Leadership Case Report: Leadership Analysis of Virgin Group

This case report provides a comprehensive analysis of Richard Branson's leadership within the Virgin Group. The report begins with an abstract summarizing the importance of effective leadership in achieving organizational objectives, focusing on Branson's role in fostering team spirit and implementing behavioral and transformational leadership theories. The background section highlights Branson's key leadership functions, including setting a clear vision, motivating employees, and resolving conflicts. The theoretical discussion delves into the importance of teamwork, communication, and employee development. The analysis section examines Branson's leadership through the lens of behavioral and transformational leadership theories, detailing how he applies these approaches to achieve organizational goals. The report also includes reflections on the learning experience, highlighting the importance of motivation, communication, and team building in leadership. Finally, an action plan is proposed to improve leadership skills, and the report concludes with a summary of the key findings.

Leadership Case Report

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................1
BACKGROUND.............................................................................................................................1
THEORITICAL DISCUSSION......................................................................................................1
ANALYSIS OF LEADERSHIP......................................................................................................3
REFLECTION.................................................................................................................................5
ACTION PLAN...............................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

ABSTRACT
The organisation is able to acquire set objectives with the help of effective leadership
qualities. Leaders are responsible to develop vision for the company along with building morale
of employees to work on it. In this context, Richard Branson has been taken which is a leader for
Virgin group. He develops feeling of team spirit among group members to accomplish desired
actions in favour of organisation. Cited leader makes use of behavioural theory of leadership and
transformational theory to improve their performance for the whole group. Also, these theories
are crucial to motivate employees for concerned goals. An action plan is prepared to improve
present ability and communication skills of a leader. It will take measures like attending
seminars, reading newspapers and e-learning process to develop these qualities.
BACKGROUND
Leadership refers to an action of leading people in an organisation towards achieving
goals and objectives. In present case, Richard Branson has been focused which leads whole
Virgin group. Richard plays a crucial role in smooth functioning of business entity. He sets clear
vision for the enterprise, motivates its followers, guides them and builds their morale to work in
favour of the organisation (Schein, 2010). In contemporary world, there are various roles and
responsibility performed by the cited leader in order to ensure successful attainment of mission
for the company. At first, Richard set clear vision for whole group and communicate the same to
different CEOs. He influences the employees to perform their duties by explaining them their
duties and its importance in achieving goals. Another function played by him is to motivate,
guide and build morale of his followers to put in as many efforts as they can to acquire
objectives. It helps to improve the performance and productivity of Virgin Group. In addition, he
plays an effective role in resolving conflicts or critical issues faced by the top level orifical of the
aforesaid group (Selznick, 2011).
THEORITICAL DISCUSSION
It is well known fact that leadership is a process of directing behaviour of others towards
the accomplishment of some common objectives. One of the major function performed by a
leader is to create feeling of team spirit among various members. Leaders like Richard Branson
always enact with help of group that comprises many people with different perspectives and
personalities. In order to gather them for a collective purpose, mentioned leader have to adopt
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several policies. Teamwork leads to proper execution of activities framed by leaders (Gardner
and Laskin, 2011). The team leader provides direction, instructions and guidance to group
members which certainly result in accomplishment of goals.
Further, mentioned leader perform various activities that build coordination and
cooperation among followers or employees. He develop a strategy to be used by CEOs of
different company such Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Train, Mobile and other sector of Virgin group.
Through this, he is able to acquire desired results. Employees are aware about their roles and
responsibilities which does not create situation of confusion between them. The leader provides
guidance to manager for training on regular intervals in order to make them aware about recent
trends and pattern. Discussions are held in detail so that new ideas can be generated for benefit of
the company (Wheatley, 2010). They will make analysis of each and every aspect so that it does
not cause any problem in the future. This helps to build collective interest among team members.
Moreover, Richard Branson develop such an environment that employees are able to
communicate in effective manner with the top level officials. Interaction among leaders and
employees is essential to conduct operations successfully. He communicates clear instructions to
CEOs so that they can perform the work accordingly. Along with this, he also takes feedbacks
from CEOs to recheck whether some issues are created due to this. It helps to identify strength
and weaknesses of every business in order to rectify the same in effectual manner. Also, Richard
is then able to instruct every CEOs according to his/her potential or capability (Aaker and
Joachimsthaler, 2012). It builds strong bonding between leaders and their followers to execute
operations effectively. In order to strengthen relationship between CEO, Richard often conduct
sessions. It not only improves capability and skills of individuals but they are also able to interact
with each other. It provides opportunities to CEOs of his group to come in contact and have
discussions on various topics. Every individual posses certain qualities and attributes that are
different from other people. While, participating in seminars and conferences they are able to
exchange their thoughts. It further develops coordination, feeling of trust and confidence among
each other.
When several people work together they are able results attained are much more positive
(Raelin, 2011). Teamwork makes planning, organising and implementing procedure easy. They
make use of effective communication channel so that operations are completed efficiently. It
encourages people to openly express their themes and ideas among team members. There is a
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general belief that activities when conducts in team work derive better and faster results rather
than conducted by an individual. Leaders are responsible to develop team spirit among
individuals to attain organisational goals and objectives. They recognise potential of every team
member and assign them tasks accordingly (Ward, 2011). In this manner, organisation and
professionals both are benefited in significant manner.
ANALYSIS OF LEADERSHIP
For several years, researchers have examined leadership as an effective tool to attain
organisational goals. Experts have proposed numerous theories to present leadership in effective
way. It includes trait theories like trait, behavioural, contingency and full range model of
leadership. Here, two of the major leadership theories will be discussed with references to
Richard Branson:
Behavioural theory of leadership
According to this theory, leadership is a set of behaviour that develops and leads an
organisation. As per this theory, Richard developed a taxonomy of actions and identified broad
patterns of various leadership styles (Hargreaves and Fink, 2012). He laid focus on
understanding behaviour of CEOs opposed to their mental, physical and social characteristics.
The theory provides real marketing potential by studying an individual specific response to
specific stimuli.
Behavioural theory of leadership incorporates B.F. Skinners theory of behaviour
modification. Considering this, it can be evaluated that Richard Branson depends upon effect of
reward and punishment depending on changing behaviour. It can be explained by an instance
that the cited leader motivates desired behaviour by having close monitoring with CEOs of
different company in order to attain set objectives.
After making proper evaluation of studies conducted for leadership qualities it was
exclaimed that there are two groups of behaviour (Herman, 2011). First one is people oriented
behavioural leaders who focuses on ensuring that the inner needs of people are satisfied. In this
respect, Richard Branson with people focus has behaviour to characterise qualities like
encouraging, observing, listening, coaching and mentoring. Another group identified in
behavioural theory is task oriented leaders. Here more focus is led on behaviour of organisation
structure and operating procedures to keep control. It is notable fact that Richard Branson even
act as task oriented leader where major concern is laid over attaining organisational objectives
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through any mode (Jackson and Parry, 2011). Although he is also concerned about staff
motivation in order to execute policies in significant manner. Based on this, it can state that
Richard is featured with quality like initiating, organising, clarifying and information gathering.
Hence, Richard Branson is considered as behavioural leader as he has a behaviour of attaining
organisational goals.
Transformational leadership theory
It is also known as exchange theory of leadership and full range theory of leadership,
which enhances motivation and morale in work environment. The theory states that leaders
interact with his/her followers and able to create bond with them (Daft, 2014). Considering this,
it has been evident that leadership qualities of Richard Branson are met with transformational
leadership theory as well. This is so because he is focused on developing better and strong
relationship with each CEOs of the Virgin group. He develops trust and later on increase
motivation both intrinsic and extrinsic among leaders and followers. As per this theory, leaders
transform their followers through inspirational nature and charismatic personalities. Same is
done by Richard Branson with the informal and charismatic personalities that inspire CEO
working under him to develop sound results. Due to this, rules and regulations adopted are
flexible and are modified with course of time at Virgin Group.
Further, Richard covers full range of essential qualities as good leaders which are
individualised consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and idealised
influence. According to this theory, leaders take in consideration detailed analysis of strengths
and weaknesses of individuals (Beck and Cowan, 2014). They attend each follower a mentor to
guide them in performing their duties. Same is done by the cited leader with close interaction
with top level official and Board member of Virgin group. In addition, he develops intellectual
level of followers by making them face certain challenges. Through this, ability of varied CEOs
gets improved weighing the context of predicting future along with potential to sustain in a
critical condition. Inspirational motivation by Richard Branson act as degree to which leaders
articulates a vision that is appealing and inspiring to followers.
In addition to it, with the charismatic personality of Richard Branson, employees of
Virgin Group are able to put in effective efforts to perform assigned tasks in significant manner.
The employees are able to enrich their potential to make effective actions in favour of
organisation. Richards also enact as role model for high ethical behaviour, instils pride and gains
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respect and trust for them (Dubrin, 2015). Hence, transformational leadership of Richard
Branson reflects that humans in general seek to maximize pleasurable experiences and to
diminish unprocurable acts. s
REFLECTION
The present report provided me extensive knowledge about the topic leadership. I read
various books, journals and articles related to leadership in order to understand the concept
clearly. It helped to understand various theories applied by different leaders to achieve their
desired goals. There are various advantages that I gained while preparing this report. It increased
my concentration power to read out and study different aspects of any subject matter. This
ultimately improved my confidence level to conduct such research work. Along with this it
improved my speed and fluency to undertake operations within given time-scale.
As I read many articles related to leadership concept I learnt about various motivational
theories. I got to know about this fact that motivation acts as a fuel to effectively implement
one's roles and responsibilities. I was motivated by articles of some leading personalities. The
manner in which they gave importance to team building and team spirit in the organisation. I was
impressed that trust and confidence helps to gain better results for the business enterprises.
Strong relationship between team members helps to resist in critical conditions. They are able to
develop quality of adjusting and managing critical situations.
In addition to development of motivation in me the report also helped to improved my
communication skills. I attended various seminars and conferences that helped me to understand
importance of soft spoken skills. Effective communication plays crucial role in anticipating and
exchanging views related to a topic. As a professional I am able to develop my present ability
skills while preparing this report. I received many opportunities to express my thoughts and
idealogical about leadership, motivation and communication. It provided better opportunities to
present my ideas in effective way. Although, I felt the need to innovate new theories of
leadership as today's modern world operates on the principle of competition. They need to
develop strategies which not only motivates employees but make them efficient and skilled to
perform different tasks in favour of the company. Thinking and learning process should be
boosted so that better strategies are developed (Chhokar, Brodbeck and House, 2013).
Researchers should evaluate and reflect current leadership capabilities and identify skill gaps that
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need to be addressed. I am satisfied that this report cleared my concepts related to leadership and
encouraged to adopt motivational theories in routine settings.
ACTION PLAN
In order to develop skills and abilities related to leadership following action plan is
prepared:
 Communication and present ability skills are two essential factors that need to be
developed to become effective leader. Through communication I am able to make
understand his ideas and thoughts to other. In return, he also receives feed back and new
ideas from others. Another skill that needs to be modified is present ability through which
I am able to express myself technically.
 To improve and develop both these abilities I will make use of various resources like
attending seminars, conferences and public discussions. I will also read newspapers,
journals and magazines related to leadership theories (Harleigh, 2016). In addition, I will
make use of internet services and visit various personality development websites to watch
articles and videos related to it.
 Through the implementation of this action plan I am able to present myself and my ideas
in effective manner. I attained greater benefit by developing my communication and
present ability skills.
CONCLUSION
The present report reflects significance of leadership in attaining organisational
objectives of a company. Leaders play crucial role in building vision for business enterprise and
communicate them effectively to employees. They are responsible to guide and encourage
employees towards desired outcomes. The report describes various leadership theories used to
make operations successful for the organisation. Further, an action plan is prepared to improve
communication and present ability skills of an individual.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aaker, D.A. and Joachimsthaler, E., 2012. Brand leadership. Simon and Schuster.
Beck, D.E. and Cowan, C., 2014. Spiral dynamics: Mastering values, leadership and change.
John Wiley & Sons.
Chhokar, J.S., Brodbeck, F.C. and House, R.J. eds., 2013. Culture and leadership across the
world: The GLOBE book of in-depth studies of 25 societies. Routledge.
Daft, R., 2014. The leadership experience. Cengage Learning.
Dubrin, A., 2015. Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills. Nelson Education.
Gardner, H. and Laskin, E., 2011. Leading minds: An anatomy of leadership. Basic Books.
Hargreaves, A. and Fink, D., 2012. Sustainable leadership (Vol. 6). John Wiley & Sons
Herman, R.D., 2011. The Jossey-Bass handbook of nonprofit leadership and management. John
Wiley & Sons.
Jackson, B. and Parry, K., 2011. A very short fairly interesting and reasonably cheap book about
studying leadership. Sage.
Raelin, J., 2011. From leadership-as-practice to leaderful practice. Leadership. 7(2). pp.195-211.
Schein, E.H., 2010. Organizational culture and leadership (Vol. 2). John Wiley & Sons.
Selznick, P., 2011. Leadership in administration: A sociological interpretation. Quid Pro Books.
Ward, J.L., 2011. Keeping the family business healthy: How to plan for continuing growth,
profitability, and family leadership. Palgrave Macmillan.
Wheatley, M.J., 2010. Leadership and the new science: Discovering order in a chaotic world.
ReadHowYouWant. com.
Online
Harleigh. S., 2016. What is leadership?. [Online]. Available
through:<http://smallbusiness.chron.com/leadership-56438.html>. [Accessed on 6th May2016].
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