Critical Reflection on Leadership: Tessa Clarke and Olio

This report offers a critical reflection on the leadership of Tessa Clarke, the co-founder of Olio, a food-sharing mobile application. It begins with an introduction to leadership and provides background information on Tessa Clarke and Olio. The main body delves into various leadership theories, including behavioral, contingency, great man, management, participative, power, and relationship theories, analyzing how these theories apply to Clarke's leadership style and her influence on Olio's employees and business practices. The report also examines the leadership models used by Clarke. The report's conclusion summarizes the key findings and provides an overall evaluation of Clarke's leadership effectiveness. This analysis is based on her dedication, passion, and ability to manage Olio's business practices, making her a successful business leader. The report utilizes various leadership theories to justify Clarke as a leader and their appropriateness to lead their organization.

A Critical
Reflection(leadership)

Table of Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
About leader..............................................................................................................................1
Leadership theories used by leader.........................................................................................1
Leadership models used by leader...........................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Leadership is referred as research area as well as practical skills which encompasses ability
of an individual, company as well as groups in order to lead, influence and direct other
individuals. As it is referred as a process through which an executive could direct, influence as
well as guide behaviours or work of employees in order to achieve specific goals and objectives
of company (Brawley, 2019). It basically refers to an ability of managers which induces
subordinates to work through zeal and confidence. This report is based on critical reflection on
leadership of Tessa Clarke who is a business leader and co founder of Olio which is a mobile
application of food sharing, carrying its business practices in reducing food waste. It is a free
application which connects neighbours and individuals with others also along with local shops so
that surplus food and other items which could be shared. This report includes background of
leader, leadership theories used by leader, leadership models used by leader along with its
conclusion.
MAIN BODY
About leader.
As per the viewpoint of Libby Williams, 2021, Tessa Clarke began her career in corporate
global world by working for various companies like Boston Consulting Group, Dyson before
deciding to be investing her time as well as energy in solving a global issue and challenge. Tessa
along with cofounder Saasha Celestial both thought and carried up an idea about idea of food
sharing application between neighbours which helps in eliminating food waste. And as a result
Tessa Clarke envisaged sharing food with her neighbours which kept foundation of Olio. Along
with that there are various leadership theories as well as leadership models which is implemented
by leader in order to influence behaviours and guide employees and workers of Olio company. It
has been critically analysed that Tessa Clarke is carrying its business practices effectively and
has proved herself to be successful business leader for their company (Burns and Mooney2018).
As this Tessa Clarke is dedicated as well as passionate about its working, managing and carrying
things in her own way. These practices makes Tessa Clarke a successful business leader in area
of business in corporate business world.
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Leadership theories used by leader.
As the leadership theories gives the explanation how some of the peoples can be the
leaders. So, they are focusing on the traits and behaviours of the peoples that can adopted by the
leaders of the organisation. Now in the context of Tessa Clarke the founder of Olio, how the
leadership style is followed by them for managing the organisation in the proper manner. The
leadership theories is as follows:
Behavioural theory- The behavioural theory is keep focusing on how the leaders are
behaving ,and critically thinking about the traits is followed by the other leaders.
Sometimes this theory is also called the style theory. This theory is giving suggestions
to the Tessa Clarke to manage their organisations effectively by using their effective
leadership style by using their behavioural pattern of the theory. Because sometimes
behaviour is the most effective way to lead the companies (Buzo, 2018). The company
owner is get observed by their qualities in the organisation, that how the leaders are
managing the things by using the critically analysis of the effective qualities that can
influence their employee easily for doing their task in the proper way. Also the leaders
sometimes copy the styles of other leaders because to make their organisation
successfully. But this also means that within the organisation the real behaviour of the
leaders actually matters very much, because this style help the leaders to think
individually as per the organisation. This also help the leader Tessa Clarke because they
run the business of waste food. So this, will helpful for them to manage the organisation,
by applying different styles and method to the organisation and helps to influence their
employees to run the organisation and also cooperate them to mange every problem
within the organisation. Contingency theory- the contingency leadership theory, is also called the situational
theory. This helps to overcome with the situations, if certain issues comes into the
organisation. This helps the leaders to handle the different situations in order to success
and failures of the organisations. The leaders qualities is direct have an impact on the
situations in order to lead an organisation in an effective way. This is style is totally
different from the personality of the leaders, because this totally depends on the
situational skills of the leaders. Because sometimes the leaders can not able to perform at
the time when the organisation need the leaders to resolve the problems. This theory
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also do focus on the specific leadership styles and gives an idea to perform effectively
within the organisation. Although the good leader like Tessa Clarke running their
business in food sector, they have to manage sometimes the situations, because as the
food sometimes less and the demand is much high. At the time, as the leader of the
organisation, they have to perform and resolve the problem with the help of critically
analyse the situations. By applying this theory does not give much more time to think in
the proper way. The leaders performs and take their decisions in a very few time to
overcome the problem. This theory also do not give time to the psychology of the
employees, the leaders have to influence them in the very less time. This situation theory
is also best for choosing the right leaders within the organisation. This also not do focus
on how the leadership style can change by the time as per the need of the organisation the
leaders has to take the decisions within the organisations. There are also factors matter in
the organisation, there is some external and internal factor that also involves the customer
felling after the critically analysis that how the leaders can handle the situation on the
market palace. Great man theory- the great man theory of the leadership, is also called the trait theory.
this proves that great leaders are born. This type of leaders have the inner trait to handle
the things within the organisation, the leaders are the strong interpersonal skills that prove
them a good leader (Douglass, 2018). And this things can learn by the Tessa Clarke, how
to perform within the organisation and this leadership also suggests the leaders can
handle the situations because they are capable to handle the particular situation. Because,
those leaders have ability to resolve the problems. This theory also did not matches the
actual psychology of the leaders, because they are proved himself as a good leaders
within the organisation. There is some of the criticism of the trait theory. This great man
theory helps the Tessa Clarke to enhance their traits and skills to perform within the
organisation in the effective manner. So, there is no other problem is caused further in the
organisation. This theory the leaders have high level of determination and also the they
are ambitious toward their organisation. Management theory- the management theory is also called the transactional theory of
leadership, this helps the leaders Tessa Clarke to critically manage the supervision,
organization and the performance of the group. By the help of transactional leadership
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theory, the leaders do focus on systems of rewards and punishment. This is the reason
transactional leadership is used in the business on the regular basis and leaders can
critically analyse the behaviour of the employees ( Zuraik and Kelly, 2019). Although,
this is useful leadership styles for leaders and as well as the employees of the
organisations. The psychology does not give permission to human beings for doing things
for obtaining the rewards. The management leadership style can very much effective, this
also gives the positive impacts on the business for working effectively within the
organisation. But this gives the lots of criticism in the leadership and boost the morale of
the employee. This can also be seen as the lazy leadership styles in which the employees
is fully dependent on the rewards and punishment given by the leaders for their work into
the organisation (Ellis, 2018). As the leader Tessa Clarke do focus on giving the cash or
bonus for employees who complete their goals on the given time.
 Participative theory- participative theory follows the leadership style that is not common
in the business world. This leadership theory is informing that leadership has the direct
involvement for making decisions into the organisations. The leader Tessa Clarke simply
involves their employees in the conversation and then accordingly takes the decisions
within the organisations. This helps to giving the leader direct responsibilities to their
employees for doing their work effectively to the organisation. This helps to feel
employees more motivated in order to completing the task effectively within the
organisation. This participative theory is highly effective and get the things done on time.
As well as this theory also influence the employees for sharing their honest thoughts
about the organisation. The leaders take all the suggestions, and try to meet with the other
leaders to discuss the problem within the organisation. Although, the greatest positive
things of the theories that it does not do follow their long term goals, they do follow the
short term goals within the organisations. This also do not focus on the outcomes they
only do the work on the given deadlines.
 Power theory- this theory utilizes their power of influencing and get things done by their
employees on the given deadline. This theory is considered as the highly effective theory.
The leaders of the theory has the great power to get the work done timely. Although,
most of the employees do not want to understand the power of leadership. The French
and Raven's five forms of power is popularly known for the influencing power theory of
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leadership. In this particular theory the company or leaders see the way to influence the
changes that gives an impact in order to gain the success over the challenges (Hart, and
Tummers, 2019). So, gives the leader Tessa Clarke the proper overview and knowledge
about the power and how,as a leader can use this theory to influence their employee for
obtaining the result within the organisations.
 Relationship theory- there are various advantages for this kind of leaders. Employees
always feel confident due to the style of the leaders. This also influence the other leaders
to be the good leaders in the eyes of the other leaders. But these leaders also not include
their relationship at the time of work. Although, most of the experts has agreed about the
relationship because this can change the mind of the employee, and encouraged the
employees for doing their work in effective way within the organisation. The relationship
theory is a manager who takes their new employee on their wings. This helps the
employee to understand how the employee fit for the organisation. This also encourages
them to free about the questions and problems to discuss freely with their seniors within
the organisations. So, this leadership style helps the Tessa Clarke to run the Olio
effectively and give the idea about the employees and their skills. This would also help
the leaders to build the relationship with employee and encourage to work effectively
within the organisations.
Leadership models used by leader.
Leadership models is referred as a process which guides and directs a particular leadership
behaviours to use in a specific surroundings as well as situation (Hooper, and Potter, 2019).
Leaderships models some times uses graphical representation which depicts about required
leadership behaviours. Leadership models helps in defining and determining ways as well as
methods of carrying modes of decision making in running various business practices effectively
which helps in increasing effectiveness as well as boosting up morale and high performance of
employees and workers working in company. Leadership model helps in guiding and directing
decision making in company for accomplishing goals and objectives (Wood, 2021).
Some of leadership model that are as follows: Democratic leadership: It is said to be an effective leadership model which leader takes
decisions which are based on input of every team member. In this leadership model every
employee and worker carries an equal say on a project's direction. Democratic leadership
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is one of most effective leadership model as it allows lower level employees to exercise
authority which leaders requires to use wisely and smartly in future profiles (Jackson,
2020). This leadership model helps in resembling how decisions could be made in
company board meetings. Autocratic leadership: This leadership model is considered to be inverse of democratic
leadership model. In this model leader takes decisions without taking input from any staff
members who reports to them (Witzel, 2019). As employees are neither considered nor
consulted before making to a direction as well as which is expected to adhere to decision
at a time or pace stipulated through business leader. Laissez faire leadership: This leadership model is considered to be an inverse of
autocratic leadership model. As this leadership model decision making in company is
made through taking opinions of staff members and employees of company (Jia, Chen,
Mei, and Wu, 2018). In laissez faire leadership model could help in empowering
employees by trusting employee and workers to work accordingly. Strategic leadership model: This leadership model is generally effective as in this
leadership model leader sit at intersection among a company's main operations as well as
its growth opportunities in running business (Wang, 2018). Strategic leadership model is
said to be an desirable model which is used in different companies. Transformational leadership model: This leadership model deals in improving and
enhancing company's conventions. Transformational leadership model is referred to
encouraging, motivating and inspiring employees to innovate as well as create changes
which will helps in growing or shaping future of success of companies. Transactional leadership model: This leadership model basically depends on having self
motivated staff members who works effectively in a structured, guided and directed in
business surroundings (Wagner,2018). Transactional leadership model basically seeks in
having motivation as well as inspiring employees and workers who are choosing to
influence rather than guiding or directing other employees to work.
Bureaucratic leadership model: This leadership style is considered in listening as well as
considering input of employees. In this leadership model leaders are highly formalized
set of processes, structures and procedures. There are various rules, hierarchies and
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policies form a straight and clear combination of expectations and explicit chain of
command in businesses (Lewis and Malmgren, 2018).
As these leadership model helps in getting better outcomes along with accomplishment of
objectives and goals of company effectively. There are various leaderships styles which leaders
implements in businesses in order to influence behaviours and attitudes of employees as well as
workers.
It has been critically analysed that leadership model provides a way or an approach which
is used in company in order to have building efficiency as well as effectiveness in carrying
business practices. As in this report business leader Tessa Clarke is running Olio. As Tessa
Clarke proved herself to be passionate and successful leader. As leader has founded Olio which
is an application that connects neighbours with others as well as local businesses so that surplus
food could be stored, shared and not thrown away. It is food nearing its sell by date in local
stores, spares which have house grown vegetables, bread from bakers and groceries. Business
leader Tessa Clarke defines Olio considered to easy for making an item and food element
available to customers ( Mahmood, Uddin, and Fan,2019). As it designs to have Photo,
description as well as understanding of when and where food items would be available to for
picking up.
It has been identified that Tessa Clarke is implementing democratic leadership style in
Olio. As democratic leadership models is based on making decision by only leader of company.
In this leadership style leader is considered to be boss of company who makes decisions and
influences employees and staff members of employees (Uhl-Bien, and Arena,2018). In terms of
Olio, Tessa Clarke designs and makes decision for their application. As Tessa Clarke along with
Saasha Celestial both determines as well as influences behaviours of employees and workers of
Olio. They both makes as well as designs effective decision making for their food sharing
application. As Tessa Clarke and Saasha Celestial both are focused towards accomplishing their
planned goals and objectives which is providing food items to local and individuals. Motive and
purpose behind implementing democratic leadership model by leader is that democracy is
leadership is said to be most effective in working when leader is working with highly skilled,
talented as well as experienced workers. It generally allows leader to capitalize on their
employee's individual's talents as well as strengths while carrying up and benefiting from energy
and power as a whole. Democratic leadership mode is one most effective styles of leadership
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(McCormick, and Davenport, 2020). This leadership style values collaboration as well as
affirmation of followers. A democratic leader distributes decision-making or problem-solving
duties with their leadership team, and retaining ultimate say in final resolution.
It has been identified as well as justified that democratic leadership model is used by leader
Tessa Clarke in business reason behind carrying of democratic leadership model in their as it
this leadership style is highly depends on employees participation. This type of leader
encourages employees in setting working goals and objectives as well as recognizes their
accomplishments. Leaders develop plans with their employees to help them evaluate their
performances, and push their employees to enhance on the job, while supporting them in their
promotions as well as advancements ( McManus, and Perruci, 2019). It has been identified and
evaluated that this style of leadership is said to be an ideal for a leader that wishes to keep
employees as well as workers well informed about various matters and situations which affect
them or who requires to participate in having problem solving as well as decision making. This
leaderships style is beneficial for leaders who desires to provide continual opportunities for their
employees to designs a sense of personal growth as well as job satisfaction along with that for
leaders who would needs to encourage collaboration or team building. It has analysed that
democratic leadership model used by Tessa Clarke effectively for their food sharing application.
As as democratic leadership works best in situations where group members are skilled as well as
talented to share their knowledge. It is also necessary to provide time to allow individual to
contribute, develop a plan as well as then vote on performing best course of action. It has been
developed as well as identified that democratic leadership model leads to create efficiency and
effectiveness in their work and company (Petry, 2018). In carrying business practices effectively
in company it becomes responsibility as well as duty of leader to design and use effective
leadership practices in their working environment in order to achieve efficiency in their
efficiency in their working environment. It is essential for business leader to carry effective
leadership style which leads to accomplishment of goals and objectives of company or business.
Has proved herself has proved herself has proved herself. It has been justified that democratic
leadership style which is used by Tessa Clarke in her food sharing application business. Motive
behind using democratic leadership style is at leader wants to achieve goals and objectives of
business effectively and democratic leadership style is considered to be more effective in among
various leadership styles.as a democratic leadership style defines that there should be only one
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boss under various employees and decision making should be done by only one leader also. As if
employees are guarded by only one boss there will be no confusion in minds of employees and
workers for carrying out their duties. As a result it will help them to perform their duties with
higher efficiency which leads to accomplish goals of business (Podsakoff, and Podsakoff, 2019).
There are various leadership styles which effective but leader Tessa Clarke choose to have
democratic leadership style in her business with Saasha Celestial they both help themselves in
decision making process that helps their employees and workers to carry their work without any
confusion and higher performance could be generated. As leader Tessa Clarke is passionate and
focused towards her goal in providing and storing food items to neighbour and local individuals.
Along with that it has been identified that for running a successful business it is necessary for
leader took off form a right and accurate leadership style so that go planned could be mad
successfully so that profitability as well as revenue could be generated (Rice, 2018). From this
report it has been identified that business leader should use effective and accurate leadership
models and theories so that plan goals could be met easily. As Tessa Clarke has proved herself as
a success full business. As leader Tessa Clarke is using effective leadership theories and models
which leads in creating effectiveness higher performance in business. It is necessary as well as
important to use effective leadership style in order to analyse and determine behaviours of
employees and influencing their behaviours. From this report it has been identified that business
leader should use effective and accurate leadership models and theories so that plan goals could
be met easily. It has been identified that for running and carrying effective business practices
effective leadership styles and theories should be used which are leadership theories. Some are
leadership theories which are trait theory, behaviour theory, power theory and so on (Roux,
2020). Some of the leadership styles are democratic leadership autocratic leadership decisive
leadership which could be used by a business leader to influence behaviour as well as decision
making in running business practices effectively along with that directed ensure that there should
be proper enhancement of working practices by determining and assigning roles and duties to
employees and workers so that they will be able to care carry their work effectively with higher
performance (Spillane, 2019).
CONCLUSION
From above report it could be concluded that leadership is said be an important element
is which is required to be performed effectively to run business practices effectively and
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efficiently. This report carries a brief explanation of critical reflection of leadership of a business
leader as there are various theories as well as models of leadership which are used by leader in
their businesses in order to run business effectively by generating revenues and profits for
business. This reflection report explains about various leaderships theories as well as models
used by leader in influencing behaviours and directing employees of their company on order to
accomplish their planned goals and objectives.
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Williams, 2021, FOUNDER FOCUS: TESSA CLARKE OF OLIO [Online] Available
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