Leadership and Wicked Problem

This report discusses the concept of leadership and how it can be used to resolve the wicked problem of poverty. It provides a leadership framework and approach for effective resolution of the problem.

Running head: LEADERSHIP AND WICKED PROBLEM
Leadership and Wicked Problem
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Leadership Issues and Wicked Problem....................................................................................4
Leadership approach and framework.........................................................................................6
Justification of the leadership framework for the resolution of the wicked problem................9
Recommendations....................................................................................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................12

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Executive Summary
This report intends to discuss about the concept of leadership and also the manner in which it
can be used by the various organizations of the contemporary era to resolve the issues that
they are facing at the current moment. For the purpose of this particular report the wicked
problem of poverty has been selected. The report begins with an overview of the leadership
issues which are likely to emerge for the resolution or the mitigation of this particular wicked
problem. In addition to this, the report at the same time discusses a leadership framework or
approach that the various leaders as well as organizations can use for the effective resolution
or the mitigation of this wicked problem. The report at the same time provides justifications
for the use of the chosen leadership framework or approach and also discusses about the way
by which the effectiveness of the concerned framework can be increased. Finally, the report
ends with two recommendations which the leaders can use for the resolution of this wicked
problem, namely, the leaders should take on the job role of the trainers and the mentors.
Additionally, the leaders and the organizations to which they are related to, need to take into
effective consideration the diverse precepts of business ethics.

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Introduction
The machinery of leadership has gained a significant amount of prominence within
the mould of the modern day world. It is the end result of this particular fact that the various
organizations as well as the teams of the contemporary times are increasing taking advantage
of this particular machinery (Randel, German & Ewing, 2017). Furthermore, it is also seen
that the effective use of this notion yields diverse benefits and opportunities which if
exploited in an effective manner can improve the fortunes of the organizations and teams in a
significant manner (Head & Alford, 2015). This is one of the major reasons for the extensive
use of this concept within the domain of the modern-day business world and the emergence
of the diverse kinds of leadership theories further affirms this fact.
It is seen that the role of the various leaders of the modern era have undergone
metamorphosis in the present times and the roles as well as duties that the leaders of the
present era are required to dispense with are drastically different from the traditional ones
(Termeer et al., 2015). Moreover, practical business scenarios reveal the fact that the leaders
of the modern era are required to perform not only the job roles required of the leaders but at
the same time the roles which have been traditionally allocated to the managers (Dentoni &
Bitzer, 2015). In addition to these, with the increase in the responsibilities as well as the job
roles of the leaders the expectations or the intended results that the leaders are supposed to
deliver to the organizations has at the same time increased in a substantial manner.
The complexity of the modern-day world has given rise to diverse kinds of wicked
problems that the leaders need to resolve for the effective working of the team and also the
organizations to which they belong (Peterson et al., 2018). One of the major wicked problems
which have emerged in the recent times and is threatening the status quo of the world is the
social issue of poverty. It is significant to note that because of the unequal distribution of

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wealth in the contemporary society this problem has reached to the extent that the national
economies of the most of the nations of the world are getting affected by it (Willis, 2016).
This report will analyze the way in which the machinery of leadership can be utilized in an
effective manner for the resolution or the mitigation of this wicked problem.
Leadership Issues and Wicked Problem
The primary objective with which the many of the business enterprises of the present
times take the help of the process of leadership is to influence the behavior of the individuals
in the most effective manner. This helps them to achieve the goals or the objectives which
have been outlined for them (Crowley & Head, 2017). Thus, it can be said that through the
effective use of the process of leadership, diverse organizations have been able to increase the
individual performance and the overall organizational performance level of the organization.
However, at the same time it is seen that despite earning an enhanced amount of profit or
revenue these organizations or the leaders do not contribute any significantly towards the
economic growth of the society or the nation in which they are operational (Benzie, Pryce &
Smith, 2017). In addition to this, it is seen that the various leaders like Richard Branson, Bill
Gates and others have even tried to evade the tax which the national governments rightfully
owed (Benzie, Pryce & Smith, 2017). This particular factor and other measures adopted by
the present day leaders have adversely affected the economic growth of the diverse nations of
the world. They have in turn have given rise to and even aggravated the wicked problem of
poverty that the diverse nations of the world are facing at the moment.
Wicked problems refer to the kind of problems which not only seem very difficult or
impossible to mitigate at the current moment because of the nature of their complexity but
also adversely affect the prospects of a nation (Fahey, 2016). Thus, it can be said that the
prospects of any organization or a nation depends to a large extent on the effective mitigation

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or the resolution of the wicked problems that they are facing. The wicked problem under
discussion here, that is, the problem of poverty, is not only adversely affecting the national
economies of the diverse nations of the world but at the same time they are affecting the lives
of the common people of the world as well (Alford & Head, 2017). For example, it is seen
that inspite of the economic growth of the diverse nations of the world more than 64.3% of
the people of the world are still living below the line of poverty (Head, 2018). This not only
leads to malnutrition problems but at the same time it leads to various kind of crimes as well
(Head, 2018). Thus, it can be said that the effective resolution of this problem is of
paramount importance. The prospects of the diverse nations of the world and the business
enterprises depend to a large extent on this factor.
There are various leadership issues that the leaders are likely to encounter for the
resolution or the mitigation of this wicked problem. The primary one among them is likely to
be the fact that the major focus of the diverse organizations of the present times is to gain an
enhanced amount of profit. Thus, if organizations are to work for the reduction in the poverty
level of the world then it is likely to lead to conflict with the original goal of these
organizations (Dalcher, 2016). Secondly, for the resolution or the mitigation of this problem
the various organizations and the leaders who are associated with them would have to pay a
higher amount of tax which in turn would again impact the annual revenues earned by the
concerned organizations (McConnell, 2018). Furthermore, another possible aspect can be to
provide employment options to the poor people however this is likely to impact the quality of
the work that their organization does since it is generally seen that these poor people have
very low level of education and at the same time lack the necessary skills to work in the
diverse multinational companies (Varpio, Aschenbrener & Bates, 2017).

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Leadership approach and framework
One of the major reasons for the magnanimity as well as the seriousness of the
adverse effects that the wicked problem of poverty is posing at the current moment is the
ineffective leadership practices followed by the diverse organizations of the present times
(McMillan & Overall, 2016). The major leadership issues that the resolution of the wicked
problem poses can be related back to the ineffective leadership style followed by the diverse
organizations. For example, one of the major responsibilities of the present-day leaders are to
ensure the fact that the organization to which they are associated to is fulfilling its economic
responsibilities towards the economic growth of the nation (Andrews, 2018). However,
majority of the times it is seen that not only the leaders fail to fulfill this responsibility of
theirs but at the same time take refuge of unethical practices like evasion of taxes and other
similar activities. This in turn adds significantly towards the economic problems faced by the
diverse nations (Geuijen et al., 2017). The money which the various organizations pay to the
governments as tax money is being utilized for bringing about the economic growth of the
concerned nation (Weymouth, 2015). This as a matter of fact has not only emerged as one of
the key aspects of the policy of corporate social responsibility which is being followed by the
diverse business enterprises but at the same time forms one of the core components of the
business ethics as well (Weymouth, 2015). Thus, by not helping in the process of the
economic growth of a nation the organizations are indirectly not only contributing towards
the growth of the wicked problem under discussion here but at the same time failing to
resolve it in an effective manner as well.
A significant job role of the leaders of the present times is to not only provide the
required amount of training to the followers or the subordinates but at the same time to
undertake the role of the mentors as well (Crichton, Walker & Patel, 2018). The wicked
problem under discussion here which is adversely affecting the prospects of the various

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nations as well as the individuals of the world is once again related to the problem of
ineffective leadership practices followed in the diverse organizations (Crichton, Walker &
Patel, 2018). The wicked problem of poverty can be resolved or mitigated in the most
effective manner by provide employment services to the people. However, this is likely to
require the leaders to provide effective training as well as mentoring services to the
subordinates which is likely to take a significant amount of capital and also the resources of
the concerned organization (Blumenstock, Cadamuro & Onn, 2015). This is the fact that
deters the most of the leaders and the organizations to which they are related to, to refrain
from undertaking such activities. However, it needs to be said that if these individuals are
provided with effective training as well as mentoring services by the diverse leaders then they
are likely to help these organizations to overcome the labor issues. This in turn would
contribute in a significant manner towards the annual revenue earned by the concerned
organization.
The concept of CSR has gained unprecedented prominence within the domain of the
business world of the modern era. The concept is generally used by the diverse organizations
not only for the improvement of the brand or the market image that they promote but also to
affect the buying behavior of the customers in a significant manner (Maranga & Sampayo,
2015). Thus, it can be said that the management team as well as the leaders of the various
organizations for the mitigation of this problem would have to improve the market or the
brand image of their organization and create new employment opportunities for the under
privileged people. Therefore, it can be said that the leaders of the various organizations by
taking up this particular issue and also trying to mitigate it are not only likely to help the
world in a significant manner but at the same time they would be able to improve the
prospects of the organization to which they are related in the best possible manner.

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The effective resolution or the mitigation of the wicked problem in a manner which is
agreeable with the various business enterprises is likely to require the various leaders of the
organizations to take the help of effective leadership frameworks (East & Roll, 2015). The
leadership framework which the various leaders follow in a sacrosanct manner is likely to
require the various leaders take into effective consideration the diverse precepts of business
ethics. This will in turn require the diverse leaders and the organizations to effectively follow
the diverse precepts of business ethics and also CSR policies which in turn will help them in
bringing about the economic growth of the societies and also the diverse nations of the world.
Furthermore, the leaders at the same time will have to take on the role of the trainers and also
mentors so that they would be able to provide the required key skills or the job skills to the
individuals. This in turn is likely to help the individuals to work in a manner that is not only
likely to help them to sustain themselves but also help the concerned organization to become
a profitable one. However, it needs to be said that this is likely to take a significant amount of
effort on the part of both the management team of the business enterprises and the leaders.
The various leaders can take the help of the framework of the “distributive leadership
approach” for the resolution or the mitigation of the wicked problem under discussion here.
The primary focus of this approach is not only on the actors or the followers but also on the
tasks which are being assigned to them (Maranga & Sampayo, 2015). Thus, by its focus on
the tasks or the jobs that not only the leaders but the followers as well have to perform it
provides the required opportunity to the diverse leaders to resolve the wicked problem under
discussion here. Furthermore, by integrating the above-mentioned actions into the framework
of this approach the diverse leaders can solve the wicked problem in a much effective
manner.

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Justification of the leadership framework for the resolution of the wicked problem
The leadership framework which has been proposed for the resolution of the wicked
problem under discussion here is likely to resolve the wicked problem in a significant
manner. One of the major reasons for the wicked problem under discussion here that the
world is facing at the current moment is the factor of un-employability (Heifetz & Linsky,
2017). Many experts are of the viewpoint that this is one of the primary reasons for the
unequal distribution of the wealth in the world in the present times and this in turn has given
rise to the wicked problem of poverty in the present times (Peterson et al., 2018). Thus, it can
be said that providing job opportunities to the people who do not have access to the desired
kind of jobs is likely to help meet the basic standards of living of such individuals in a
significant manner. Furthermore, by providing the required kind of job skills the leaders as
well as the organizations can ensure that these individuals are being able to contribute in a
significant manner towards the growth of the concerned organization. This in turn can help
them to overcome the labor issues that many of the business organizations are facing at the
current moment. This will also provide them the opportunity to earn a much higher amount of
revenue (Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2016).
The effective resolution of this wicked problem is not only likely to help the various
organizations to further enhance the brand or the market image which they have, but at the
same time this would help them in a significant manner to follow the various precepts of
business ethics as well (Randel, German & Ewing, 2017). The diverse business enterprises
have an ethical responsibility to contribute a positive value towards the cause of the
environment and the planet. One of the major responsibilities of the business organizations in
this regard is to help in bringing about the economic growth of the world (Head & Alford,
2015). Thus, by contributing in a positive manner towards the resolution of this particular
problem the leaders and the organizations can help in the economic growth of the world.. The

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modern-day customers opt for the services offered by an organization only if they boost of a
positive market image (Willis, 2016). Thus, the resolution of this issue is likely to help the
organizations in this regard as well
The distributive leadership approach through its focus on the tasks performed by the
leaders and by the followers provides the required kind of opportunity to the organizations
and also the leaders for the resolution of the wicked problem. It is pertinent to note in this
context that the focus of this particular approach is not only on the tasks but also on the
effective distribution of the tasks as well as the responsibilities. This is likely to help the
diverse organizations and the leaders to effectively resolve the wicked problem of poverty
through the effective distribution of tasks and providing adequate employment opportunities
to the individuals.
Recommendations
For the effective resolution of the wicked problem under discussion here the leaders
can assume the role of both the leaders and the managers. It is significant to note that the role
of providing training belongs to the HRM department of an organization. However, if this job
role is being attributed to the leaders then they will be able to provide individual personalized
training to the followers along with the mentoring services that they normally are required to
provide to the followers. This is likely to enable the followers to perform in a much better
way which will in turn prove to be much more effective for the concerned organization.
The leaders as well as the organization to which they belong at the same time can
follow the various stipulations and the precepts of the concept of business ethics. This is
likely to not only help them to improve the market image which they enjoy in the business
market but at the same time will enable them to resolve the issue as well. This is important

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since the focus of the modern customers is on brand image and thus the concerned
organization is likely to have a chance to earn extra amount of profit.
Conclusion
To conclude, the machinery of leadership has become an indispensible entity within
the framework of the modern business world and if utilized in an effective manner can
provide diverse benefits to the organizations. One of the major benefits that the effective use
of the concept of leadership can provide to the various organizations and the contemporary
world is the fact that they can help them to not only mitigate but at the same time to resolve
the diverse wicked problems that the world is facing at the current moment. The wicked
problem of poverty is perhaps one of the major problems that the world is facing at the
current moment and the effective use of the machinery of leadership is likely to enable the
world and the diverse business enterprises to resolve this issue in a significant manner.
However, at the same time it needs to be said that this is likely to take added initiative on the
part of the leaders as well as the organizations to which they belong.

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