Project Leadership: An Analysis of Robert Hawke's Approach

This essay provides an analysis of Robert Hawke's leadership style and its effectiveness in project management. It explores his leadership behaviors, their impact on projects during his tenure as the Australian prime minister, and compares them to established leadership concepts and literature. The essay highlights Hawke's use of diverse and democratic leadership styles, his emphasis on transformation, and his confidence in his leadership. It also examines how his communication skills, visionary approach, and problem-solving abilities contributed to his success in achieving the goals of the Labor Party. The analysis concludes that Hawke's leadership aligns with the key concepts of effective leadership, such as good communication, caring for subordinates, and visionary thinking, making him a commendable example of a project leader.

Running head: LEADERSHIP IN BUSINESS 1
Leadership in business
Name
Institution

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Executive summary
In most aspects of life, leadership is essential for people to attain their goals. Good
leaders are defined in different ways, like for example what one is able to achieve, how one
relates with his/her followers and other aspects. The purpose of this paper is to discuss what
various dynamics concerning leadership, like for instance, what makes a good leader. The paper
will also discuss the leadership aspects of Robert Hawke, by highlighting his leadership style, the
effectiveness (or otherwise) of his leadership behaviors, the impact these leadership behaviours
have on the project across its lifecycle, and how the analysis compare to the concepts and
literature examined in this subject.
What makes a good leader?
A leader is a person who leads others during a project. The responsibilities of a project
leader include setting expectations for the team members and directing them during the work
(Yusuf, 2013). A project leader is also responsible for a day to day activities and ensuring that
every member work as expected. For one to be a good project leader, he or she must be a
problem solver. He should be able to come up with the solutions to the problems being faced by
employees to ensure efficient workflow.
A project leader should also have good communication skills. This plays a vital role in
achieving organizational goals (David, 2015). He or she should not show negative attitudes to the
team members because this can lower their work morale. Also, communicating well to the team
members regarding their duties and responsibilities helps in avoiding blame games at work. A
good project leader should engage employees in decision making and take their opinions into

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consideration. Leaders should also be creative and innovative. This include coming up with other
ways of doing work other than what employees are used to.
A good project leader should also have confidence (Semiha, 2011). An effective leader
should be confident enough to ensure that others follow your commands. If one is unsure about
his or her decisions and qualities, then the subordinates will not follow you. They will keep
doubting your leadership and fail to do what is expected of them. Having confidence in your
work helps a leader to be respected by the subordinates.
Robert Hawke was the 23rd Australian prime minister who served for the longest time as a
labor party leader from 1983 to 1991. The aim of having a strong leader in this party was to
minimize some of the anti-social issues which deprived the Australian right to make decisions
about their land (Marie, 2011). The previous party leader did not exercise his leadership skills
well and this brought corruption within the party. In his leadership, Hawke displayed good
leadership traits which enabled him to overcome these problems.
The style of leadership deployed by Hawke
One of the leadership styles used by Hawke was diversity. Hawke believed that having a
diverse leadership can help in minimizing anti-social issues in the party (Nunyuia, 2018).
Previously the party did not have a diverse top leadership and this made some people denied
their rights to make decisions about their land. He believed that having a diverse leadership
would enable Australians to receive equal treatment whenever they visited the offices for help.
Hawke also believed in democratic leadership. In his leadership, Hawke involved the
subordinates in his decision making (Lyndal & Louise, 2013). He also involved people’s
representatives to give their views on what they think should be done to minimize corruption in

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the labor party. He also requested them to give out the names of the leaders who are mistreating
them.
Hawke also believed in the power of transformation. During his time as the prime
minister of the labor party, he worked hard to initiate change within the party. He also
encouraged his subordinates and other people involved in one way or the other for the success of
the party to work well towards achieving goals (Mary, 2012). He ensured that he led as an
example to the subordinates and this made it easier for them to work towards the change.
Hawke also believed that aspect and methods of success can be made through people
(Linda & Zamira, 2017). He, therefore, ensured that in whatever plan he takes within the party,
would involve his subordinates to contribute towards achieving it. He also involved people’s
representative to assist in coming up with measures of achieving that goal. Involving these
people would help in coming up with a solution which is in favour of the Australians.
Hawke also had a lot of confidence in his leadership and this made the subordinate follow
his commands (Lyndal & Louise, 2013). He commanded them that people more than two from
the same background should not be in the same office and this was obeyed to the latter. He was
also sure about his decisions and plans and what he implemented for the change worked well.
This made Hawke be one of the most respected leaders in Australia. Having confidence in work
helped in minimizing anti-social problems in the labor party.
The effectiveness (or otherwise) of the leadership behaviours displayed
Hawke had characteristics which enabled him to achieve the labor party goals. Hawke
was a visionary leader with clarity of purpose (Haya & Nir, 2015). He was never satisfied with
the status quo and always pressed forward and encouraged the subordinates to do the same.

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Despite the destructions, Hawke remained firm and pressed towards achieving the party’s goals.
This pressing on and having clarity of purpose enabled him to finish corruption in the labor
party. Being a visionary leader also enabled him to serve the longest term in the office and
achieve many awards.
Good communication skills which Hawke had helped him in achieving his goals. These
included both verbal and non-verbal skills. A good leader should not always expect to be listened
to but also listen to the subordinates (Ismulyana, 2013). Hawke always gave an ear to the
subordinates and people’s representatives and this led to efficient workflow. Also, listening to
people’s representatives helped him gather the necessary information about how they are
mistreated and pressed towards minimizing those problems. Without good communication skills,
Hawke could not achieve his mission.
Being a problem solver and a caring leader made the subordinates coordinate with Hawke
and respect his leadership. Without the support of the subordinates, it’s hard for a leader to
achieve the goals of the organization (Alexandra, 2014). Every employee wants a caring leader
and not a person who is harsh and always makes them feel bad at work. Employees respond well
to leaders who have a strong sense of compassion. They also attend their duties as expected and
also help with ideas when needed. In order to get the best from employees, one should have a
personal connection with them. You should also make them feel that they matter in the company.
These are the things which made Hawke relate well with the subordinates hence achieving his
goals.
Hawke always shared his work with the subordinates. Most leaders like doing work alone
so that they may receive awards or favours. This helped him in achieving goals because sharing
work brings realistic ideas. He divided his work in a productive way which enabled him to know

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the root causes of corruption within the labor party. The dividing of work leads to empowering
of future leaders (Yusuf, 2013). This enabled the party to have effective workers hence
achievement of goals. Leaders aspiring to achieve the organizational goals should employ what
Hawke did during his term as a prime minister for the labor party.
The impact these leadership behaviours have on the project across its lifecycle
Good leadership behaviours displayed by Hawke during his term as a prime minister for
the labor party brought about positive effects which included achievement of goals. Having good
communication skills helped in listening to people’s needs and put the necessary measures into
minimizing the anti-social problems within the party. Also, good communication skill made the
subordinates cooperate and work towards achieving goals (Khushbeen, 2014). Being a caring
leader made the subordinates work tirelessly towards achieving the goals because they felt they
had value within the party.
Also being a visionary leader enabled him to come up with other ways of achieving goals
other than what the employees were used to (Ismulyana, 2013). He pressed on towards achieving
goals and made the subordinates to do what was necessary. Hawke was a problem solver and this
enabled him to come up with solutions to the problems they faced at work. These good
behaviours displayed by Hawke helped him create a good work relationship among the
subordinates hence efficient workflow.
How the analysis compare to the concepts and literature examined in this subject
A good leader should have good communication skill (Khushbeen, 2014). A leader
should not expect to always be listened by the subordinates but should also listen to them. In this
case, hawked portrayed good communication skills and this enabled him to achieve his goals.

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Also, a good leader should be caring (Alexandra, 2014). Employees like working with a
leader who treats them better for it always make them feel good at work. Caring for employees
make them feel appreciated and will always work towards the achievement of the organization's
goals. Hawke always cared for his subordinates and this made them support him with ideas
towards minimizing corruption at the party. It is important for a leader to display good
behaviours because it helps in achieving goals and be respected.
Conclusion
A leader is a person who leads others during a project. The responsibilities of a project
leader include setting expectations for the team members and directing them during the work. A
good leader should have confidence, courage, and able to lead a team in a manner which makes
it overcome all challenges to attain the set goals. Among examples of leaders who have shown
outstanding leadership qualities include Robert Hawke because he was a good decision maker,
displayed good communication skills, was good in problem solving and could share information
with his subordinates. This analysis compares with concepts and literature examined in this
subject because it shows a good leader as a person who should have good communication,
should be caring, and so forth. Hawke is a good example of a leader because his leadership skills
relates to the concepts and literature examined in this subject especially concerning what makes a
good leader.

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