subjectivity. Jeff Bezos have cultural leadership perspective
that aims for enhancing collective human agency addition to autonomy for fulfilling human
potential.

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Ethical leadership perspective of Jeff Bezos is directed through promoting normatively suitable
conduct via actions as well as interpersonal relations.
Critical leadership perspectives of Jeff Bezos help people or human resources involved in
Amazon to grow. The leader permits sharing perceptions and learning opportunities to
employees.

Conclusion
From the presentation, it is concluded that leadership and management practices are key for
success of company. Leadership theories are said to explanations of how addition to why certain
people become leaders. Key traits of good leadership are strong ethics, high moral standards and
many more.

References
Baboolal-Frank, R., 2021. ANALYSIS OF AMAZON: CUSTOMER CENTRIC APPROACH. Academy of
Strategic Management Journal. 20. pp.1-16.
Edmondson, A. C. and Besieux, T., 2021. Reflections: Voice and Silence in Workplace Conversations. Journal of
Change Management. pp.1-18.
Harney, B. and Dundon, T., 2020. Amazon: HRM and change in the house of neo-liberalism. In Case Studies in
Work, Employment and Human Resource Management. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Kastner, C., 2021. The Role of a Leader: Transformational Efforts in Innovation and Change. Creating Innovation
Spaces: Impulses for Start-ups and Established Companies in Global Competition. pp.71-84.