Leadership Theories and Evaluation of Kevin Johnson's Leadership Style at Starbucks

This report discusses various leadership theories and their application in an organizational context. It also evaluates Kevin Johnson's leadership style at Starbucks and provides recommendations for improvement. The report focuses on servant leadership and the challenges faced in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business environment.

Leading Business Organisation
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TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................4
1. Systematic understanding of leadership theories...............................................................4
2 Ability to Evaluate the Contribution in Executing Mission and Vision of Organization
Leaders...................................................................................................................................5
3. Ability to apply leadership strategies to maximize organizational potential.....................5
4. Ability to evaluate motivational theories within organizational environment for leaders6
5. Potential leadership style....................................................................................................7
2. MANAGEMENT REPORT (STARBUCKS).............................................................................8
Introduction to the report........................................................................................................8
B. Overview of the servant leadership and challenges...........................................................8
C.Critical Appraisal of Kevin Johnson’s Leadership style...................................................9
D. About Johnson’s Strong Personal Brand as an appropriate global leader.......................12
E. Recommendations............................................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................15
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Introduction
Leadership is related with the individual action that is used for purpose of motivating people
so that they are working towards a common takes to achieve them in the course of performing
organisations overall functions. It is an art that is used for motivation of overall workforce so that
they can achieve some commonly laid goals. Leadership plays a very crucial role in this context.
The present report has been divided in two parts he first part consist of the reflection of various
leadership approaches for an organisation and second part is based on the case study of
Starbucks and its leader who is willing to help their workforce in accomplishment of various task
and responsibilities.. Further there is a detail discussion on Starbucks as a brand which was
started in the year 1971 and its headquarters are present in Seattle that is in Washington. There
has been a critical evaluation that has been performed of the leadership styles adopted by Kevon
Johnson and recommendations based on his overall style adopted (Küpers, 2016).
TASK 1
REFLECTION
1. Systematic understanding of leadership theories
A. What are the two basic questions that leaders ask to themselves?
The first aspect that has to be analysed and is also mention in data provided is how
various services that are being offered to customers can be customized and the second is
related with the allocation of resources in such a manner that there is proper analysis of
various external and internal environmental factors.
B. What are the two aspect of leadership?
The two main aspects of the leadership are related with the individual consideration and
also to intellectual stimulation.
C. What is leadership theory?
Leadership theory is all about the hypothesis and the traits that actually help in describing
how can a particular individual can be convey into effective leaders.
D. Name two different types of leadership styles that are appropriate for business
environment?
There are many different types of leadership styles but the most commonly used styles
are transformational and participative style o leadership.
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E. Why do aspiring leaders need complete understanding about leadership style?
For becoming an effective leader it is very important to adopt a particular style of
leadership style and to possess knowledge of each different type of leadership style so
that leader can select a particular style according to their requirements.
2 Ability to Evaluate the Contribution in Executing Mission and Vision of Organization Leaders
A. What is organization’s Mission and Vision?
Vision is related to the long terms objective that is an ideal growth or an achievement that
has to be done by an organisation and their leaders towards their goals. Mission on the
other hand is the major purpose for the reason behind the existence of the organisation.
B. What contribution can personal make in execution of the overall Mission and
Vision?
Organisation can achieve some goals so that workforce can play a significant role
towards the mission and their set vision of the organisation.
C. What contribution does leader make in executing mission and vision?
Leaders are the motivation for their workforce they help in development of various
strategies for achievement of objectives and then direct their overall workforce towards
mission and vision of organisation.
D. What contribution does a stakeholder make in executing the mission and vision?
The entire stakeholder makes a very significant contribution towards achievement of the set
mission. Such as all the stakeholders whether related internally and externally such as
government, customers, creditors, debtors, employees, investors play a part on helping in smooth
functioning of an organisation (Storey, 2016).
E. What do leaders need to make evaluation of contributions?
Leaders need to make a detailed evaluation of the overall contribution being made by
each employee for reduction of conflicts and improvement of employee performance in a
respective area.
3. Ability to apply leadership strategies to maximize organizational potential
A. What is leadership style?
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Leadership style can be regarded as a method for various styles of leaders so that
overall guidance can be provided to direct and implement various strategies. It is a
style of leadership that can influence behaviour of employees to achieve such
organisational goals.
B. What is change leadership?
Change leadership is relation with the overall ability of leaders about how to motivate
their workforce with help of a vision or a personal approval is that the available
resources with the organisation can be utilised in a moiré effective manner.
Leadership is one of the most important requirements for invitation of change in a
organisation.
C. What is organizational potential?
Organisational potential can be related with the development of a positive and
comfortable environment at the workplace so that it can help in achievement of the
laid down goals.
D. What is business context?
Business context can be regarded as the factors that are affecting the working of a
organisation in both internally and externally. It is also related with the effective
achievement of various laid down task and activities.
E. Why do leaders need to understand leadership strategies that are applied in
different business context?
Leaders have to make acknowledgment of various leadership strategies and
communicate the mission and vision of their organisation to their employees.
4. Ability to evaluate motivational theories within organizational environment for
leaders
A. What is motivational theory?
Motivational theory is a activity in concern with individual for identification of what is the
behaviour that drives a individual towards to perform bets of their present level of potential, it is
regarded as the theories that are used for encouraging people and making them work towards
their respective goals (Schaltegger and Burritt, 2018).
B. What are two categories of motivational theories?
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The major theories are Extrinsic and Intrinsic
C. What is another term for employee motivation?
Equity theory is another term that is associated with employee motivation
D. What is appreciative inquiry technique?
Appreciative inquiry is a basic technique that is an effective approach used for
bringing organisational change and leadership development. It is also used for making
a analysis of the condition in which, employees are working and willing to make some
improvements.
E. Why do leaders need to critically evaluate different motivational theories within
specific context of organization?
Leaders have to make an analysis of the different motivational theories for motivating and
encouraging their employees (Boyce and Ville, 2017).
5. Potential leadership style
A. Define potential leadership style?
Potential leadership style is a style in which leaders have to become more professional in
those areas of an organisation where a workforce is already engaged. It is related with accepting
some responsibilities and more new challenges. Leadership potential is a combined of two major
aspects that is improvement of efficiency of employees and motivating them (Shollo and
Galliers, 2016).
B. What are key strengths?
There are many key strength of a leader such as they must possess self-awareness.
Effective communication skills are also a biggest strength. Conflict resolution is also
a technique of a leader to deal with various challenges.
B. What are the key challenges?
Leaders are facing certain changes such as that can possess a daily impact on their overall
functioning. If nay change is brought in the organisation that has to be adopted with high amount
of carefulness so that employees can deal positively with overall changing environmental
conditions.
C. What personal development is needed to develop leadership abilities?
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Personal development is related to the development of certain leadership abilities that can
help a leader in development for enhancement of their skills. Personal development consists of
qualities of discipline, and a positive attitude towards various challenges. Personal development
aspects also consist of leaders willing to motivate other with high amount of patients and be a
good communicator (Inigo, Albareda and Ritala, 2017).
2. MANAGEMENT REPORT (STARBUCKS)
Introduction to the report
This report shows the description regarding the outline of Servant Leadership Style as well
as regarding challenges that is related with working in the unstable, ambiguous as well as
difficult environment. In assistance of this, there is a critical assessment of Kevin Johnson’s
Style of Leadership that increases the performance level of Starbucks at marketplace. In addition
to this, there are different types of ethical challenges as well as opinion of present as well as
previous employees within business organisation. Moreover, there are description regarding
brand and appropriate international leader. Beside from this, the recommendations connected to
Johnson‘s is given which build the sustainability level in the company. At last, the conclusion of
report is given in suitable manner (Pithouse, 2019).
B. Overview of the servant leadership and challenges
Leadership is regarded as the procedure which can help professionals in controlling and
getting immediate impact of the guidance towards achievement of organisation overalls objective
(Shao, Feng, and Hu, 2017). Authority is regarded as the capability of supervisors to make their
employees adjust themselves in the working environment. With the use of some effective skills
mangers must possess authority to deal with all the aspects to provide effective results to the
organisation in a more appropriate manner. Workforce has to critically perform all the duties so
that they can be performed with higher accuracy.
Servant leadership style: It is a leadership style that is helping an individual in interacting
with others to accomplish there has to make adoption of proper authoritative structure. The
major aim is to service towards the organisation Leadership is also based on overall belief of
all the leaders to acquire and make use of power.
Servant leadership style was designed by Robert Greenleaf in the 20th century and he
believed in creation of a customary style of leadership so that they can concentrate towards
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different authorities’ between representatives and higher authorities. According to his way of
thinking there are various leadership initiates that help in having a proper view of an organisation
(Zhao, Hwang, and Lee, 2016). Certain conditions and situation in Starbucks also involved in
adoption of servant leadership style so that it can be applied in a better manner as discussed
below:
Volatile: It is a term that is associated with how quality can be expanded in a more
appropriate manner. Such as in case of star bucks there is separation of items in more number of
categories that is highly unpredictable. By the use of servant leadership style this organisation
will be able to decrease the overlapping of various activities and help in having more
effectiveness in the organisation.
Uncertain: It is related with the benefit and threat probability that is used for developing
vulnerability (Shields, 2017). In case of star bucks company has to utilise the calibre in their
variants such as espresso and Arabic which is main aspect of their coffee drink, starburst is a
major espresso brand and they are also working on the cold coffee brand. In case of vulnerability
this brand is applying various leadership styles to accomplish and achieve various objective of
company.
Complex: There are many complex situations that can arise in a business organisation for this
there is a requirement to concentrate on expansion of their overall revenue, for sorting all such
issues there must be use of servant leadership style so that they can offer high quality espresso.
Ambiguous: with the application of servant leadership style starburst has announced that they
are allowing people to sit in their physical area even if person is not buying anything (Larsson,
and et.al 2015). It is helping in removing overall ambiguity in the application of leadership style
in the organisation.
By use of above discussed aspects it can be said that in star bucks there is proper
implementation of new arrangements and methods along with the leadership style which is
helping them in attracting of more customers.
Critical Appraisal of Kevin Johnson’s Leadership style.
Outlining Leadership Styles as indicated by Kevin Johnson’s
Leadership Style undertakes elementary work so that it imposes direct impact on
subordinates within business organisation. It helps them in increasing goal and objective within
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stipulated period of time. According to the point of view of Johnson of Starbucks, there are
different types of initiative style in the company. In addition to this, the manager constantly has
prosperous as well as describing perception in order to improve brilliant business charm in the
market. There is different kind of leadership style which is used to increase progress that helps in
handling difficult situation of business organisation in an effective manner. And also, it assists in
giving appropriate services that generate favourable atmosphere within business organisation.
Beside from this, there are different kinds of leadership style which is divided into three parts
that is going to be mentioned below:
Ethical
Depend on different style of Leadership, Johnson focuses on making an appropriate
choice so as to identify various qualities which included equality and concern, obligation as well
as genuineness. It helps in increasing the level of confidence and morale of employees within
business organisation. And also, it enhances productivity as well as profitability level at
workplace (Moratis and Cochius, 2017).
Benefits
 Herein, the supervisor of business firm focuses on adopting effective style of leadership
that helps in increasing the satisfaction as well as motivation level of workforce at
marketplace. It helps them in increasing performance level of employees within business
organisation in an effective manner.
 The business firm use participative style of leadership in which they provide
opportunities to employees in taking part in decision making process which will be
advantageous for business organisation can be considered as main vision which is made
by Johnson towards Starbucks.
 The effective leadership style helps in motivating employees towards goals and objective
of business organisation at marketplace. This is one of the reason of success and growth
of Starbucks in upcoming period of time.
Drawbacks
 Sometime, the supervisor of Starbucks can’t accept entire things so that it decreases the
trust level of employees that reduces the benefit of business firm.
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 The manager does not make effective strategies and tactics for increasing the knowledge
regarding competitive strategies that is so one of the reason of decline in sales and profit
in future period of time.
Authentic
It is based upon specific as well as reasonable tactics through which Johnson make any
enquiry related to various devices to maintain representative’s implementations towards
performing the work in well-defined manner (Boshyk, 2016).
 Through the use of this theory, Johnson can boost profitability level of business firm at
marketplace. It also helps them in achieving goal and objective of the company in
stipulated period of time. In addition to this, it assists in performing different activities
and task in better way as well developing the morale and confidence level of workforce at
marketplace.
Cons
 The drawback of this approach is container disarray in agent’s brain and decreasing their
confidence towards working spot. Therefore, it is necessary for Johnson to adopt this
approach that helps them in tackling these challenges in better way.
Democratic Leadership Style
The democratic leadership style is considered as a participative style of leadership.
Herein, the supervisor provides opportunity to their staffs in taking appropriate decision that
helps in increasing the motivation level of employees at workplace. There are some benefits as
well as drawbacks of using this style which is going to be mentioned below:
Advantages
 The main advantage of using participative style of leadership is it increases motivation
and satisfaction level of employees towards achieving goal and objective of organisation
in short span of time.
 The manager directs the team towards issues and problems which occur within business
organisation that helps them in resolving the things in better way so as to achieve
favourable outcomes in an effective manner.
Drawbacks
 The adverse impact of this style of leadership is, the business firm can’t make spreads
with the objective that they are not prepared to handle issues in an appropriate manner.
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Therefore, Johnson requires possessing various working feelings so as to resolve the
problems effectively.
Herein, it is necessary for Starbucks to bring innovative methodologies within business
organisation so as to accomplish goal and objective in stipulated period of time. In present
scenario, the issues and problems which is faced by Starbucks is that there are wide range of
individual person who provide their cooperation that is the big achievement for the business firm
in proper manner. It assists them in increasing level of income and profit at marketplace.
D. About Johnson’s Strong Personal Brand as an appropriate global leader.
Kevin Johnson is considered as an American representative as well as CEO of Starbucks
Company. He started his profession as a software engineer then he worked as a system engineer
at IBM. Afterward, Johnson progressed on Los Alamos secondary school in the year of 1978.
After this, he moved on to New Mexico Institute in Business Administration. Therefore, Johnson
tells to every individual person to focus on whole portion of association so as to deal with
different situation in an effective manner. And also, it helps them in increasing their image and
goodwill at marketplace (Axelsson and Easton, 2016).
Pros
Along with this, there are various individual persons must settle on good choices towards
innovative tactics that helps in achieving goal and objective in targeted period of time. In
addition to this, there are various promotional techniques such as advertising; publicity as well as
sales promotion which are used by manager of Starbucks in order to resolve the issues and
problems faced by clients at marketplace. It helps in increasing sales as well as profitability level
in future period of time. The main aim of manager is to earn more and more profit within
business organisation. Beside from this, they offer products and services according to the
changing need as well as preferences of customer that helps them in increasing their satisfaction
level at workplace. It helps in achieving leading position in front of customer at workplace. And
also it helps in accomplishing vision and mission of business organisation in stipulated period of
time.
E. Recommendations
For betterment of stages of victory and to enhance the modification in the sustainability level
of the company, several recommendations about the following concerns is made available as
under to Starbucks:
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 First is about making better changes in such ways that provide a great solution to their
needs as well as preferences by delivering improved products and services. To know
what exactly the customers want is a great way of satisfying their needs through better
resources. It also helps the company to gain more market. Customers are the real rulers
on which the industry is based, thus it is essential to keep their choices up for desirable
results and improved turnover.
 In order to make better modifications, the second recommendation can be to think about
bringing more updates in online shopping software and ordering facility in the website so
that the clients can directly order the products and services from there with ease. It can be
such as providing more options of payments, free coupons for new customers & referral
bonus. This approach can surely bring a positive outcome for the company.
 After having a great response in the current locations, the company should look forward
to other places too for its expansion. This will not help it in gaining more sales and
revenue but also provide increased reach to the new customers. The company can study
for potential areas by surveys and market research in order to choose new locations.
 To gain a competitive advantage, the organisation can also look for new and innovative
products to add in the menu. Food and beverages are the second most demanding
products of Starbucks after coffee. Adding more dishes of customers’ choice can work as
a great and effective tool. This method will not only provide a variety to customers but
also improve the popularity of company.
 Another recommendation for the organisation can be considered as looking into its
marketing campaigns. Effective marketing campaigns through social media would attract
more customers to buy its products and services whereas sending regular emails with
exciting offers can help in recalling the old ones who have not been in touch for a very
long time.
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CONCLUSION
Thus by analysing the above descriptive study, it can be assumed that leadership style plays
a great role in the growth and development of an organisation. Choosing the right type of
leadership technique not only influences the subordinates to work better but also bring a smooth
coordination among the team workers. It is necessary for the team leader or manager of the
company to take right decisions in order to benefit its organisation and the team members. An
effective team leader keeps influencing its subordinates by regular motivation and support.
Having proper knowledge about types of leadership styles and choosing the right one after
understanding organisation’s needs can requirements can make a big move. It can surely help the
company in achieving desired outcomes and revenues in an expected period of time. It increases
brand image and reputation of company in mind-set of customer. In addition to this, it also
enhances sales as well as profitability level within business organisation.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Boshyk, Y. ed., 2016. Business driven action learning: Global best practices. Springer.
Boyce, G. and Ville, S., 2017. The development of modern business. Macmillan International
Higher Education.
Inigo, E.A., Albareda, L. and Ritala, P., 2017. Business model innovation for sustainability:
Exploring evolutionary and radical approaches through dynamic capabilities. Industry
and Innovation, 24(5), pp.515-542.
Küpers, W., 2016. A handbook of practical wisdom: Leadership, organization and integral
business practice. Routledge.
Larsson, and et.al 2015. Leadership in civil engineering: Effects of project managers’ leadership
styles on project performance. Journal of management in engineering, 31(6), p.04015011.
Moratis, L. and Cochius, T., 2017. ISO 26000: The business guide to the new standard on social
responsibility. Routledge.
Pithouse, A., 2019. Social work: The social organisation of an invisible trade. Routledge.
Schaltegger, S. and Burritt, R., 2018. Business cases and corporate engagement with
sustainability: Differentiating ethical motivations. Journal of Business Ethics, 147(2),
pp.241-259.
Shao, Z., Feng, Y. and Hu, Q., 2017. Impact of top management leadership styles on ERP
assimilation and the role of organizational learning. Information & Management, 54(7),
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Shields, 2017. Transformative leadership in education: Equitable and socially just change in an
uncertain and complex world. Routledge.
Shollo, A. and Galliers, R.D., 2016. Towards an understanding of the role of business
intelligence systems in organisational knowing. Information Systems Journal, 26(4),
pp.339-367.
Storey, D.J., 2016. Understanding the small business sector. Routledge.
Zhao, X., Hwang, B.G. and Lee, H.N., 2016. Identifying critical leadership styles of project
managers for green building projects. International Journal of Construction
Management, 16(2), pp.150-160.
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