Leadership Styles and Theories: A Case Study of Richard Branson

This presentation explores the leadership styles and theories of Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur and business magnate. It discusses autocratic and laissez-faire leadership styles, transactional and transformational leadership theories, and Branson's own leadership traits and skills. The presentation also examines Branson's portrayal in the media, his successes and failures, and offers reflections on effective leadership.

Leadership & Leading
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INTRODUCTION
Leadership refers tot he ability of an individuals or a group that is able to influence as
well as guide others in an effective manner. Leadership involves making optimal decisions as
well as establishing a clear vision in order to achieve goals and objectives. For the following
presentation Richard Branson has been chosen as a leader who is a British entrepreneur and
business magnate. The following presentation will highlight and discuss various leadership styles
and theories as well as self-reflection in order tom understand my own leadership traits and
skills.
MAINBODY
Discussing leadership styles and Theories.
There are various leadership styles as well as theories that define a leader and their
abilities to guide and influence others in an effective manner. It is crucial for a leader to utilize
an appropriate style of leadership in order to influence individuals in a suitable way. In addition
to this the leadership theories allow a leader to ensure that they are able to develop positive
relations with their subordinates relative to the situation (Johnson and Hackman., 2018). Given
below are few leadership theories and styles:
Leadership styles:
The style of leadership refers to overall characteristic as well as behaviour of a leader
when directing and motivating others. Some leadership styles are elaborated below:
Autocratic:
This style of leadership provides optimal power to the leaders relative to decision
making. The leaders that adopts this particular style have high level of command and control
over their subordinates.
Liassez-Faire:
This leadership style is opposite to autocratic. The approach of this styles involves the
least amount of oversight and the leadership that adopt this style allow their subordinates to
make majority of the decisions in order to promote innovation and effective decision making
relative to complex situations.
Leadership theories:
Transactional leadership theory:
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This theory is also refers as management theories or exchange theories. It consists the
role of supervision, organization as well as teamwork. The leaders that use this theory focus on
the aspect of reward and punishments as a basis for their leadership actions.
Transformational leadership theory:
This leadership theory is also known as relationship theory and focuses on relationship
between the leader and subordinates. The theory enables a leader to be inspiring as well as
charismatic in order to encourage others and transform them to be effective in performing given
task (Cheong and et. al., 2019).
Reflection
What makes Richard Branson a leader.
Richard Branson has a specific leadership style that allows him to be unlike any other in
the retail industry. He take joy in his work and takes on challenges in order to achieve
innovation. As a leader he focuses on making his employees feel valued in order to keep them
motived and work towards his vision and goals (Richards Branson).
Discussing which specific leadership model and theory describe Richard Branson.
Richard Branson bases his leadership on transformational leadership theory as he is able
to rise in time of distress and major challenges. This also helps Richard Branson to reflect on his
social values in order to motive this employees in being productive.
Leadership style of Richard Branson.
The leadership style utilized by Richard Branson is Laisser-faire as he believes in letting
individuals learn from their own mistakes. Although he sets the goals and objective for a
particular as well as offers guidance, but expects his team to reach the goals by themselves.
Characteristics and traits.
There are various traits that are possessed by Richard Branson that allow them to be an
effective leader. Some of these traits are elaborated below:
Time wasting destroys leaders:
Richard Branson focuses of effective time management in order to prioritize this work in
an effective manner. This allows him to be highly productive and enhance this performance
( Richard Branson leadership skills and qualities).
Work-life balance:
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He pays emphasis on maintaining a work life balance in order to avoid demotivation as it
can impact his employees as well. He focuses on promoting the same for his employees in order
to maintain a positive work environment.
Delegate the small stuff:
Richard Branson focuses on dealing small work in order to ensure that all tasks are
performed in an optimal manner. In addition to this, it allows them to reduce the work stress of
this employees and ensure that they stay motivated to work.
How is Richard Branson portrayed in the media.
Richard Branson has a positive image in the media as he is portrayed as in inventors and
visionary within the business world. This helps Richard Branson to develop a positive leadership
image and influence his employees in an effective manner. In addition to this, the media
portrayed him as competitive as well as a risk taker in the market who is willing to push the set
boundaries in order to achieve innovation.
What are the successes and failures of Richard Branson.
Success of Richard Branson:
Richard Branson has been successful various industries and stands at the estimated net
worth of $4.8 billion. In addition to this, he is the owner of airlines, record lab;es along with
hotels and various other companies in the market. This has allowed him to be successful and
achieve his set goals (Will Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic jaunt boost space tourism).
Failures of Richard Branson:
Richard Branson has had his fair share of failures that include Virgin Cola, Virgin
Cosmetics along with selling of Virgin Records. Among these Virgin Cola has been the biggest
failure of Richard Branson as it was massively unpopular with barley 0.5 percent of market share
in the United States.
CONCLUSION
From the above presentation it can be concluded, that is is crucial for a leader to adopt a
leadership styles that is aligned with their particular characteristic as well as traits. In addition to
this, a leader should uses a leadership theory that is best suitable form them as it will allow them
to better guide and influence others. Moreover, the presentation was able to highlight how
Richard Branson is a effective leaders with various traits that make him a great leaders in the
market.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals:
Cheong and et. al., 2019. A review of the effectiveness of empowering leadership. The
Leadership Quarterly, 30(1), pp.34-58.
Johnson, C. E. and Hackman, M. Z., 2018. Leadership: A communication perspective. Waveland
Press.
Online:
Richards Branson.,2021.[Online]Available through<https://www.forbes.com/profile/richard-
branson/>
Richard Branson leadership skills and qualities.,[Online]Available
through<https://www.liveandlearnconsultancy.co.uk/top-5-richard-branson-tips-for-success/>
Will Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic jaunt boost space tourism.,2021.[Online]Available
through<https://www.economist.com/business/2021/07/15/will-sir-richard-bransons-virgin-
galactic-jaunt-boost-space-tourism>
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