Leadership Styles and Organizational Success: Australian Case Studies

This report critically examines leadership styles through the lens of three prominent Australian leaders: Don Meij of Domino's Pizza Enterprises, Rupert Murdoch of News Corp, and Sara Miller McCune of SAGE Publications. It explores their biographical backgrounds, leadership approaches, and the impact of their styles on organizational success. The report analyzes the leaders' strategies, ethical considerations, and how they address organizational challenges. It also discusses the leaders' roles in fostering positive work environments. Moreover, the report delves into the leaders' approaches to building and maintaining successful businesses. It highlights the importance of understanding leadership complexities and the need for adapting to the global market. The report also provides recommendations based on current leadership research and concludes by discussing how leaders can assist their teams. The report is a valuable resource for understanding leadership in the context of Australian business, with a focus on real-world examples and practical insights.

Running head: LEADERSHIP-A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
LEADERSHIP-A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Executive Summary
The following report will focus on the style of leadership that operates the leaders to work in
any organization. This is a critical analysis of leader’s approaches to create the best way of
leadership to make a friendly atmosphere in workplace. The report here will discuss under the
perspectives of three different organizations of Australia and their founders. The concept of
their leadership, their relevancy as leaders and how these matter the success of their
organizations are explored here. The leaders may face issues in running business and such a
problem is discussed in the report along with the solution of it. Recommendations are added
based on the current leadership research. The report concludes by discussing how the leaders
can assist the team after the detail analysis of leadership approach.

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Table of Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................3
Leadership Style:........................................................................................................................3
Biographical Accounts of Three Leaders:..............................................................................3
Don Meij, CEO of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises:...............................................................3
Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of News Corp:......................................................4
Sara Miller McCune, Founder of SAGE Publications:......................................................4
Justification:...........................................................................................................................5
Critical Analysis of Leadership Styles:..................................................................................5
The Leader:........................................................................................................................5
Leadership Styles and its Impact on Success:....................................................................7
Organizational Issues in News Corp:.....................................................................................8
Possible Solution to the Issue:................................................................................................9
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................9
References................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction:
The report is going to discuss the leadership style of efficient leaders in a critical
perspective. Leadership style is something that is followed by a leader within his
organization. It helps to continua a healthy relationship between employee and employer and
evaluates the success of the organization. In order to give a detail view of analysis, three
leaders from three worldwide organizations of Australia are taken as examples. Their ethics,
style of leadership, story of success and failure are discussed in the entire section. The
justification of the selection is also mentioned here. A leader can face issues in dealing with
his organization and how he/she overcomes, this problem is discussed in the report.
The conclusion is followed by highlighting the possible solutions that can change the
negativity of the organization. In this issue, leaders can follow some research works done on
leadership styles to maintain the success in the global market.
Leadership Style:
Leadership style defines the process through which a leader operates an organization.
In order to create the best climate and service performance in an organization, leadership
style is an important management tool (Ojokuku, Odetayo & Sajuyigbe, 2012). A proper
leader can take the organization to the top by adapting the best styles in leadership. A friendly
relation between employer and employee is much needed for a company to give the best
output. Leadership can be authoritarian, paternalistic, democratic, transformational and
laissez-faire. Organizations need effective leaders to understand the changing complexities of
global market (Nanjundeswaraswamy & Swamy, 2014). This report will be a research work
on the various aspects related to leadership style by giving major descriptions of some
renowned Australian personalities.
Biographical Accounts of Three Leaders:
Don Meij, CEO of Domino’s Pizza Enterprises:
Don Meij is a popular name in the world of business. He owns Domino’s Pizza
Enterprises, which is one of the best pizza makers in the world. Don Meij has started his
journey as a pizza delivery boy and gradually fallen in love with business that gives him this
fame. In 1993, Meij purchased Domino’s company in Australia and in 2001-02; he became
respectively Chief Operating Officer and then Chief executive Officer (Donmeij.com, 2017)

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Domino’s is a worldwide company and it provides pizzas in various flavors and
tastes. This company stands as leader in the pizza market with 54% of market share and 70%
in the home delivery segment in India (Dominos.co.in, 2017). Don Meij has adapted
innovative technologies to make improvement of his company. It includes online ordering
along with fast delivery, GPS driver tracker and Robotic unit (Donmeij.com, 2017). Meij is
one of the highest paid CEOs in Australia and his company stands in the highest position
among world.
Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of News Corp:
Australia possesses a good chain of news media and most of the services is provided
by News Corp. Rupert Murdoch, the Executive Chairman of News Corp, is called sometimes
the King of Media. In the year 1954, Murdoch started controlling an Australian public
corporation named News Limited that took interest in daily newspapers in South Australia.
Murdoch, in full Keith Rupert Murdoch, started his journey as an editor on London Daily
Express and this drove him into the world of publication. He owned several regional
newspapers like British newspaper The News of the World, American San Antonio
(Newscorp.com, 2017)
His company published the Australian, a renowned national newspaper, in 1964. The
major turning point for News Corporation comes when in 1985, Twentieth Century Fox Film
Corporation was purchased and the studio is producing award-winning films until now
(Britannica.com, 2017). Any media related organization has effective function in society and
it uses some technical rules to become internationally successful. Murdoch is not exceptional.
He introduced Sky Television, a satellite connection with British Broadcasting. He, in fact
bought social networking site named Intermix Media that was employed by million members.
News Corp has assured opportunities in career trend as well (Newscorp.com, 2017)
Sara Miller McCune, Founder of SAGE Publications:
SAGE Publications is one of the renowned publication houses for journal and it has
its branches all over the world. In Australia, this publication house is famous for The
Australian Journal of Management. Sara Miller McCune is the founder and Executive
Chairman of SAGE. Sara understood the urgency of scholarly articles and in the year 1965,
she stared her company to allow the scholars in researching and using their own voices. She
is constantly trying to develop her company and this makes her become the president of

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McCune Foundation (Us.sagepub.com, 2017). She is honored with doctorate from Queens
College and a fellow from Cardiff University.
SAGE is an international publishing company that has published more than 1000
journals all over the world. The Australian journal of Management is regarded as one of the
best books published by SAGE and this journal focuses on the finance, industry, political
science, statistics and all the elements leading to management. The Journal is a relevant one
as it represents management issues under academic view and it comes to the reader in a
pertinent way (Us.sagepub.com, 2017). Sra Miller and SAGE both have contributed lot in the
field of research. Miller introduces innovative methodology to produce different and new all
time. SAGE has raised its fund too in order to invent better ways to do method.
Justification:
The above three personalities are chosen to describe here based on their popularity
and how they achieve their goals. Don Mein has understood the public interest and tried
every possibility to broaden his business. Under his leadership, Domino’s has inaugurated its
franchises in many big countries like Australia, New Zealand and changed the history of food
market. Challenges are inevitable in business and a perfect businessperson must accept it and
use to its full advantage. These three Executives have followed this trend and achieved
success in their fields. News media is something that gives shape to the opinions of public
and gives important to the issues (Perse & Lambe, 2016). Rupert Murdoch selects this sector
and introduces world to a new level in the field of media. Murdoch shows his interest in the
field of entertainment as well. He believes in new technology that is the most necessary for
mass media. Murdoch starts his journey from Australia and gradually expands it worldwide.
Another person who believes in business expansion is Sara Miller McCune. Her Publication
house always remains in fame and it produces the best journals regarding management. Her
foundation has arranged many learning programs, which help the fresher to know what
research is. It grows up the knowledge level of the youths in the field of academic writing.
All these characters have followed their own style of leadership to make marks on the field of
business.
Critical Analysis of Leadership Styles:
The Leader:
A leader is one who thinks something different to change the nation and in order to
complete it he can accept challenges coming in way. Leadership is also necessary for an

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organization. The owner plays the role of the leader here. The first leader in this discussion is
Don Meij, the founder of Domino’s Pizza Enterprise. Meij believes in a straightforward style
to operate his organization. He likes to appoint relevant employees to his company to give the
best service to the customers. The franchise offers membership on the Franchise Council of
Australia and asks for advice and support to make the products more special
(Franchisebusiness.com.au, 2017). Domino’s needs human sources and Meij has given proper
facilities to his employees. Every team of his company is provided proper training regarding
work and health issues. In case of accidents, employees are compensated under the laws of
Domino’s Pizza Agreement of 2009.Don Meij thinks over discrimination and gives
opportunities to people coming from all ages and genders. He looks for people with positive
attitude, passion and lot of enthusiasm to work in the company (Corporate.dominos.co.uk,
2017). A perfect leader cares for his teammates. Don Meij has created a friendly atmosphere
within Domino’s. It offers culture and maintenance in the stores. Meij himself is a hard
worker and he believes it is necessary to provide all the specialties to the employees so that
they can work comfortably. There are options like incentives and rewards among the staffs
according to their performances. The employees have their leader, as they like to have.
Rupert Murdoch owns one of the largest media houses in the world and he handles all
the activities like a perfect leader. He believes that the world is changing very fast and t is
this fast that will be beating the slow (Low & Ang, 2012). News Media is an international
organization and it needs the most reliable employers in it. Murdoch has divided the
employers in many sections as per their jobs. Murdoch offers encourages his employees to
participate in innovative projects and this is the reason why they try to make the lives of
people better. He focuses not only on the international but also on the national and regional
aspects. News Corp has its branch in Australia and Murdoch has assured the best
environment there to work together. Diversity in employment is seen there. People with
immense talent are always accepted. Murdoch’s company has linked them to consultancies so
that fresher can join the company as paid internship, which includes students from the
universities too (Newscorpaustralia.com, 2017). Annual meetings are arranged almost every
year to give priority to the employees and listen their requirements. News Corp offers good
benefits and facilities to its employees like opportunities of pension, health check up,
volunteering and death in service (Newscareers.co.uk, 2017). Murdoch has put all his media
channel and newspaper under one umbrella of rules and this proves his leadership style.

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Sara Miller McCune brings revolution in the world of publication and her company
SAGE Publications shows how she maintains a proper bonding internationally. SAGE
Publication introduces many magazines all over the world. Opportunities and benefits are
introduced by the founder. In order to work in a smooth atmosphere, Sara Miller has started
giving awards for the loyalty of her employees. Medical insurances, Company events,
Training methods, Loan schemes and many regular facilities are included. The company is
expanding every year and this needs more locations. Almost 2,000 employees are spread
around the world and the company has occupied 10000 square feet of space on Conejo
Spectrum Street to broaden its sphere (Vcstar.com, 2017). Miller has made SAGE as a
dynamic organization that attracts many to work in it. Employees are treated with respect and
this makes them possible to work with positive energy all over the world.
Leadership Styles and its Impact on Success:
Don Meij believes in advancement. He knows the requirements of customers in this
age of globalization. His concept of leadership based on both his customers and employees.
He gives the same importance to both of them. Every businessperson needs to forecast what
people will like in near future. Meij has employed people coming from IT background to
make his business a digital one (Theaustralian.com.au, 2017). He has launched iPhone and
Android apps for the customers. Domino’s app is used by almost one million people over the
world. Meij has tried his best to build up Domino’s. It proves his enthusiasm and dedication
for his company. He believes in change and how one can make his customers happy and
satisfied through the employees, is Meij’s concept of leadership. This is the reason behind his
success and today Domino’s in one of the most desirable and largest franchises of the world.
Rupert Murdoch’s innovation News Corp is one of the best results shown from the
concept of leadership. Murdoch has divided his employees in some administrative sections
over the world. This contains, cable network programming, film and entertainment,
television, satellite, magazines and inserts, book publishing, newspaper. Murdoch is above all
discriminations and gives utmost importance to all his employees. He believes in equal
opportunity and this creates a healthy environment in workplace. News Corp is a worldwide
company and it needs to be trustworthy. Murdoch respects the privacy rights of his
employees regarding their personal information. He maintains secrets, patents, trademarks of
his company confidential and thus he gains respect from his employees. Use of efficient
technology in workplace is a positive aspect for News Corp (Newscorp.com, 2017).
Employees are aware of electronic communications like emails blogs and other options of

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social media. Murdoch always inspires his employees to work like a family and show respect
to each other. News Corp has its branches all over the world and the bonding among the
sectors is Murdoch’s success.
Youth is the future of nation. Their power lies in their voice. Sara Miller McCune has
given chances to speak and write what one thinks in mind. Her publication SAGE is a perfect
example of her leadership style. She believes in equality and people from various age groups
and countries join as employees. SAGE focuses on the talent and reaches the works to the
international scholar and researchers so that world comes close to them (Us.sagepub.com,
2017). McCune provides information to quench the thirst of readers in one click
(Us.sagepub.com, 2017). SAGE has many publication houses in the world. Employees are
provided all the facilities which they need in workplace. Sara Miller has contributed to many
educational organizations and founded McCune Foundation to develop new changes in
society. Miller and her leadership is the embodiment of women power and this is the reason
why her fame is worldwide.
Success depends on the leader of an organization. Don Meij has adapted strategic
leadership style. He has reached to a wide range of audience and listened to their
requirements. He has accepted the terms of global world and inputs changes in technology of
his company. His leadership turns out to be a positive factor for organization and that is why
Meij’s Domino’s has taken its position among the leading franchises of the world. Rupert
Murdoch is a controversial leader as many considers him as a charismatic leader. His
organization News Corp is a successful one and has broadened its sphere in other media
sectors. Murdoch believes in holding power over all the media (Bagdikian, 2014). His
leadership is renowned and this is the reason behind the success of his media house but the
company is facing some problems which are discussed in the following section. Sara Miller
has proved her an efficient leader throughout her career. She has given value to the speaking
power. She knows the necessity of manpower and offers them the utmost facilities to work
together. Her publication house SAGE produces the topmost journals and articles of the
world, which provide necessary information to all. Her regional publication is another key
point to her success (Us.sagepub.com, 2017).
Organizational Issues in News Corp:
Rupert Murdoch and his company were in focus of scandal for many times. The
employees of News of the World, one of the leading newspaper of News Corp, were accused

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of being a part of phone hacking. It results in arresting many journalists and the formal editor,
Andy Coulson. The fire burns more when in July, 2011 a reporter from The Guardian
newspaper reveals that Murdoch’s tabloid News of the World hacked the messages of Milly
Dower, a 13 year old missing girl who disappeared in 2002 (Kellner,2012). Police
investigated the case for many years and this issue makes Murdoch and his company
notorious. This scandal affected Rupert and his son James Murdoch so much that they made
announcement of withdrawing the proposal to take control of BSkyB. Murdoch empire
causes the suffering of entire political functions in England and it causes a major
degeneration of the entire Murdoch Empire. His employees got involved in the scandals and
there was allegation that they were previously aware of the scandal in organizational meeting.
This scandal created fear in the mind of people and it had an impact on the global media .
Possible Solution to the Issue:
Leadership is a topic to be understood well. Many researchers have worked on it. A
leader should be good in morally and technically. He/she should possess self-knowledge,
discipline, intentions and ethics to follow a good relationship between leader and follower
(Antonakis, 2017). In case of News Corp scandal, the fault lies in the leadership of Murdoch.
The charismatic method sometimes becomes unfruitful for organization. Every company
faces some risk factors while running its business. It is up to the owner how he/she will
handle it. Risks need to be handled in a proper way. This can be done by employing best
candidates who can solve such issues by taking necessary steps. Murdoch should follow this
as News Corp is an international sector and it has million employees and followers.
Conclusion:
It is clearly stated that leadership style can be analyzed from critical perspective.
Leadership can be different in styles but the ethics of leadership should be common in all
sectors. These three leaders, as stated above, have shown different kinds of leadership in their
fields and this creates both positive and negative impacts on their organizations. They are
considered leader in their own company and are famous from their own point of view. They
face problems many times but a true leader is one who accepts every kind of challenges and
solves them with efficiency. Change in style is inevitable and leaders must follow it. There
are many researchers nowadays who are working on the leadership topic and new sides are
opening. A leader needs to stay updated by following recent researches. Positive rules should

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be included in companies. This may transform the workplace atmosphere to friendlier one
and the leader manages to keep the crown of success over the head.

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References
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news
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