HRM Leadership: Applying 'The Leadership Challenge' Concepts

This report provides a detailed analysis of applying the concepts from 'The Leadership Challenge' in a Human Resource Management (HRM) context. It begins by discussing the nature of leadership, its challenges, and the importance of vision, communication, honesty, listening, and patience. The report then delves into a real-life scenario involving a manufacturing plant closure and offers strategies to address the resulting challenges by developing S.M.A.R.T. goals and practicing exemplary leadership. Furthermore, the assignment explores the Four Frames model (structural, human resource, political, and symbolic) and their application in managing people, focusing on a specific challenge of employee demotivation due to the plant closure. Specific strategies from each frame are identified to address the challenge, with a conclusion emphasizing the critical role of the human resource frame in effectively managing the situation. The document is contributed by a student and available on Desklib, a platform offering a range of study tools and resources for students.

Running Head: HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Human Resource Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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The leadership Challenge Class Assignment
The word ‘leadership’ brings into the mind a variety of images. First of all, it reminds of
a political leader who is pursuing a personal cause or passion. It also reminds of an explorer who
is cutting a path through the jungle leaving his followers to follow him. Lastly, it recalls the
thought of an executive who is developing the strategy for his organization in order to beat the
competition. The leaders do help themselves and their followers to do the right things by setting
the directions, establishing an inspiring visions and creating something new. I have understood
by my learning experience and practical observation that leadership is all about mapping out the
way towards the destination in an organization as a team.
Without excitement, inspiration and dynamic culture, leadership is not possible. The class
lectures have been highly useful for us and we can easily incorporate them in our future. In the
class along with the description of leadership, we have been made aware about the leadership
challenges and the ways to deal with the challenges. We have learned that the leaders must also
use the management skills along with setting the directions. In the class, we have been taught
that becoming a leader does not mean that there would not be any hurdles on the way. There are
many factors that the leaders might face but with the right skill these challenges can be
overcome.
challenges
The first challenge might come from the leadership change. The leadership strategies are
implemented to bring change. In an organization there are various types of people and their
opinions and perspectives differ from each other. Difficulties arise from managing them and
convince them to respond positively to a single strategy. On the other hand, over control in the

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organization on the employees can lead to stifles, creativity, crush and leaves the leaders to be
more short –term focused. The lack of negotiation and problem solving skills in the leaders can
lead to unsuccessful application of strategies, negative outcomes and wrong understanding. Since
communication is primary in an organizational structure and management, lack of proper
communication can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Creating an environment for the sake
of environment makes the ultimate goal vague and puts the employees of the organization in
pressure. An environment of frustration and failure, ineffectiveness, superficial and non-existent
negotiation is facilitated by improper communication.
A real-life situation
A product line manager functions in a company’s sales, supply chain, operations,
manufacturing, product line engineering and the like. He works closely with the manufacturing
on pricing, supply chain, quality and delivery. A situation comes where the current
manufacturing plant is about to close and move to different locations within 9 -12 months. The
company offers attractive salary packages to retain them. The employees quit the company and
some employees stay rigid. The company faces difficulties in getting the operations done and
manage people at the same time along with expected quality, time and cost –effectiveness.
How to deal with the challenges
However, the company can solve the leadership challenges by developing S.M.A.R.T
goals. The smart goals of leadership are being specific in the approaches, result-focused,
measurable, time –oriented and achievable. The five practices of exemplary leadership can lead
an organization towards avoiding the challenges and these practices are available for anyone who
is willing to accept these traits. It is a kind of operating system for the leaders everywhere.

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Vision
The vision of an organization is the way of determining how it could accomplish and
what it could accomplish in future. the vision of an organization embodies the goals, dreams and
values of people throughout the group or the company. According to the practices of exemplary
leadership, decisions must be made based on how much it suits the vision of the company. Going
against the vision and taking contrary actions can lead to demoralization among the employees.
In this situation, the leader should share the vision of the company with the employees and
delineate the purpose of plant closure. The bigger picture in future needs to be shared too.
Communication
A true leader is a true communicator too. The mission, values of the company needs to be
communicated with the people. Those employees who are still present in the company but
willing to leave after 9-12 months, should be communicated properly. They must be convinced
by the leader to stay back because the company will be needing those experienced and older
employees.
Honesty
Strong leadership involves the communication of the truth no matter how much
unpleasant it is to hear. The leader of the company should be honest in communicating the pros
and cons of the step the company is going to take up by closing the current manufacturing plant.
It will definitely build trust among the employees and they will feel connected with values of the
company as well
Listening

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The exemplary leadership also encompasses listening more than speaking. The
employees will feel that their opinion is also important when the leader himself will gather them
and ask for their issues and opinions about the change the organization is going to pass through.
In this case, if the main reason behind employee attrition is remuneration, the leader must be
concerned about that and look into the process properly. The other priorities if being hampered
by the closure of the plant must be addressed by the organization. The company will need the
older employees who are familiar with the operations of the company for years.
Patience
Overall, the leader has to have patience in this critical situation. It is quit natural that the
employees would resist the changes. A true leader is the one who keeps calm in the critical
situation and delivers employee approval regarding the change.
The challenges in the given real –life challenge scenario can be dealt with by practicing
the five exemplary leadership practices. The employees can stay motivated during the period of
crisis and will be retained till the closure of the current manufacturing plant.

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Managing People class Assignment
1. Analyze and describe your managerial orientation using the Four Frames:
Where are you strongest, and where do you have an opportunity for growing?
The four frames model within an organization comprise of structural frame, human
resource frame, political frame and symbolic frame. It is a type of framework in order to
understand an organization better through the four parts. An organization consists of different
people and entities and it is equally true that there are different opinions, capabilities,
personalities and limitations which have a tendency to clash.
The structural frame
The structural frame focuses on ‘how’ to change or the methods of changing an
organizational culture or behavior. This frame is mostly task –oriented and focuses on the
strategy and sets measurable objectives. The clarification of the tasks, responsibilities, reporting
lines are necessary comes under this frame. The creation of procedures and systems are also
associated with this frame.

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The human resource frame
The human resource frame puts more emphasis on the needs of the people. It primarily
focuses on empowerment of the employees and helps to fulfill their needs so that they stay
motivated in the organization. The job satisfaction of the employees, personal growth and needs
are prioritized in the human resource frame.
The Political frame
The political frame on the other hand addresses the problems of some groups and
individuals with some conflicting agendas. It is helpful when the organization is on the verge of
making difficult choices. Under this frame, the conflict resolution, power base building and
supporting of the initiatives are also included.
The Symbolic frame
This frame on the other hand addresses the needs of the people in terms of work and
performance. It concentrates on inspiring the people after the organization ‘s significance and
importance. It includes the creation of motivating vision and identification of amazing
performance through the organizational appraisals.
However, the political frame is the strongest in terms of finding opportunity to improve.
The political frame is the most useful frame when the employees feel any kind of uncertainty and
anxiety regarding being directed towards the goal. The political frame in leadership helps to
create better outcomes.
2. Briefly describe the upcoming (or, current) challenge.

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In the given scenario, the current problem among the employees is the problem of lack of
motivation. In the preset plant, the overall moral is not high because some employees are
completely demotivated to know that they are not going to be the part of the organization after
few months. Some employees have even left the company and taken up some other job. The
company has put their effort in satisfying the employees with the attractive transfer packages but
still could not retain some employees. Therefore, the challenge the company is going to face due
to non-cooperation and loss of workforce, it its early closure. This struggling condition can lead
the company to end up before 9-12 months.
3. Identify 3-4 SPECIFIC strategies to address the challenge from EACH of the four frame
In order to address the challenge, the structural frame can provide the strategy of
observing the existing structure of the organization and change it according to the necessity
ensuring that the structure of the organization supports the mission and vision of the company.
From the Human resource frame, it can be suggested to review the team building
exercises and taking suggestion of the employees in order to operate smoothly. The employed
engagement is highly necessary that frequently raises the morals of the employees and
strengthens their loyalty and commitment towards the organization.
Regarding the political frame, it can be suggested that in a working environment positive
politics needs to be practices for better outcomes. It helps in raising beneficial competition
among the employees that facilitates the achievement of company goals.
The symbolic perspective can address the leadership challenges by understanding the
organization as a whole from a variety of angles. The organization needs to be seen as a heater

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and the individuals must be seen as actors playing their individual roles. It can lead to the
examination of the actions to resolves the matters. Notably, interaction is highly essential.
4. Describe which frame(s) is the most critical component(s) to effectively managing this
challenge and WHY?
According to my assessment, the human resource is the strongest point where the people
management techniques can be applied properly. In the given scenario, where there is a lack of
motivation and commitment, the human resource frame is the most useful. The communication
can be strengthened through conducting conferences and meetings with the employees. The
attrition rates can be handled by understanding the needs of the employees and addressing them
as their preferences.