Organizational Behavior and Leadership

Organizational Behavior & Leadership 317.1

Task 2

Based on the information in the text book, Organizational Behavior by Robbins & Judge, and the article, Triumph of Humility & Fierce Resolve, in the Harvard Business Review by Jim Collins, the style of leadership that is attributed to Executive A is level 5. Executive A demonstrates the specific traits of a level 5 leader such as:

 Being described as driven, fiercely ambitious, and entirely focused on the success of the company

 Shying away from personal attention or press recognition

 Crediting other leaders in the organization for the company's successes

 Quickly accepting personal responsibility for mistakes and poor results

 Taking pride in mentoring and developing strong leaders within the company

 Taking the helm of a failing company that was losing over $2,000,000 per year and turning that company around so that it was profitable within the second quarter of tenure

* The above check list is adapted from the task 1 information listed on Task Stream: (Robins, S.P. & Judge, T.A. 2007)

Per the information provided, the leadership style of Leader B is transactional. The characteristics that Leader B exhibits that are consistent with a transactional leader designation are:

 Establishes clear goals by clarifying role and task requirements

 Continually guides subordinates in the direction of these goals

 Believes in rewarding good performance and recognizing employee accomplishments

 Will issue punishment for failures but will also reward subordinates for their successes

The above check list is adapted from the instructions and information provided for task 2 on Task Stream: (Robins, S.P. & Judge, T.A. 2007)

Using the information given in the instructions for task 2 in Task Stream, Leader C is a transformational leader. The characteristics displayed by leader C that fit a transformational leadership style are that he/she:

 Encourages followers to rise above their own self-interest for the good of the organization

 Believes that people can achieve great success when they are inspired and passionate about a vision

 Continually sets high expectations for subordinates

 Instills a sense of pride in the corporation in all employees

 Takes pride in instituting a rational approach to problem-solving

 Gives personal attention and treats each employee individually by remembering birthdays and other special events

 Prefers that employees see their leader as a coach or mentor

The above check list is from information found in the instructions and given facts for task 2 on Task Stream. ( Robbins, S.P. & Judge, T.A. 2007)

The leadership style of Leader B (transactional) could affect the employees' and corporation's performance if he/she were appointed CEO when Executive A retires due to the following leadership characteristics:

* Leader B focuses on Contingent Reward

* Leader B, a transactional leader, practices "Management by Exception"

Contingent Reward deals with the