Leadership Analysis: Darwin Smith and Yvon Chouinard

This report provides an in-depth analysis of leadership, using case studies of Darwin Smith and Yvon Chouinard. It examines Smith's transformational leadership style, highlighting his qualities such as motivation, risk-taking, intelligence, and open-mindedness. The report argues that leaders are made, not born, emphasizing the role of experience and situational responsiveness. It details the skills required for effective leadership, including strategic thinking, human resource management, discernment, and change management. Furthermore, the report explores the leadership approach of Yvon Chouinard, considering its applicability in today's context, along with its advantages and disadvantages. The analysis covers the nature and personality of Chouinard, the factors to consider when emulating his leadership, and the potential impact of his practices. Overall, the report offers valuable insights into different leadership styles and their practical implications.

LEADERSHIP
Executive Summary
After going through the report it has been highlighted that Mr Smith is a self-confident
person and don't afraid of risks in the organization. This report highlights that the leaders are
made, not born. After that the report highlight that Mr. Smith use transformational leadership
nature and there are many skills which need to have in a leader. Further the report highlight that
Yvon Chouinard leadership approach can be applied in today's scenario also and the financial
situation and the trust factor are some situation which need to look at a time of exhibiting Yvon
Chouinard leadership approach. Study highlights the advantages and disadvantage of Yvon’s
leadership approach.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. From your understanding of Darwin Smith, in the case study, brief his qualities as a Leader.
................................................................................................................................................1
2. Leaders are Born / Leaders are Made. Justify your understanding...................................2
3 Nature of leadership style exhibited by Darwin Smith?......................................................3
4. What are the types of skills that will be required of a person to be a leader,.....................3
5. Is it possible in today’s context to have leadership qualities possessed by Darwin E. Smith
................................................................................................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................5
1 Nature and Personality of Yvon Chouinard........................................................................5
2. It is possible to become a leader when confronted with situations? skills required of a
person to become a leader?.....................................................................................................6
3. Situations and factors that are to be taken into account, if one were to exhibit the leadership
quality exhibited by Yvon Chouinard?...................................................................................7
4. In today’s context, do you feel the leadership practices followed by Yvon can be applied?
................................................................................................................................................7
5. What are the advantages and disadvantage of following Yvon’s leadership approach?....8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Leadership refers to the process of guiding, directing and influencing other people for
accomplishing aim and objectives of the organization. Leader is the individual that performs the
process of leadership. Effective leaders should possess the ability of risk-taking, integrity,
courageous and clear focus etc (Para-González, Jiménez-Jiménez and Martínez-Lorente, 2018).
The Report is based on two case studies. Case study one is related with paper company. Darwin
E. Smith is the chief executive of the firm that has transformed the business into a leading
consumer paper products company in the world. The company has been listed in Fortune 500
since year 1975. Another case study is about sustainability, surfing and leadership style at
Patagonia. Sustainability can be defined as growth and development that meet out the needs of
present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet out their own
needs and demands. Yvon Chouinard who is a mountain climber started selling mountaineering
equipments in California. Later, business is turned into Patagonia clothing firm in year 1973.
The Report will outline qualities, skills, nature of leadership style adopted by Darwin Smith. It
will also describe personality of Yvon Chouinard, whether it is possible to become leader in
presence of different situations etc.
PART 1
1. From your understanding of Darwin Smith, in the case study, brief his qualities as a
Leader.
Motivation: Mr Smith has shown a motivation quality in his leadership style as it is necessary
for all the leader to understand what is the thing which motivates the employee in an
organization. As motivation help the employee in building a bond with the organization. Mr
Smith has also given success to the employee in the organization which has helped him in
passing on the message to the employee that organization used to think about them. This
message has helped the organization in keeping employee motivated in the organization and
reducing the employee turnover rate of the organization (Amanchukwu, Stanley and Ololube,
2015).
Risk Taker: As every leader has to take the risk to get a better result as doing usual thing will
always give a usual result. Mr smith has also shown a quality that he is a risk taker at many
stages such as at the time of investing 111 million dollar in the research and development of the
organization in the year 1987 or at the time of selling the mill for investing the money in the
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consumer product. This both decision has helped the business in getting the good success as by
that the company is able to produce a good quality of the product which need to be offered to the
consumer. As a result Huggies diapers and Kleenex tissues product of the company is able to
become the number one product in the market.
Intelligence and Open minded: Mr smith has shown that he is intelligent enough to understand
the situation and also open minded in the thinking which has helped him in getting the best
outcome out of the situation. Such as Mr smith was fast enough to understand that the goal of the
business is not that good, so he has redefined and raised the corporate goal. He has also fast
enough to understand that there is problem in tissue technology and facility and for the same he
has introduced new technique and facility in the organization to develop a tissue in the
organization (McCleskey, 2014).
2. Leaders are Born / Leaders are Made. Justify your understanding
“Leader are born / Leader are made” this is one of the most common discussion which generally
arises at the time of discussing the personality of the great leader. After going through the
personality of Mr. smith it has been found that the leaders are never born they are made by the
situation and the experience which is seen by the leader in the process of growing up. The reason
behind these is that any leader can not be successful by just adopting one style of the leadership
which has been taught by the book, the leader has to respond to the situation which is in front of
him. The case of Mr smith fully provide the evidence to the statement that the leader are not born
they are made as at the time of Mr Smith appointment director has informed him that he lacked
some of the qualification for the position but Smith is able to lead the team in the organization by
building the good trust factor among the employee of the organization and bringing the seance of
the discipline in the organization. Building trust is not the skill which can be taught to the leader
it is the one skill which used to come after leader start communicating with the subordinate or
understand what is required by the subordinate or employee (Aritz and Walker, 2014). Another
evidence of the statement is that Mr. Smith was self confident enough to go on with the decision
which is taken by him. Whether the decision was to revamp the leadership group or to sell the
mill of the company or to carry on with the Huggies company. Self confident is the skill which
can not be taught to any leader it is the type of the skill which is build by the leader by the leader
with the help of the experience.
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3 Nature of leadership style exhibited by Darwin Smith?
Leadership style refers to the pattern of behaviour that is adopted by the leader to
influence and guide the behaviour of followers. It also involves implicit and explicit actions
performed by the leader. The nature of leadership style adopted by Darwin Smith is
Transformational leadership style (Hawkins, 2017). This style of leadership helps leader to
bring positive changes in the people that are following the leader. Mr. Smith possess various
attributes that help to transform an old paper company into one of the leading consumer paper
products firm. Leadership style of Mr. Smith helps to build strength within the company. Further,
one of the major quality of Mr. Smith is having vision for the future. It helps to redefine and
improve the goals of the organization.
All the traits that are present in Mr. Smith helps to transform a good firm into great one.
Transformational leadership style has supported Darwin Smith to make dramatic decision and
converting traditional core business of coated paper into consumer paper product's company.
Further, the efforts of leader to become qualified for the job helps a lot in growth and success of
the business. Transformational leadership style of Mr. Smith is consisted of various components.
It includes intellectual stimulation for encouraging creativity among followers. Further, leader
also provides motivation and support to employees to improve supportive relationship. Mr.
Smith has always provided support to individuals so that, they can freely share their ideas.
Moreover, leader has clear vision and ability to articulate the vision to followers. Therefore,
transformational leadership style adopted by Mr. Smith helps to motivate workers to achieve
objectives of the company (Ghasabeh, Soosay and Reaiche, 2015).
4. What are the types of skills that will be required of a person to be a leader,
Strategic Thinking: It is the skill which is require by the individual who is looking to lead the
organization as Mr. Smith as Mr. Smith was having very good strategic thinking skill as he was
clear about the objective he is looking to achieve. This skill will help the individual in looking at
the bigger picture every time in the organization and will able to dealt with the small matter very
easily in the organization. Strategic thinking will also help the leader in understanding the
situation of the business in better way as the leader will be able to analysis the future happening
beforehand itself.
Human Resource Management Skill: It is the skill which looks at managing the Human
resource of the organization in such a way that it contribute toward the achievement of the
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organizational goal. It is the next skill which will be required by the individual as with the help
of this skill only Mr smith in the organization was able to maintain good culture in the
organization and was able to gain the trust of the employee in the organization. Human resource
management skill will help the individual in getting the support of the employee at many
different business situation in the organization. It will also help the organization in reducing the
employee turnover rate of the organization. Leader can use the different way to keep the morale
of the employee in the organization high by the way of motivation, rewards job security etc.
Discernment skill: It is the skill which looks at understanding scenario and making the vital
decision. By the help of this the individual is able to understand the different between what is
right and what is wrong. Discernment skill is the skill by the help of which the Mr smith was
able to find out that selling a mill and investing the money in other sector is the correct decision.
Discernment skill will help the individual in making the right judgement in the tough situation
also (Puni, Ofei and Okoe, 2014).
Change management skill: It is the skill in which the leader make sure that the change which is
implemented in the organization is implemented in such a way that it has no minimum effect in
the organization. Mr. smith has shown this skill at the time of making change in the technique of
the tissue production in the organization. This skill will help the individual in reducing the
employee turnover rate as employee are the one who are more uncertain at the time of the
change. Change management skill will also help the organization in bring the new technique in
the organization with the help of which organization can produce innovative or good quality
product.
5. Is it possible in today’s context to have leadership qualities possessed by Darwin E. Smith
Leadership skill which is possess by Mr . Smith are not the skill which is extraordinary or
something which is not possessed by some one else. These are the common skill which is
possesses by many leader but the ways in which he has implemented the skill in the organization
is unique enough to help the Mr smith in getting that sort of the success which he has got.
Example of the same can be the way he has build the strength of the company, Mr Smith has
redefined and raised the corporate goal of the business and also he has winnow the employee
who was not up to the mark (Asrar-ul-Haq and Kuchinke, 2016). Also made a huge investment in the
research and development of the organization to increase market share which was something
very unique as at the time of company is falling behind the leader generally used to avoid the
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investment but Mr. Smith has done. General leader used to motivate the employee to not leave
the job but Mr. Smith has fired some of the employee from the organization.
PART 2
1 Nature and Personality of Yvon Chouinard.
Yvon Chouinard is a mountain climber, who climbed several peaks of the world. He is a
mountaineer and along with it he starts selling the products or various equipments which
specifically related to the mountain climbing, to support its activities of climbing. To raise the
volume of sale he started his manufacturing unit in which he produced sports clothing such as;
hats, rugby shirts, gloves and other related clothing and also get profits from increased sales.
Now he is engaged in manufacturing many other products too like; outdoor clothing and for
fishing equipment he starts to make travel gear too. The nature and personality of Yvon
Chouinard is quite different which is discussed as under:-
Environment Friendly-
The company of Yvon Chouinard is engaged in manufacturing various products in wide
range, but along with it the company's owner Yvon Chouinard is also very much concerned
about the environment, and make strategies which not affect the environment negatively. For this
purpose he is even ready to bear the increased cost of production. This nature of Yvon Chouinard
makes his personality great and positive as well. His concern toward the environment and nature
makes him kind-hearted person too. The employees of the company are also become concerned
because of his efforts towards protecting the environment (Zareen, Razzaq and Mujtaba, 2015).
Cares about employees-
Yvon Chouinard is not concerned about the environment only, along with it he has care
for the company's employees. This shows his nature of kindness and caring, which results that
employees feel connection towards the company and will not think about leaving their jobs. He
also provides various benefits to his employees, such as; care center on the sites, allow them to
take leave without compromising their salary for two months, and also give them dresses as per
their demands and make sure the environment at the workplace must be healthy joyful and
friendly (Claxton and Sarti, 2014).
Goal oriented-
He is goal oriented person, as he never stuck in one business and make decisions
regarding expansion of his manufacturing unit. He is lenient to his employees to make his staff
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build positive attitude towards the goals of the company. He use to plan regarding increase the
sales of his manufactured products. This will show that Yvon Chouinard is a goal oriented
businessman (Zareen, Razzaq and Mujtaba, 2015).
Goal oriented-
He is goal oriented person, as he never stuck in one business and make decisions
regarding expansion of his manufacturing unit. He is lenient to his employees to make his staff
build positive attitude towards the goals of the company. He use to plan regarding increase the
sales of his manufactured products. This will show that Yvon Chouinard is a goal oriented
businessman (Zareen, Razzaq and Mujtaba, 2015).
2. It is possible to become a leader when confronted with situations? skills required of a
person to become a leader?
Yes, in my thought it is possible to become the leader in the confronted situation also as
confronted situation are the best situation which teach the leader what are the different way
through which leader can come out of the unconditional situation. Confronted situation is the
situation which will make the individual stronger as bad news never get better with the time, So
the individual has to face the same at any time in the coming life.
Communication: As a leader it is very necessary for the person that he is having a very good
communication skill which will help him in building good working culture in the organization as
employee will feel free to share their point of view in the organization. Which will eventually
low down the situation of the conflict in the organization. Communication will also help the
leader in building good relationship with the employee in the organization.
Critical thinking: It is the another skill which is necessary for every leader to have as this skill
help the leader in taking the right decision in the organization. It will help the leader in
understanding and analysing the situation in better way.
Motivation Skill: It is another important skill which is require by the leader which helps the
leader in increasing the efficiency of work in the organization. Leaders also need to motivate the
employee on the regular basis, so that they feel happy to work for organization. Motivation also
helps them in passing on the message to the employee that the work done by them in the
organization is important for the business success.
Innovation and change management: In the rapidly changing environment it is necessary for
all the business to innovate their business on a regular basis and make change in their operation.
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Leader also need to have a change management skill so that the change does not affect the
business very badly. Innovation skill will help the leader in finding out the best opportunity
available in the market to innovate and get the best out of that (Zareen, Razzaq and Mujtaba, 2015).
3. Situations and factors that are to be taken into account, if one were to exhibit the
leadership quality exhibited by Yvon Chouinard?
Financial Situation: It is the situation which has to be taken into account to exhibit the
leadership quality of Yvon Chouinard as for motivating the employee in the organization he has
given so many benefit to the employee of the organization which in real is not possible for all the
employer to offer as it eventually increase the cost of the company very rapidly. So before
exhibiting the leadership quality of Yvon Chouinard the organization has to make sure that they
are having good financial position in the market.
Product Variety: It is the another factor which need to be looked before exhibiting Yvon
Chouinard type of the leadership style as it will be difficult for the leader to implement these
type of the leadership style in one or two chain of the product as then it will be difficult for the
business to test the product globally so it is necessary to have a variety of the product line in the
organization to implement the Yvon Chouinard type of the leadership style.
Environmental Cause: It is the biggest factor which need to be taken into consideration if
someone is looking to exhibit the Yvon Chouinard type of the leadership style as all the change
decision which is taken in the organization are taken due to the environmental difficulties faced
by the organization. So it is very necessary to have a love toward the Environment if someone is
looking to exhibit the Yvon Chouinard type of the leadership style (Asrar-ul-Haq and Kuchinke,
2016).
Trust and Believe: It is the biggest factor which need to be looked by the one who is looking to
exhibit the Yvon Chouinard type of the leadership style as it is very necessary for the leader to
have a trust on the employee of the organization and should give the freedom to the employee to
take the decision in the organization which can help the organization to full fill their goal. As It
would have become difficult for Yvon Chouinard to implement the style without trusting the
employee and the performance of the employee in the organization.
4. In today’s context, do you feel the leadership practices followed by Yvon can be applied?
This type of the leadership style is more suitable in today's era as compare to the Yvon
Chouinard time, biggest reason or evidence to support my statement is that in today's world of
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increasing competition and globalization it is getting difficult for the management to have time to
look over the employee of the organization. Using Democratic approach will help the business to
see over the employee of the business in better way and will keep the employee motivated in the
organization to work as in the end employee are the one who will be carrying out the operation
of the business. As Yvon Chouinard used to travel around the globe to test the product of the
company it will be better suited in today's scenario as with the help of that the organization will
able to get the best out of the global market available. This leadership style will also help the
company in building good brand value in the market and also in the eye of the employee which
will help the company in getting the best talented worker in the organization as in today's
scenario as in today's world of the competition it is difficult to get the best talent available in the
organization. This are the benefit which will be enjoyed by the organization if they adopt Yvon
Chouinard leadership style in today's scenario.
There are many disbenefit which will also be offered by this type of the leadership style.
The main out of all is that it will increase the cost of the company in the market as offering this
much of the benefit to the employee will eventually requires a good financial resources and it
may prove to be the challenging task in the competitive market. Quality of the decision making
in the organization also may suffer in this type of the leadership style as all the employee are not
that capable to make the decision with the same quality which is expected by the organization
but this type of the leadership style gives a opportunity for all the employee to take the decision
in the organization (Ghasabeh, Soosay and Reaiche, 2015).
5. What are the advantages and disadvantage of following Yvon’s leadership approach?
Advantages
Good working Environment: This type of the leadership style has helped the business in
building the good working environment in the organization as all the employee are motivated to
work for the organization and there is very low level of the uncertainty in the organization. As all
the employee in an organization are allowed to take their own decision in the organization there
is low level of the conflict in the organization which has contributed very positively in building
the good working environment in the organization.
Goodwill: This leadership style has helped the
company in building good goodwill in the market as due to the variety of the product offered by
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the company it has attracted the consumer. Also the variety of the benefit which is offered by
the
company to the employee has helped the company in building the good brand value as their was
a time when 900 employee used to apply for the position opened by the organization.
Efficiency of the operation: It is the another big benefit which has been brought by the
leadership approach of Yvon Chouinard as this leadership has brought equality in the
organization which has given all the employee a message that they are equally important for the
success of the business. This has kept the morale of all of them up which has eventually helped
in increasing the efficiency of operation in the organization.
Disadvantages
Personal goal over organizational goal: This type of the leadership gives the full freedom to
the employee which may result in employee looking for personal goal over the organization
which may affect the company in the long run of the business.
It has increased the cost of the company: This leadership approach of Yvon Chouinard has
increased the cost of the company as this leadership style requires a good amount of the
investment for providing the benefit to the employee (McCleskey, 2014).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that to run the business smoothly it is necessary to
have the qualities of good leader. The personality of Mr. Smith and Yvon Chouinard has been
analysed in the above study. This study also concluded that skills which a good leader should
have in his leadership must be consisted of various specialities such as; honesty, skill of inspiring
others, skill of establishing effective communication chain and so on. Futher, this study
concluded that Yvon Chouinard must considered the style of leadership must be applicable in
practical life. From the above study it is recommended that the along with advantages of the
leadership approach, one should consider the disadvantages as well for smooth running of the
organization.
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