From time to time, I will post recent work I have done as part of my PhD Program. Here is a recent discussion post that I put together on “The Leadership Challenge”
The most important supervisory challenges in the workplace, according to
the Leadership Challenge, include setting the right example,
envisioning the future, challenging how things are done, and enabling
others to act (Kouzes & Posner, 2007). Thought leaders can’t just
tell people what to do; they need to be the kind of leaders who actually
set the tone of the organization by being the example that they want to
see in others. Balancing that day-to day operation with a keen eye on
the future once was segmented between front-line managers and senior
leaders, but today that role is seen as taking place all throughout
organizations.
Developing a structure in an organization that allows others to
grown and adapt to change is important to any culture. A closed minded
culture at Disney caused near takeover in the early 80’s, and a down
period after a long period of success in the early 2000’s. Each was
characterized by an unwillingness among leadership to change or involve
others in the growth process of the company. Michael Eisner left the
company after a period of success because the board “sought to oust him,
contending his clashes with employees and Disney’s partners were a drag
on the company.” (Holson, 2005, pg 8)
The top-down approach that once was rampant in management no longer
exists in many places. Employees feel more empowered to be part of the
process, and each generation has new needs and wants that the other
generations may not have had before. It is critical for companies today
(more so than in the past) to embrace the passions of their teams and
make each organization lean and efficient to get the most out of
everyone.
References
Holson, L. (2005). A Quiet Departure for Eisner at Disney. NY
Times. Retrieved 3/8/2010 from
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/26/business/media/26eisner.html
Kouzes, J & Posner, B. (2007). The Leadership Challenge (4th
edition). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.