The water cooler has become a symbol in business life. Like any common gathering place in an office slightly removed from the cubicles and desks, the water cooler is a place to share information, both casual and vital, and to build networks with colleagues with whom you do not necessarily interact on a daily basis. The water cooler discussion activity this week will help you get into the practice of looking beyond your metaphorical cubicle to seek out topical news stories and ideas and analyze them with your instructor and colleagues. Familiarity with current trends, topics, and events is an important element of your participation and success in the business world and in your MBA program.
To prepare for this Discussion:
- Access the Walden Library by clicking on the following link: https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library
Note: You may want to bookmark this link, as you will be utilizing the Walden Library throughout your master’s program.
- Navigate to the Business Source Complete database. For more information about finding a specific database, access the following resource:
- Walden University. (n.d.). How do I find a specific database
- Links to an external site…
- https://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/faq/73255
- Research the Business Source Complete database in the Walden Library for interesting and compelling articles on the topic of leadership styles. There are many different leadership styles from which to choose. Here are some common leadership styles that you can use as key words in your search in the library: democratic leadership, participative leadership, laissez-faire leadership, charismatic leadership, authoritarian leadership, and autocratic leadership. For more information about setting up your database search, access the following resource:
- Walden University. (n.d.). Example of database search with one term
- Links to an external site…
- https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/library/keyword/setupyoursearch#s-lg-box-20133882
- Select an article from the library that resonates with you. You need to access the full text of the article, and it should be more than 2 pages in length. Do not worry if the article you select has a complicated research design (i.e., describes complex quantitative research techniques), as usually the introduction and summary conclusion pages have interesting concepts and findings to discuss.
Note: Most of the articles you find in Business Source Complete will provide a PDF of the article. For the water cooler activity, it is preferable to attach the PDF of the article to your post. If the article you find in Business Source Complete only provides the full text as an HTML file, paste the HTML file in a Word document and attach it to your post. For more information about saving an article as a PDF, access the following resource:
- Walden University. (n.d.). How do I save an article as a PDF?
- Links to an external site...
- https://academicanswers.waldenu.edu/faq/73233
Post your analysis of your selected library article as follows:
- Provide the author(s) and title of the article on leadership style(s) that you found interesting. Include the article as an attachment to your post (either as a PDF or Word document, as previously indicated).
- In your own words, provide a brief analysis of what the article says about leadership style(s) in business, including an explanation of why you chose the article, and what you learned from it, relative to what you have studied throughout the course to date.
Transformational Leadership
Using these resources, you will examine the framework of transformational leadership. Transformational leaders focus on what their followers need. Instead of making sure they are served by their team, transformational leaders invest in their team’s development and guide their team toward growth. Can you think of a leader with these qualities who may have had an influence on your life?
· Anthony, S. D., & Schwartz, E. I. (2017, May 8). What the best transformational leaders do . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–9. http://hbr.org
· Boamah, S. A., Spence Laschinger, H. K., Wong, C., & Clarke, S. (2018). Effect of transformational leadership on job satisfaction and patient safety outcomesLinks to an external site. . Nursing Outlook, 66(2), 180–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2017.10.004
· Chin, T. L., Lok, S. Y. P., & Kong, P. K. P. (2019). Does transformational leadership influence employee engagementLinks to an external site. . Global Business and Management Research: An International Journal, 11(2), 92–97.
· Cleavenger, D. J., & Munyon, T. P. (2013). It’s how you frame it: Transformational leadership and the meaning of workLinks to an external site. . Business Horizons, 56(3), 351–360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2013.01.002
Authentic Leadership
Authentic leadership focuses on whether leadership is genuine and real. Authentic leaders come across as being trusting, ethical, and sensitive to the needs of others. Harvard Business School professor Bill George is most credited with initiating the conversation on leadership and focused on developing an authentic leadership model, which is referenced in these resources. In these resources, you will explore the characteristics and strengths of authentic leadership. As you do so, consider what authentic leadership looks like for you.
· Dhiman, S. (2011). Personal mastery and authentic leadershipLinks to an external site. . Organization Development Journal, 29(2), 69–83.
· George, B. (2016). The rise of true north leadersLinks to an external site. . Leader to Leader, 2016(79), 30–35. https://doi.org/10.1002/ltl.20215
· Talks at Google. (2015, November 2). Discover your true north | Links to an external site. Bill George | Talks at Google [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mea0u1FfOcM
· White, R. P. (2017, June 20). Answer the call for authentic leadershipLinks to an external site. . Chief Learning Officer, 16(5), 54–65.
Servant Leadership
Servant leaders are responsive first and foremost to the needs of followers, placing others before themselves. They empower followers and help them achieve their personal and professional objectives and goals. Have you ever worked under or been taught by someone who displayed qualities of a servant leader? Using these resources, you will examine some of the benefits and strengths of servant leadership.
· Cable, D. (2018, April 23). How humble leadership really works . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–5. http://hbr.org
· Schwantes, M. (2015, May). Servant leadership: The case for the best leadership philosophyLinks to an external site. . Leadership Excellence, 32(5), 30–31.
· Walker, C. A. (2015, September 15). New managers need a philosophy about how they’ll lead . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–4. http://hbr.org
Authoritarian Leadership
In these resources, you will explore the authoritarian leadership style. Authoritarian leaders retain control and power. They usually make decisions without relying on (or in some cases even considering) other people’s opinions. The term “authoritarian” can stir mixed feelings for many people, but as you explore this topic, try to keep an open mind. Consider instances where this leadership style could be beneficial in leading people, as well as where it could be detrimental to influencing followers.
· Chhaya, N. (2019, July 25). Does your leadership style scare your employees? Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Du, J., Li, N. N., & Luo, Y. J. (2020). Authoritarian leadership in organizational change and employees’ active reactions: Have-to and willing-to perspectivesLinks to an external site. . Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 3076. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.03076
· Hull, J. W. (2015, March 6). Learn to become a less autocratic manager . Harvard Business Review Digital Articles, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Organization Communication Channel. (2020, January 25). Autocratic leadership style Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4VucyevSZ8
Participative Leadership
Participative leadership is demonstrated when leaders actively involve followers in decision-making processes. In this type of democratic environment, it is less likely for employees to be given their “orders from the top” and more likely to “have a say.” Have you even been on a team that was either led by a participative leader or led by someone who was the complete opposite? As you explore these resources, consider the benefits and challenges to this leadership style.
· Chan, S. C. H. (2019). Participative leadership and job satisfaction: The mediating role of work engagement and the moderating role of fun experienced at workLinks to an external site. . Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 40(3), 319–333. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-06-2018-0215
· Ibarra, H., & Hansen, M. T. (2011, July–August). Are you a collaborative leader? Harvard Business Review, 89(7/8), 68–74.
· Organizational Communication Channel. (2020, February 3). Democratic leadership style Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_oCEre1NJ0
· Sy, T., Horton, C., & Riggio, R. (2018). Charismatic leadership: Eliciting and channeling follower emotionsLinks to an external site. . The Leadership Quarterly, 29(1), 58–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2017.12.008
Delegative Leadership
Delegative leaders often leave the details to the team, taking their hands off of the day-to-day minutia and other burdens. Followers can make decisions that would typically belong to the manager. As you review these resources, think about situations that would benefit from this style of leadership, as well as what sort of challenges this type of leadership style could present. Are there certain industries or professions in which this type of leadership style would be more appropriate than others?
· Organizational Communication Channel. (2020, February 10). Laissez-faire leadership style Links to an external site. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-5q7GbYMPc
· Wong, S. I., & Giessner, S. R. (2018). The thin line between empowering and laissez-faire leadership: An expectancy-match perspectiveLinks to an external site. . Journal of Management, 44(2), 757–783. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206315574597
· Yang, I. (2015). Positive effects of laissez-faire leadership: Conceptual explorationLinks to an external site. . Journal of Management Development, 34(10), 1246–1261. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMD-02-2015-0016
Important Resources and Documents
· MacMillan, K., & Woodwark, M. (2012). House, hearth and home: Managing leadership change . Ivey Publishing. http://hbr.org
· Document: How to Analyze a Business Case Study (PDF) Download How to Analyze a Business Case Study (PDF)
· Document: Week 2 Assignment Template (Word document)