Analysing Leadership & Change Management at Amazon Inc.

This essay delves into the critical functions of leadership, management, and change management within organizations, using Amazon as a case study. It highlights the importance of strategic leadership in navigating change, particularly in Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods. The essay examines various management and leadership approaches, emphasizing the role of human resource management in preparing employees for change and fostering a positive organizational culture. It also discusses the significance of SWOT analysis, change strategies, and the implementation of leadership theories like Trait theory to enhance competitive advantage. The essay concludes by underscoring the importance of continuous improvement, strategic alignment, and proactive change management for sustained growth and success in dynamic business environments.

Management,
leadership and
change

Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
ESSAY.......................................................................................................................................4
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
The leadership and management are considered as two important functions of the
organisation which are effective in managing employees. Change management is also an
integral part of the organisation which helps the company to perform key operations
according to contemporary business environment. Strategic leadership is a key concept which
helps in increasing competitive strength of company. The different companies in the
international and national marketplace focus on strategic leadership in order to facilitate
change management and development (Clepper, 2018). The essay will also include focus on
SWOT analysis of the company in order to lead the marketplace in a set period of time. In
this essay, various approaches to management and leadership which are effective in order to
deal with different consequences related to employee management. In this report example of
Amazon company is taken into consideration which is a multinational e-commerce company.
The Amazon was founded in the year 1994 and is based in United States of America. This
essay will include organisational change which Amazon experienced when it acquired Whole
Foods in the year 2017

ESSAY
Amazon is an online shopping app that helps its customers in reaching various goods and
products and other facilities to be available at their doorstep. Amazon has global reach with
availability of all kinds of goods and products, allowing its customers to have a large variety
of resources and choices. These choices are unlimited and allows its customers to opt for their
choices from all the available options. Amazon lets it’s all users to have anything and
everything from all over the globe as it has global reach and the availability of its products at
their doorstep makes its different and unique from other applications (Crosweller, and
Tschakert, 2020). Amazon is founded by Jeff Bezos and is performing key operations related
to e-commerce in various countries. The change faced by Amazon is faced when it acquired
Whole Foods in the year 2017. This bought major change in the operations and management
of company. The Amazon is getting prepared for facing the change and also managing
change according to contemporary business environment. Strategic change is considered as
major type of technique in order to deal with future objectives and goals.
Human resource management is considered as key and main body of an organisation,
which is helpful in increasing management of employees in a precise manner. The Readiness
to change is ability to face the consequences and issues related to change. HR management is
also one of the major organisational body which is helpful in increasing performance of the
employees to make them ready for change. The human resource management is also
concerned with providing motivation to employees. With the help and support of motivation,
HR manager can increase the mental strength in employees as well as can develop emotional
intelligence. The capability of a company to face the change is strength of a company which
is required to facilitate key operations and development-based perspectives. Readiness for
change should be there in the employees of Amazon to face change with a strategic approach.
In the corporate world, it is key responsibility of a company to focus on analysing major
internal and external factors for facing the desired change according to market demand. The
Leadership is also one of the important functions of an organisation which helps a company
to manage key operations with effectiveness. In an organisation, it is key role of management
to facilitate leadership management using appropriate tools and techniques. The human
resource management also plays a major role in providing training to employees for gaining
competitive advantage. Conflict management is also facilitated by human resource
management in an organisation in order to achieve key advantages in management of
employee problems (Morin, 2018).
The HR management of a company is also effective in making precise culture of the
organisation. With the help of culture management, a company can develop effective internal
environment which is good for employee management. The internal environment of an
organisation is essential to be maintained and developed with the help of major policies and
plans. In leadership, there are various activities and functions which are helpful in controlling
the employees. All major business organisations which are competing in the international
marketplace like Amazon should take into consideration key approaches to management and
leadership. The management of a business should include key considerations which are
important for welfare of whole organisation. Situational leadership is also one of the major
approaches which helps a leader to act according to the situation (Doyle, and Brady, 2018).
All major business organisations should develop a key approach in performance management
to focus on different aspects of business development. In the overall development of an

organisation, human resource management is also responsible for providing professional
training and development. This is one of the major roles of a company to include hiring of
employees on the basis of market demand and their qualifications. The Human resource
management also play an important role in increasing business strength by managing all the
employees of company.
The change strategy is considered as key approach which helps an organisation to
overcome change in a short period of time. In the organisational development, change
strategy plays a key role by increasing organisational strength. The planning of a company
according to situation of marketplace is also facilitated with the help and support of change
management strategies. This is also one of the major role of a company to focus on all major
factors which are desired for growth and development. In order to facilitate change
management, it is key duty of an organisation to put emphasis on its strengths and
weaknesses. This is one of the key role of a business to analyse all major factors associated
with internal and external environment in order to develop a precise approach at the
marketplace (Outram and Parkin, 2020). After acquiring Whole Foods company, Amazon
should implement change strategy with full supervision and control in order to achieve key
results. Company should also analyse key competitive factors associated with its surrounding
environment to include positive business practises on key and major basis. Policies, strategies
and processes of an organisation should be changed or reviewed from time to time for more
growth and development of that organisation. These all are changed with the motive of
achieving goals and objectives effectively and efficiently. These changes also lead the entities
to be updated with all the new trends, innovations and inventions that are going on in any
economy (Mendez, 2020). Amazon uses this change for keeping updates with new trendy
things and all other benefits that come with these changes.
The change in strategies and process are like putting people first. It is important to put
people first for overall growth and development, being people and customers as the most
important part for Amazon, it is necessary to fulfil all needs and wants of customers for
overall growth and development of it. With change in the management model, Amazon also
gets benefits in different ways as this change in model can reduce various costs and can
increase the overall efficiency of its staff members and employees. Amazon can also
empower its employees by making their communication as the strongest part or working
essential part of it. With more implementation and functioning of leadership styles and more
involvement of employees within its functions can also lead to more effective working and
operating of its functioning in between its staff members and employees. Amazon should try
to make all its changes more exciting to work and for its usage among employees. With this,
staff members will be working more fairly and honestly for and with the organisation. When
these changes are made, Amazon should make sure to notice its high and low points or
features or functions, making it weak points strong and strong points a little stronger.
Resistance should also be considered by the top-level management as an important part of
changing strategies and other process. This resistance acts as a barrier for growth and
development for Amazon. Keeping in mind all these resistances, there solutions and other
ways to implement them should be considered for overall growth and development. The HR
team and management should be responsible for all human resources of Amazon, be it
workers, delivery agents, employees or any other staff members. Leaders should get their

work done from the employees on proper time and HR team, manager should also fulfil all its
duties and responsibilities on proper time with great outcomes for the company.
It is essential for a business entity like Amazon to focus on implementing best
practices related to strategic leadership and change in order to lead the marketplace. It is one
of the major roles of a leader to choose one of the major strategic theories of leadership for
facing the change. In the recent times, it is key role of a business to focus on implementation
of right approach to develop systematic leadership operations. The main leadership theory
which Amazon can choose to implement in the organisation is Trait theory. The trait theory
of leadership states that leaders are born not made. The trait leadership theory includes
different personality factors which play a key role in increasing leadership’s strength. These
personality factors are openness to experience, extroversion, Neuroticism and agreeableness.
Next is transactional theory which states that good leaders reward positive actions and punish
negative actions. In the transformational theory, the great leaders can stimulate their
employees to be more creative and reach their full potential. In order to face the major
change, it is crucial role of a leader to develop critical understanding of the consequences and
issues related to change and choose essential trait accordingly.
The change process at Amazon was led with full-fledged actions and goals which are
essential in increasing overall development of the organisation. The change was led by leaders in the
form of HR manager and top level manager which took all administrative actions. This is one of the
major role of a leader to focus on analysing the current situation and act accordingly. Change which
was faced by Amazon in acquiring Whole Food company also made it more competitive and
increased its market potential. The training and development to different employees of Amazon was
also a key The Acquisition based change also created different business opportunities which were
effective in making company more dynamic. First is Kotter’s Change Management Model is used by
Amazon management and this change model is most popular in world (Galli, 2018). In this change
model management focuses on employee’s response to change in increase urgency in this
management create some urgency between all employees in organization so that employees of
amazon become motivated and perform their task with more responsibility and engage them in
process only. Amazon’s management have to build a team which have different types of skills and
knowledge which help them organization to perform different task. Vision which is set by an
organization of Amazon must be realistic, it is practically possible to achieve that objectives of
organization and vision help employees to motivated their work because they know that what they
are working for to achieve so it is important that organization must have clear vision. Communicate
with employees in organization and tell them about changes being implemented so that they what is

going in organization and they also prepare for that change and plan the work accordingly.
Performance management was also a key factor which was very helpful in supporting the change.
Selection of appropriate leadership theory also created a good direction in order to make the change
successful. The change was very much successful with the support of essential strategy and
approach. The change was also successful as it increased profitability and revenue of company. The
change also helped Amazon to achieve competitive advantage and move ahead of competitors in a
well-defined manner.
HR involvement should be there in a maximum manner in an organisation in order to
develop key objectives and goals. Also, with the support of HR involvement, an organisation
can develop key approach at the marketplace and face change in a precise manner. Leaders
include various skills and competencies which are important for leading the team in an
organisation (Evans, 2020). Leaders at Amazon focuses on development of key skills in
themselves as well as in employees to perform key operations. The time management skills
are important for a leader to be developed in order to facilitate key operations and functions.
Time management skills helps a leader and employees to manage day to day tasks with
efficiency. All major companies focus on development of time management skills in order to
gain competency edge. In order to face the change, decision making skills should be also
present in a leader in order to develop effectiveness in key operations. The leader should also
have leadership skills and must choose the best leadership style to manage the employees.
Leader at Amazon use democratic leadership style to manage key employees. Democratic
leadership style is a major tool which helps in formulating key decisions of the organisation.
It is one of the major role of a leader to focus on implementation of democratic leadership
style to increase participation of employees (Peters and Hopkins, 2019). The leader at
Amazon also focuses on development of employees by rewarding them with key monetary
and non-monetary benefits. Human resource management of a business should also help
employees by providing quick resolution of the problems. It is essential for the company to
focus on goals and objectives and achieve them with key focus on management-based
approaches.
The leaders at Amazon also focus on implementation of best and suitable leadership
style in order to lead the marketplace. In order to gain effective edge over different
competitors, it is essential for Amazon to focus on development-based targets. In order to
increase the competitive strength of a company to analyse the major factors which are
important for considering key approach to the organisation. In the stiff competition era, it is
major role of a business to analyse the employee demands and needs which are important for
development of a company. The different companies should develop a systematic marketing
approach in order to gain competency edge. This is one of the major roles of a business to
focus on organisational growth with key emphasis on tools and techniques for overall growth.
The main function of a business at the marketplace should be development of various factors
that are required for company development. – Leadership will lead to influence skills and
capabilities of employees so that they can conduct task and activities in effective manner
(Lumbers, 2018) (Marshall, 2019). Amazon organisation is using participative leadership in
order to provide appropriate guidelines to employees. In this leader of respective company
are participating with employees as well as willing listen their point of views. In this

respective organisation will be able to develop strong relationship among employees and
helps conducting task by considering organisational values and ethics. Effective leadership
will lead to encourage cooperation in between employees so that they perform task in
effective manner.
The SWOT analysis includes the description of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats which are important for systematic development of a company. Amazon must
perform SWOT analysis in order to compete at the marketplace and face desired change
(Philip, 2021). The SWOT analysis of Amazon will help the company to perform key
operations with increased responsibilities and approaches. The human resource management
and financial management are key strengths of Amazon which helps in increasing strength of
company. Human resource management of Amazon has professionally trained and skilled
employees who play a major role in management of employees. Financial management of
Amazon helps in maintaining financial transactions of the company in a well- defined
manner. The financial management of a company also helps the business of Amazon to
access financial strength and position of company. Main weaknesses of Amazon are its
research and development department and information and technology management (Faupel,
and Süß, 2019). The research and development department of Amazon focuses on
development of innovation and responsible for the market survey and research. Information
and technology department of Amazon should take into consideration usage of advance
computer systems and software to perform key operations.
The opportunities are termed as scope available to Amazon for performing new
operations and functions. For Amazon expansion and growth are considered as two major
business opportunities which are available. Growth and expansion help a company to
increase its revenue and profitability at the marketplace. Threats creates risk for the company
to perform all operations in a systematic manner. It is important for a company to take into
account all threats and develop a competitive strategy to deal with the same. Amazon has
major threat from all competitors which can impact on its functions and organisations. The
company should face all its major competitors with strategic choices and actions to deliver
best business practices. Major companies like E-Bay and Ali Baba are giving tough
competition to Amazon and is demanding for major change. This is one of the major roles of
top-level management and board of directors of Amazon company to develop planning
framework and strategy. In the recent times, many companies focus on increasing business
strength by taking into consideration key models and theories (Schell, 2019). The SWOT
analysis will help Amazon to analyse its current situation and act according to key market
forces and demand. In the development of a company, it is essential role of management to
focus on analysing key factors which are associated with internal and external environment.
The management of Amazon company should perform SWOT analysis with the help and
support of professional employees to maintain optimum decorum at the marketplace.
In this section, example of situation where Amazon has acquired Whole Foods company is
taken into consideration. This acquisition bought major change in the company and is
demanding management roles in order to deal with situation.
Now Amazon apply of application key chain models in organization that is help
management to find out each potential areas of business and implement different strategies to

reduce or minimise those hurdles which come have to prepare before start the process. This
change model help employees of organization to improve their communication and make
effective strategy in reference to organization survival in market for long term (Smith, 2019).
There are various types of change model which management of organization have to apply to
become more effective in making and implementing strategy and make organization sustain
long term in market. Second is McKinsey Change Management Model is used by Amazon’s
management to plan strategies and prepare structure of organization. In this also management
have to examine how much staff required and types skills required in employees to perform
activity of organization. Third is ADKAR change Management Model n this model
Management of Amazon have to examine all gaps which is arise while accomplishing the
objectives and bridge all gaps so that next time is not happened in organization while
achieving objectives. ADKAR stands for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and
Reinforcement respectively (Xenikou, 2022). This all factors have to focus by management to
accomplished organization objectives. Fourth is Kubler-Ross this model is different from
other models because in this management have focus to employee oriented in Amazon
Organization. In this loss of job, change in work condition and more other health issues of
employees in organization have to understand by management. In this Denial stage where
employees are not ready and willing or accepting change in organization and next stage is
and anger where employee lose their patience level and become anger in organization. Fifth
stage is Lewin’s change management model in this management of Amazon is applied in
organization to better understand of change in structure and this model contain 3 main stages
which are first is Unfreeze which is for preparation stage where employees get prepared for
change in organization (Starr, 2021). Second is Change in this new strategies and plans is
implemented by good leadership and effective employee communication and third stage is
Refreeze where employees are preparing their mind set and back to their work in
organization.
HR leadership is very important aspect for management of organization. HR are
pillars of organization because it always helps management to examine all work force which
is required to perform an activity of organization. HR is responsible for that they help
employees in organization that they must feel comfortable and if any issue is faced by an
employee then HR have responsibility that they must have to resolve problems of employees
and provide them solution and this will make employee more sustain in organization for long
time (Heathfield, 2019). There are different leadership skills which HR have to perform in
Amazon organization. First leadership skills which HR have to play in organization is
Transformational Leadership in this leadership HR have to work with unique style in
organization so that it motivates employees to perform their task with most effective way. In
Amazon organization HR have to make sure that each employee is fully potential to perform
their task with very unique style so that they influence other workers to perform and enhance
their performance.
Second is Participatory Leadership in this employee must have that skills to take out
themselves from any situation which arise in organization and HR of Amazon should take
care that employees are facing any issue in organization which will hamper their work then
HR should help employee to get out from this situation. Third is Situational Leadership in
which employees of Amazon make leaders according to situation arise and they believe that
this representative can resolve this problem and HR have to take care that this that issue will

not go longer and as soon as possible resolve this problem making good resolution from this
problem. HR responsibility because if any issue is arising in organization then HR have
responsibility to solve that issue by making most effective decision so that employees will be
motivated for their work and responsibility in organization. It will enhance their work
performance in organization and it indirectly impact organization growth and achieved
organization goal with efficiency. If problem was not solved by HR, then employee don’t
perform their task with full motivation and it will create another problem in organization and
it will affect production and performance level of organization and employees too.
In organization HR have to play various role in management for their smooth running
and their operations. Management of an organization totally depend and trust on HR that they
always help organization to improve their work performance and productivity level by
selecting skills employees which perform their task with more efficiency in organization.
This will help organization to enhance their work performance level in market and this will
easily compete competitors in market. There are different roles which HR have to perform in
organization for development and growth in market. First role of HR in Amazon organization
are Compensation and Benefits to employees (Jia, Gong and Brown, 2019). HR is responsible
for to decide that each pay role for each designation in organization. Employees who should
perform good task then HR should must give extra rewards so that employees is confident
and motivated for their responsibility in Amazon organization. Second is Recruiting and
Staffing which HR have to play in Amazon organization. HR is having responsibility that
organization have to recruit the employees according to their operation activity and it is
important that employee must be have skills to perform activity which they have to assign to
perform in order to achieve objectives of organization. This is most important functions that
HR have to play because employees are the most important asset in organization to perform
their operational activity which help them to developed their business and grow their business
in market. Amazon of HR have to play important role in organization because it is important
for Amazon that their employees must have ability to perform activity of organization in most
effective way which will help Amazon to achieve their objectives. Third is Safety and
Compliance in which HR is responsible that they must have to take all measure steps and
precaution that will make employees feel safe in organization like that management provide
full secured of employee’s job so that employees also work for that secure it place in
organization for long-time by their work performance in their assign task.
Amazon should provide full opportunity to all employees to secure their designation by
performing well in organization and organization also have responsibility that they have to
make feel all employees safe in organization until and unless employee do not perform aby
activity in organization which illegal (Kerber and Buono, 2018). Fourth is Training and
Development of skills and knowledge of employees who joined new in company It is
important that new employee is must get training and they developed their skills so that they
are able to perform their activity which is assign in organization. HR have to take care that
each individual employee who join Amazon must get trained by their trainers and they
developed their skills so that they are able to perform their task in organization. It indirectly
helps organization that they accomplished their objectives with effectiveness in market and
management of an organization are able to generate more profits in organization, so that they
expand their business. It important that new employees must developed new skills and
knowledge which is given by trainer while training period then only it is possible that

employee can perform in organization and help management to attain their objectives with a
given time frame in market.

CONCLUSION
From the above stated essay, it can be concluded that in the era of stiff competition
between companies, it is essential for a business entity to focus on implementing best
leadership and management approaches. This project concludes the effectiveness of strategic
and top level management to facilitate key operations and functions related to business
development. This project concludes the importance of SWOT analysis in determination of
internal strength and weaknesses that are faced by a company while implementing the
change. In the recent times all major companies in domestic and global marketplace focus on
developing strategic approach to deal with the change. This project concludes the role played
by human resource management to manage all kinds of change.

Lessons learnt
Following are lessons learnt from the essay
 The leaders are supposed to develop key skills like decision making, team
management, time management and coordination in order to handle the
organisational change in an effective manner.
 In order to develop an effective approach in managing change, it is essential for
the project manager to focus on formulating and selecting strategic choices.
 The leader should be also future oriented and achieve all the targets of change
with the help and support of team members.
 In order to lead the change a leader should also focus on selecting most
appropriate leadership style like Democratic to increase employee engagement
and employee productivity.

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