Applied Research Technologies, Inc

Abstract

Peter Vyas of Applied Research Technologies exhibits Democratic leadership traits in order to motivate and guide his team for project completion. Through several failed attempts under his control Vyas is faced with a final challenge to deliver a product under new VP leadership that will determine the fate of the entire Filtration Unit. Cynthia Jackson who must make effective decisions in her newly appointed duties excercises many of her choices with a Democratic approach. Leadership styles should not be viewed as a single mandatory position but more less dependant on the situations to which they adhere to. In this case we see a Democratic approach to which I would have felt comfortable excercising myself. In a similar and recent case my upper leadership has been forced with like circumstances in government contracting. The decisions and excutions made have allowed for the positive growth and stabilization that was much needed within the operating unit.

Assignment #1 - Applied Research Technologies, Inc.

Peter Vyas Leadership Style

Peter Vyas is the general manager of the Filtration Unit for Applied Research Technologies (ART). Throughout the appointment of his position he has been in charge of reforming the unit to alleviate a number of failures that occurred in the past. In doing this Vyas utilized vacancies from the positions that had high turnover to establish a new team that he felt would bring the unit into direction with the five year window he was given for product marketability. Vyas also decided on including the India Technical Center (ITC) into the plans to maximize the levels of success in the new product. Vyas appointed Janice Wagner as the team lead to bring a new prospect to the business. The team through two failed attempts for a water oxidation system was on their final leg and requesting a large line of funds in which Vyas had to make a decision that would impact the units potential for future operations.

Democratic leaership allows for members of the team to make decisions. The contributions that are made from team members such as Wagner and from the support of ITC are viewed and weighed heavily when it is time for Vyas to make his decisions. Vyas demonstrates though his delegations of duties such as Phase prepparations, research and development, and other areas in the project completion. Vyas is big on the team cohesion and values the ability for the unit to work together effectively even after multiple failed attempts in previous systems. Although in the second phase he had to be more commanding than usual, Vyas expressed his concerns for perfection and outlined a deadline that must be met with a prototype that would not fail. Ensuring the creditabily of not only the product but the unit as a whole was a priority that Vyas has set for him and outlined by his democratic leadership styles.

Cynthia Jackson Leadership Style

Cynthis Jackson being the newly appointed Vice President for ART's Water Management Division has a huge responsibility in regards to the Filtration Unit. The decision to either fund the unit for another attempt at a product that has two known failures or to close down the unit and face hardships for the employees is not an easy task. Jackson knows that whatever decision that she makes will have to be based off of facts and reasoning and not opinion of past experiences. The wrong decision at this level with a line of credit of two million dollars.

It would be difficult to argue that with the evidence presented in this case Jackson does not present a similar style of leadership to Vyas. Jackson shows openess and willingness to accept the ideas of the Filtration Unit to develop a final product that requires a large amount of funding with an even greater risk for failure. Jackson outlines in private discussions with Vyas her concerns of discipline with the unit while showing willingness to allow another attempt for him to turn his unit around to prevent a shutdown. Jackson is respectful of the teams ideas but interjects recommendations for change that she feels would be a better direction of the product. The dependance of the project in regards to knowledge is spread amongst the divisions with the decisions made by Jackson and Veyas which will allow for a growth in direction yet to be seen by the division.

Steve Limox Leadership Style

Although it is stated throughout text and research that not one style of leadership is better than another. I would justify that an effective leader has the capability to adjust their style of leadership to reflect the project and situations that they are in. Throughout the majority of my professional life I have utilized mainly the Democratic style of leadership with the occasional usages of other styles. The leadership style in my line of work and life experiences has been beneficial because it allows for levels of cohesion and social bonding to occur in which all members feel a sense of accomplishment with the project is in work and upon completion. There have been times in my military career where the authoritative and command style of leadership was needed but those exposures seem to be more fitting severe