MGMT312 American Public Adaptive Leadership in Organizations Questions

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Introduction:

As a medical professor responsible for designing assignments and evaluating student performance, it is essential to have a strong understanding of various leadership approaches and their impact on working cultures. In this context, the following questions have been addressed:

1. What leadership approach is considered the most dominant among the styles and why?

The transformational leadership approach is considered the most dominant among leadership styles as it emphasizes the leader’s ability to inspire and motivate followers towards a common goal. This approach creates an emotional bond between leaders and their followers, promoting teamwork and effective performance. Additionally, transformational leaders focus on empowering and developing their followers, resulting in individual and team growth.

2. Explain the differences in working cultures in the U.S. verses Japan. How is leadership affected?

In contrast to the U.S., Japanese working culture emphasizes teamwork and group harmony over individualism. Japanese leadership is characterized by a paternalistic approach, where the leader’s responsibility is to protect and guide their team members. In contrast, U.S. leadership favors an individualistic approach, aiming to promote competition and individual achievements. This cultural difference alters leadership approaches, where U.S. leaders focus on individual performance, while Japanese leaders emphasize group performance.

3. Why are conceptual skills (Skills Approach) least important in lower level management?

Conceptual skills are least essential in lower-level management as individuals are mainly responsible for executing specific tasks within a specific domain rather than leading the workforce. Instead, technical and human skills are more vital at this level since these individuals work closely with other employees, directly displaying interpersonal and technical skills.

4. In relation to women in leadership positions, what is the concept of the “glass ceiling”?

The “glass ceiling” refers to an invisible barrier that prevents capable women from reaching top leadership roles in organizations. This barrier is formed due to gender discrimination and stereotypes, where women are believed to lack necessary leadership traits, rendering them unsuitable for top leadership positions.

5. Heifetz et al. (2009) defined four adaptive challenge archetypes that aid in identifying patterns associated with adaptive work. What are the four archetypes (models) and briefly describe (in your own words) what they mean?

The four adaptive challenge archetypes defined by Heifetz and colleagues include technical problems, technical challenges, adaptive challenges, and transformative challenges. Technical problems are simple issues that can be resolved using established procedures. Technical challenges require new solutions and approaches that are readily available in the organization or through consultation. Adaptive challenges are highly complex problems that require innovative solutions beyond the organization’s current knowledge and practices. Transformative challenges require fundamental changes in value, culture, and identity of the organization, ultimately transforming the organization’s mission, strategy, and structure.

6. Explain in your own words, what is the concept of adaptive leadership in organizations?

Adaptive leadership refers to the leader’s ability to manage and respond to challenges and changes in the organization effectively. This approach requires leaders to recognize and accept the need for organizational change and encourage their followers to participate in finding innovative solutions. Furthermore, adaptive leadership emphasizes the leader’s ability to assess and adjust their leadership style according to the specific challenge and the people involved.

7. Explain the four transformational factors associated with the transformational leadership model.

The four transformational factors associated with the transformational leadership model include idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. Idealized influence refers to a leader’s ability to inspire followers to emulate their behavior, values, and standards. Inspirational motivation entails creating a compelling vision that inspires and motivates followers to achieve beyond their capabilities. Intellectual stimulation involves encouraging followers to think critically and challenge the status quo, resulting in creative solutions. Individualized consideration emphasizes the leader’s ability to understand the individual needs, talents, and abilities of team members and create a supportive environment that promotes individual and team growth.

8. The psychodynamic approach to leadership contends that personality is an essential aspect of how we lead and how we follow. What is the concept behind psychodynamic leadership and how does it work to improve effectiveness?

The psychodynamic approach emphasizes the unconscious forces that motivate and influence human behavior, with leaders’ personalities playing a critical role in leadership effectiveness. Psychodynamic leadership assumes that effective leaders possess a strong sense of self-awareness, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs that impact their relationships with team members. Furthermore, effective leaders have an open communicative style, promoting two-way communication, understanding, and respect, ultimately resulting in improved team performance.

9. Teams are generally defined as a group of individuals who come together to achieve an established goal. How does leadership differ when leading a team verses leading a single person?

Leadership differs significantly when leading a team compared to leading a single person. In a team environment, leaders must embrace democratic processes, recognize and appreciate the diversity of skills, knowledge, and opinions in the team, and encourage a collaborative approach to problem-solving. In contrast, leading an individual typically requires a more directive approach as individuals require specific guidance, direction, and support to achieve their goals. However, effective leaders recognize the uniqueness of individuals and adapt their leadership style to meet individual needs.

10. What is the overall premise of the situational theory/model?

The situational theory/model suggests that leadership effectiveness is determined by the leader’s ability to align their leadership style to the follower’s development level. The theory assumes that leaders must observe and assess their follower’s skills, abilities, and motivation level and then adapt their leadership style accordingly. The Situational theory proposes four leadership styles; telling, selling, participating, and delegating, primarily based on the follower’s readiness level to perform the task at hand.