MM324 Trimester 2: Essay on Leadership Styles and Theories

This essay delves into the multifaceted concept of leadership, defining it within the context of contemporary business environments and exploring the attributes of effective leadership within organizations. It examines the leadership styles of three prominent figures: Tim Cook (Apple), Oprah Winfrey, and Jeff Bezos (Amazon). The analysis uses leadership theories and frameworks to highlight each leader's strengths and weaknesses, providing a critical evaluation that offers insights into modern leadership practices. The essay considers various leadership traits, including knowledge, motivation, and emotional intelligence, and explores leadership theories such as the Great Man theory, trait theory, and behavioral theory. It also discusses leadership styles, including the normative decision model, situational leadership, and transformational leadership. The evaluation of Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Oprah Winfrey's leadership styles provides a comprehensive understanding of leadership in the current corporate world, discussing leadership attributes, decision-making processes, and emotional intelligence.

Running head: Leadership
Leadership
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Authors note:

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OPTION-A
Introduction
In this contemporary business world, leadership is a wide concept to understand and
execute in the organization. Leadership is defined as the ability of an individual to influence to
guide another person or more than one person in a community or organization. . Leadership is
dynamic in nature and therefore, possesses number of definitions. This is because of the different
role and different function in the organization and due to the changing environment of the
leaders. However the main motive of the leaders remains the same in all the organizations. The
current assignment is based upon a clear understanding on leadership. The paper discusses what
it means to be an effective leader in organization in order to understand the proper concept of
leadership and their practical use in organization the paper demonstrates the leadership style of
three well-known leaders Tim Cook CEO of Apple, Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos founder,
chairman and CEO of Amazon. The paper demonstrates their strength and weakness by using
relevant theories and frameworks of leadership. The critical evaluation of their leadership style
would provide a brief understanding of concept of leadership in present contemporary world.
Discussion
Leadership has become the subject of research in most of the areas and has observed to
be a critical concept in the organizations. Leadership is the concept which is related widely not
only in management science but also in sociology and psychology According to Bennis,
“leadership is similar to beauty; it is hard to define, but you know when you see it” (Anderson &
Sun 2017). The concept of leadership can be determined by four components of leadership,
leadership- a continuous process, it is essential in order to create effective impact, it is important

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to draw attention and achieve desired goal and it is emergent in groups (Anderson & Sun 2017).
Leadership is based on five fundamental practices, leadership- a role model, for a shared vision
being a source of inspiration, handling a process, motivating and influencing others and
encouraging others. It is easy to use power, designation and control tactics but additionally
influencing, motivating and having the ability of emotional intelligence is a difficult approach
(Tyczkowski et al. 2015). An effective leadership, is the individual who can set example for
others, an effective leadership doe sown self-assessment, sharp level of perception, responsive to
the need of its employees, knowing and setting proper vision and mission for the organization.
Some of the leadership traits are knowledge of the business, highly motivated individuals, desire
to lead, honesty, integrity, open-mindedness, self-confidence, Intelligence, extraversion ((Kiarie,
Maru, & Cheruiyot 2017). When an individual possess this traits and when it reflects in the
organization this becomes an effective leader. This all qualities make an effective leader for the
organization.
There are many theories based upon the leadership and criticism as well. The three main
theories of leadership are great man theory, behavioral theory and trait theory ((Kiarie, Maru, &
Cheruiyot, 2017). The trait theory and great-man theory is based upon the psychological,
physical and personality traits whereas the behavioral theory is based upon the leader’s behavior,
attitude and beliefs in order to define an effective leaders in an organization.
The Great-man theory- This theory was pinned by Thomas Charlyle, in his theory it is
propose d that the individuals who lead the flow of life is considered to be leaders, the theory is
proposed focusing on the characteristics of leader and non-leaders (Le Fevre & Robinson 2015).
According to the theory, there are set of unique features that distinguish the leaders with normal
people. As per the author the features are expressed as commandants, credibility, courage, high

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initiatives. This theory suggests that the characteristics of great leaders like anatomy, personality
and psychology are different from the ordinary people as well as it suggest that leadership is a
gene theory which means hereditary. Therefore, according to the theory not everyone can be
leader, as it is god-gifted (Gipson, et al. 2017). This theory is highly criticized by many
theoretician, one of the criticism is it is gender-based prejudice and I believe leaders is not
confined with these characteristics and leadership is not based on genetic hereditary it is built
and gained within ourselves.
Trait Theory- On the basis of these criticisms of great-man theory trait theory was
proposed and this theory suggests that leadership does not come from birth and it is learned and
gained. The characteristics of leadership are highly distinguished by whole set of subsequently
and congenital acquired characters. It is the modification of great-man theory. According to trait
theory the height, weight, maturity, gender, domination and persuasion, responsibility,
intelligence, self-confidence and many more are the key characteristics of leadership. On the
other hand as the great-man theory is criticized the trait theory is also criticized as having the
narrow perspective (Antonakis & Day 2017). As the characteristics of leadership has become
dynamic in nature and depends not only in internal factor upon the external factor as well.
However, according to my view leadership is not a superficial phenomenon that is only confined
with characteristics. There are many other factors which do impact the understanding of
leadership which includes group values, organizational structure, and task structure and based
upon the situation in which the leader is dealing with.
Behavioral Theory- This theory suggests that the effectiveness of a leader does not
depend upon its characteristics but it depend upon its behavior. The leader’s behavior is not
innate and can be seen and learned and moreover and a leader can be well-trained to show its

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effectiveness in organization (Hill, 2017). This theory puts more emphasis on the way the leaders
behave or what the individual does inside the organization not on their inbuilt characteristics
(Antonakis & Day 2017). The behavior deals with these features the way they influence others
the way they communicate with the team, the way they holds the organization, the way they
maintain authority and delegation (Kiarie, Maru, & Cheruiyot, 2017). According the behavior
theory the behavior of the leaders which brings the whole group to success is what a leader is and
as per the previous theories a leader is not independent of the group and is not unique. Leaders
are the ordinary individuals who lead the team and propel till success.
As per the previous theories, numerous other theories and approaches are proposed which
clearly defines the concept of theories such as situational approach, transformational theory of
leadership and Kotter’s model. The leadership style is also an approach which provides the
manner of delivering direction, the way of motivating their team and implementing team in the
organization.
In order to understand the different postures of leadership critical analysis of these three well-
known leaders were evaluated on the basis of their leadership style and relevant theories.
Tim Cook: CEO Apple
Tim Cook, the CEO of a well-known company Apple, which is a multinational company
that deals with manufacturing and selling of consumer electronics. Tim Cook has been
demonstrated as both using his power and control in order to handle the whole company Apple.
Power is also the most important function of leaders. It is evident that Tim Cook’s predecessor
has an immense influence on the company apple and the according to the organizational culture

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of the company influence the leadership style of Tim Cook as the amount of power is in the top
managerial position and Tim Cook became more fearsome.
Leadership Attribute of Tim Cook
It is very important to evaluate and analyze the psychology of the leaders for better
understanding of their behavior. The behavior of individuals can be well explained by the
concept of OCEAN model of personality. According to Hughes, the OCEAN model is a useful
tool in order to profile the leaders (Oladeji & Ayinde 2018). The OCEAN stands for openness,
conscientiousness, extraversion and neuroticism (Spector, 2016). The most exhibited traits of the
five traits is conscientiousness, this factor can be demonstrated by an example: While explaining
the strategy of streamline inventory and the expected cost associated with it, he is known to
remark that the inventory must be managed like the company diary milk (Fischer, 2016). He is
also known for holding his meeting for very long hours and enquires numerous questions until
desired answers and solutions are derived.
Normative Decision Model
Tim Cook leadership is critically evaluated by using relevant theories; these theories
evaluate the employ-employer relation. The leaders have special relationship with their
subordinates and that shows how effectively the employees show their dedication towards their
work. It is evident by Hughes in 2015, that the leaders do not treat their subordinates equally. For
example: Tim Cook at Apple implemented a new program in which the experienced employees
can take sabbaticals, but this is not same with the new employees (Reinfeld, 2015). The
sabbaticals are the extended periods where the employees will still be paid even after they take
time off from their work This program would motivate the other employees to work harder and

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stay longer in this company so as to become eligible for the program. In some cases the leaders
need to take rapid decision without consulting anyone. It is observed that Tim Cook uses
normative decision model, which implies how must contribution does the employee have in the
decision-making process. Tim Cook makes important decisions such as when there was failure of
Apple iMap he issues apology to the public. This was a quality decision that is seen in this
model.
Situational Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
The situational leadership implies to the leaders whose style changes in order to conform
the level of followers that he has been trying to impact (Thompson & Glasø 2015). In 2013
Northhouse praises the situation leadership model as being very intuitively sensible and practical
at the Apple Company. Cook changes his style from being the one who avoids personal small
talks to the one with more extrovert personality (Thompson & Glasø 2015). Understanding
employees is the most important factor of a leader Tim would go to his employees at personal
level and try to understand them better this is an approach of emotional intelligence. The strength
of Tim Cook is, he is adaptable in nature, restorative, influence others and exceptionally creative,
unique approach to problems. The weakness of tim Cook as leader is he expect more from the
employees, shows autocratic leadership style, cannot bear failure.
Jeff Bezos: The CEO of Amazon
Jeff Bezos is one of the successful leaders of the corporate industry with the successful company
Amazon. Profitability and Value Creation is a characteristic which is a trait exhibited by Jeff
Bezos and his leadership took amazon to exponential growth. The following traits of a leader and
visionary are exhibited by Jeff Bezos.

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The five personality traits model is a contemporary trait theory which is being used to
assess the Character traits of Jeff Bezos. Strong emotional stability is exhibited by Jeff Bezos as
per neuroticism which is showcased by his ability to embrace failure and to take risk. Innovation
is a passion of Bezos which is exhibited by his active attitude of entrepreneurship. New
opportunities is being seeked out by Jeff Bezos as he is never satisfied with the accomplishments
which is achieved by him. Leadership traits or qualities are stated with the extraversion and
conscientiousness which means sociability and dominance and achievement and dependability as
found out in a research conducted by the judge.
Motivating and empowering followers is a trait exhibited by transformational leaders
who can develop their skill set and the performance. The values and principles and beliefs are
being followed by all the employees of the company which has been created by Bezos for his
company. This style of leadership is shown by Bezos as he can raise awareness among his
employees to get the expected results. Transformational leadership has four dimensions which
are individualised consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and charisma.
The Hershey and Blanchard theory suggest that Bezos had an exceptional need to satisfy all the
consumers and attending to any problems faced in the production along with the wellbeing of the
employees. Bezos always wanted his employees to participate in all the policy and framework of
the company as he believed this leads to innovation.
Transactional leadership is seen by taking an authoritarian and an approach which is
transactional in style which is exhibited in Jeff Bezos. Jeff Bezos had a style of micro managing
and believing the employees to follow the strict standards of the company. If by using
disciplinary power, short term transactional goals are met or achieved it is a characteristic

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exhibited by transactional leader. Authoritarian Compliance is a style of management exhibited
by Bezos as he determined to adopt the amazon way of working.
Oprah Winfrey: Motivational Speaker
Oprah Winfrey is the most well-known and reputed lady all over the world. Since,
childhood Winfrey had to face many challenges including sexually abused at a very early age
and later becoming the most dominant and powerful media personality. The best leadership style
which defines her personality is transformational and charismatic leader. Oprah Winfrey had
clear vision and mission, which is reflected in her multi award show “Oprah Winfrey Show”.
She is the best example who discarded the theory of the great man theory and trait theory of
leadership. She has inspired millions of people around the world. The transformational
leadership style is the leadership style of leaders in which they are able to transform people
(Turnnidge & Côté 2018). This enables them to sense the capability to achieve something a build
vision and mission in life. This type of leaders has the ability to inspire and motivate and
stimulate the use of their intelligence and self-confidence for problem-solving and achieve their
long-term goals (Hill, 2017). Oprah Winfrey connects with people with her communication
skills, the ability to influence others. The most elegant part of Winfrey is that in the crowd of
male dominant world, she became the most reputed leader of all times. The strength of Oprah
Winfrey is inspirational motivation, individualized consideration, idealized influence and
intellectual stimulation.
Another leadership style which is possessed by Winfrey is Charismatic leadership style.
As she her dominance personality changed the lives of millions of people. Winfrey is self-
confident and shares her personal motivational stories both joy and pain. Charismatic leadership

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style is a new concept in which the leaders act as the strong role model for their values and
beliefs they want their follower to follow and adapt (Stanley, 2016). They tend be dominant in
nature and possess strong desire to influence others. The weakness of Oprah are she tend to make
believe to the individual what she believe like her moral values and ethics and possess a bit
dominant character (Romager, et al. 2017). She possesses the authentic leadership style as she
makes strong connection and bonding with the audience. She has adapted the great sense of
moral values and beliefs.

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Conclusion
It is deferred from the above study that, leadership plays a vital role in the organization as
well as personal levels in order to motivate others to achieve better in future. The three role-
models of leadership Tim Cook, Oprah Winfrey and Jeff Bezos are great leaders who have taken
their organization to its peak. The leaders influence the organizational input that is their
employees, plan strategically in order to get effective organizational outcomes. This impact is
highly reflected on the productivity of the organization and employees job satisfaction as well.
The different theories and framework helps to understand the concept of leadership and how
leaders can do better in organizations and explore themselves better. It has also been analyzed
that how the concept of leadership is changing vigorously day by day and new concepts are
proposed. It is observed that the different types of leadership is played by the leaders in the
organization based upon certain factors, therefore situation leadership plays a major factor in
leadership concept. Therefore, the overall study shows the importance of leadership in
organization.

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