Leadership Management: Theories, Practices, and Challenges Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of leadership management, exploring various theories, practices, and the challenges faced by leaders in organizations. It delves into the characteristics and components of effective leadership, emphasizing empathy, communication, and conviction. The report highlights the importance of developing strong executive management, integrating talent management, and implementing leadership development strategies. It identifies both macro and micro leadership challenges, including developing managerial effectiveness, inspiring employees, and delegating tasks effectively. The report also examines the impact of philosophical paradigms on leadership activities, offering insights into how leaders can adapt to different situations and foster a positive organizational culture. Examples from companies like Apple and Amazon are used to illustrate different leadership styles and approaches. This report aims to provide a detailed understanding of leadership and its practical implications for organizational success.

Running head: LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT
Leadership Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
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Executive Summary
The report has helped in the overall analysis of the leadership approaches which are used in
the different organizations to become useful in the various functions that are performed in the
organizations. With the method of the multiple theories on leadership, the different ways of
the administration have been considered that played a vital role in managing the various
operations. The multiple instances have been found which are essential to understanding the
overall efficiency and appropriateness of the organization. The leadership paradigm has been
discussed which has been beneficial in analyzing the different operations.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Overview of Leadership.............................................................................................................3
Characteristics and Components of Leadership.........................................................................4
Practices Involved in Leadership Activities...............................................................................5
Challenges of Leadership...........................................................................................................6
Overview of Macro and Micro Leadership Challenges.............................................................7
Macro and Micro Challenges in Leadership............................................................................10
Micro Challenges.................................................................................................................10
Macro Challenges.................................................................................................................11
Impact and Role of Philosophical Paradigm on Leadership Activities....................................12
Conclusion................................................................................................................................13
References................................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
The assignment helps in analysing the aspect of leadership along with understanding
the different components and the traits which are essential in attaining the leadership skills.
The key challenges faced in leadership is required to be identified which will be inclusive of
macro and micro problems which are based on organizational or market level and individual
or team level as well. There will be the inclusion of the different leadership theories which
will be beneficial for analysing the situation in which the various theories of leadership will
be appropriate.
Overview of Leadership
Aarons et al. (2014), have commented that leadership is the influence process which
enables the managers to get the employees to perform the different tasks accurately. This is
the process which influences the various activities of the organized group towards the
achievement of the goals in an accurate manner. This is the interpersonal experience which is
exercised in a situation through the process of communication as this will be helpful in
attaining the goals. Anderson et al. (2017) have commented that leadership is essential to the
function of management which helps in maximising the efficiency along with achieving the
organizational goals appropriately.
Furthermore, Banks et al. (2016), have opined that only the inborn personality traits of
the different employees are not necessary, the styles and the behaviors of the various
individuals play a significant role in becoming a successful leader. Engelen et al. (2015),
have commented that the significant situational factor which is being considered in the
leadership aspect is the cultural values of the different followers. There are different
individuals in the organization from various cultural backgrounds; they will require the
various styles of leadership. For instance- In a highly collective society such as Japan along

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with the Philippines wherein the social bond among the different individuals is strong and the
useful kind of leadership is essential to handle such situation effectively.
Characteristics and Components of Leadership
There are different kinds of attributes of the leaders who are working in the organization that
will help in appropriately improving the organizational culture. The most common traits of
the leaders which are required to be adopted by the leaders are as follows:
 Empathy and Consistency are the first aspects which are required as the consistent
leaders will gain respect along with credibility. The empathetic nature is essential and
helpful which will create a legitimate rapport with the staff, and they are empathetic
about the concerns of the individuals.
 Communication and Flexibility are the primary two approaches wherein effective
communication helps in involving the teamwork with the right attitude. There will be
involvement of the flexibility to the new ideas along with open-minded approach
which will be beneficial for increasing the likelihood for the different aspects in an
appropriate manner.
 Conviction is the other aspect wherein strong vision along with the will which will be
appropriate for accomplishing the different missions and achieve the various goals
appropriately.
On the other hand, Engelen et al. (2015), have commented that there are different
kinds of components which are required to be considered in leadership that will enhance the
overall efficiency of the organization in a positive manner. The honesty and integrity are the
first components wherein great leaders create an organizational culture, and they will be
accountable for the different kinds of activities performed by the employees. Furthermore,
Donohoe and Kelloway (2016), have commented that the outstanding self-awareness is the

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other approach which is mandatory to be known by the different higher officials working in
the organization which will be helpful for them in understanding the own strengths and
weaknesses. Hackett et al. (2018), have opined that leadership is the process of influence as
this is the function of stimulating the followers to strive willingly to attain the organizational
objectives appropriately.
Practices Involved in Leadership Activities
Anderson et al. (2015), have commented that there are various practices which are
required to be considered in leadership that is inclusive of the development of strong
executive management wherein this will be involving the engagement of top leaders and
managers in an efficient manner. Aarons et al. (2016), have hypothesised that the senior
management needs to meet with the different participants to coach along with mentor them
which will allow them to monitor the progress on action learning throughout the year.
Additionally, there should be the proper application of comprehensive learning approach
wherein there should be the inclusion of developmental programs such as 360-degree
assessments, meeting with the different counterparts along with adoption of e-learning
activities which will be providing the leaders with complete experience. The leadership is all
about the experiential learning which will be beneficial for the overall success of the firm in a
positive manner. Moreover, Aarons et al. (2016), have opined that integration with talent
management is the other positive approach to build sustainable leadership pipeline which
will assess the potentiality of the leadership appropriately.
For instance- In Apple, this has been analysed that the CEO Tim Cook follows the
autocratic leadership style. However, there is talent management which helps the company in
building talent management activities appropriately as well (Fortune 2018).

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There should be the inclusion of proper leadership development strategies which will be able
to ensure that the leadership pipelines will be helpful in executing the business strategies
which are critical for long-term success. The succession planning along with performance
management are the two approaches that will be appropriate for appropriately handling the
different operations. Gorman and Messal (2017), have commented that the linkage between
management and workers are essential which will prove to be appropriate for the
achievement of the desired goals in an effective manner.
Challenges of Leadership
There are various types of problems in the leadership approach which are required to be
considered while leading a team that is discussed as follows:
Gorton, Alston, and Snowden (2018), have commented that developing the
managerial effectiveness is the first challenge such as time management or the strategic
thinking are the crucial elements which play a significant role in becoming more effective at
work. The leaders must become more active which will be requiring these qualities to
manage the different group of individuals. Furthermore, Hackett et al. (2018), have
commented that inspiring the employees is the other challenge as motivating the other
individuals is not useful that will require proper mentoring and coaching.
On the other hand, Kelloway and Gilbert (2018), have hypothesised that not providing
much guidance is the other aspect which is the challenge wherein there is lack of problem
solving and negotiation skills among the leaders in managing the group of individuals in the
company. McCleskey (2014), has opined that different leaders are autocratic and they lack
the overall ability to delegate the different activities positively. The strong autocratic type of
leaders set their goals themselves without even considering the opinion of the different
followers. There is a command which is required to be followed by followers.

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Overview of Macro and Micro Leadership Challenges
Neves and Schyns (2018), have opined that in the macro level leadership aspects, the
role of the leaders is strategic as this focuses on the entire organization or the market level.
The different leaders try to think from the different broader perspective by scanning the
overall business environment along with suitably adapting the organization to the dynamics
of the external environment.
Moreover, such leaders try to make different plans along with expanding the business
by looking at and analysing the different kinds of threats and opportunities for the investment
(Newman et al. 2017). Furthermore, with the approach of depending on the needs, the leaders
try to modify the vision, mission along with the objectives of the organization from time to
time. All the actions which are being taken by the leaders are oriented towards achieving the
overall sustainability of the organization.
Therefore, at the macro leadership level, the leaders play the role of a
transformational leadership role which will be appropriate for handling the different
grievances of the employees appropriately and providing them with the chance to showcase
their different viewpoints appropriately. In the transformational approach, the followers or
the different employees have similar kind of space in presenting their views, and their
perspectives are considered at the time of decision-making in the organization as well.
In macro leadership approach:
Character- The character of the leadership in the macro approach is related to guiding
the entire team along with achieving the goals appropriately
Ethical Approach- There should be an ethical approach which is required to be
followed by the leaders in managing the organization as a whole. There should be the

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inclusion of trust factor among the employees which will be beneficial for the handling of the
team in an appropriate manner.
Values- The values which are required to be adopted by the leaders to manage the
overall team is through proper respect wherein the cultural differences will be maintained
appropriately.
Beliefs- There are various beliefs which are required to be managed by the leaders in
which they need to deliver inspiration to the employees and to exhibit the confidence in an
appropriate manner.
For example- In Amazon, the CEO of the organization tries to apply the trait theory
which helps the manager in understanding the different human personalities who are being
dealt with in the organization. In Amazon, there is an approach which comprises of followers
as the leaders and the leaders will be provided with the different decisions and such decisions
are required to be accepted by the employees as well. The followers are supplied with the
right to execute their decisions, and they are helpful in the decision-making approach
(Business Insider. 2018).
On the other hand, micro leadership is the other approach wherein at this level of
administration, the leaders in the organization try to build the different capabilities and
capacities of the company regarding the human resources along with finances which are
required to be adaptable in the team level as well. The various leaders help in developing the
relationships with the employee teams along with laying out the plan to complete the tasks
which will be providing the necessary motivation along with support (Donohoe and Kelloway
2016).
In micro leadership approach:

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Character- The leaders need to understand the different grievances of the employees
personally which will encourage them to be motivated. Furthermore, the opinions of the
employees are required to be supported which will be beneficial for the overall effectiveness
of the firm
Ethical Approach- The leaders need to understand and follow ethics in such a manner
which will provide the employees with proper courage to handle the different issues
appropriately.
Values- There should be proper wisdom and integrity which is mandatory in
managing the different kinds of activities, and the performance of the team will be achieved
as well.
Beliefs- There should be proper involvement of the delivering inspiration in which
this will help in taking risks and achieving the different goals and objectives in the
organization as well.
In the micro leadership approach, the different leaders try to bring in clarity between
the various departments along with functions by assigning them the roles along with
responsibilities inappropriately accomplishing the multiple tasks. Moreover, the leaders
display the necessary type of attitude by encouraging the different employees to put in their
efforts to reach and achieve the goals for completing the various tasks.
Moreover, the leaders try to provide the utmost support which is necessary for
appropriately achieving the tasks and goals. From the overall analysis, this can be identified
that both macro and micro leadership qualities are essential in managing the organization
along with employees appropriately. The micro leadership approach is known as the
transactional and situational leadership approach wherein this will help in improving the
situation in an appropriate manner.

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Macro and Micro Challenges in Leadership
Micro Challenges
Zhu, Avolio and Walumbwa (2016), have commented that there are different kinds of
macro leadership challenges which is in respect to the organizational context. The major
macro problem faced by the leaders is building the team in an effective manner which will
be difficult for them in managing the team members positively. As a team leader, this
becomes difficult in leading the team when there is resistance.
For instance- In Apple, there was huge resistance to change among the employees as
there was no such motivation and appreciation provided to them. The leadership which has
been followed in Apple is autocratic leadership which demotivated the employees as they
were not getting any chance to showcase their views and this led to resistance to change
(Fortune 2018).
Secondly, listening to the goal of learning is the other issue wherein the leaders can
face the problem of managing the team efficiently. There can be different kinds of team
members from various backgrounds and cultures that can be difficult to handle by the leader.
There can be the situation when the leaders do not have their power and the training and
development approach is not appropriate. In such cases, this the massive challenge for the
leaders as the feedbacks from the different members who will be affecting the overall
efficiency of the firm (Tepper et al. 2018).
For instance- Such a situation is being faced by PwC Company wherein the
employees were provided with the scope of sharing their views effectively. This has been
noticed that the viewpoints of the employees are considered. However, the leaders could not
afford the learning and development sessions to the employees which affect the overall
efficiency of the firm (PwC 2018).

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Leading and guiding the team are the other challenge which is faced by the leaders
while appropriately managing the team. The team building can be of the enormous problem
wherein there can be a lack of support or communication between the team members and the
team leader which will be affecting the overall effectiveness of the team leader negatively.
When there is lack of support from the different members, this can lead to demotivation
among the members which will be difficult for the team leader to handle such issues in a
positive manner (Qu, Janssen and Shi 2015).
Furthermore, guiding the team is the other issue wherein the main challenge which is
being faced by the leaders is related to the overcoming of resistance to change among the
employees. The leaders in the organization met various issues that are related to the dealing
with the different concerns of the employees as many leaders do not have the quality of
handling the different operations successfully which will reduce the overall efficiency of the
team in a negative manner (Sweeney, Clarke and Higgs 2018).
For instance- In Kingfisher Airlines, this has been noticed that the leader was not at
all efficient in handling the different operations successfully. This was being seen that there
was the downfall in the revenues and profitability of the organization that led to the various
consequences which are negative. The employees were not provided with proper guidance
which was required to handle the different team operations successfully (Rothaermel 2015).
Macro Challenges
On the other hand, there are different macro challenges which can lead to different
kinds of problems which will affect the overall efficiency of the firm in a negative manner.
Firstly, handling the negativity is the first issues which can be faced by the leaders working
in the organization as the situation can be different to handle the employees of different