How can leaders lead when they don't know what to expect Essay

How can leaders lead when they don't know what to expect - Essay Example Similarly setting a firm goal for the organization is one of the few essentials that must be adhered in practicing successful leadership. It is in this context that leaders, to be effective in implementing successful strategies, must obtain a succinct understanding of what to expect from their followers and benefactors of their leadership practices (Kerr & Jermier, 1978). Focusing on this argumentive statement, the aim of the essay is to evaluate the significance leader’s ability to make accurate expectations when defining goals and implementing strategies likewise. In order to accomplish this particular aim, the essay emphasizes conducting a literature review to gain an in-depth knowledge about the factors that determine leadership success in the 21st century context, followed by a case example analysis in respect to the Affordable Care Act policy enforced by the US President Mr. Barack Obama. Based on the information obtained through these sections, a critical discussion has been conducted in this essay to derive a brief conclusion directly implying on the argument statement; i.e. â€Å"How can leaders lead when they don’t know what to expect?† The Concept and Role of Leadership in the 21st Century According to Kaiser & Hogan (2005), although leadership has remained a topic of interest for many years, and many researchers have contributed in the study of leadership, it still lacks a firm definition that can replicate its multidimensional features in an all-inclusive manner. According to Judge & et. al., (2002), it is because of the fact that leadership practices depend on situational contexts, where the qualities of the followers and the availability of resources play a vital role in determining overall leadership effectiveness also involving value-based philosophical attributes as major influences, defining the concept in a scientific way as similar to other societal concepts, becomes a major challenge. Nevertheless, almost all the expla nations derived in the current phenomenon focus on one common feature of successful leadership that the effectiveness of these practices depend on the leader’s ability to understand or decode the change needs and define their expectations accordingly (Judge & et. al., 2002). It is in this context that Fry (2003) argued leaders to be attending both the task oriented and social or emotional issues through the directive and supportive behaviors, which further raises complexities in understanding the ability of the resources available and decide upon their expectations thereon. According to the House (1996), the contingency theory emphasizes that an effective leadership approach must have a link between the leader’s behavior and the situational conditions that further determines their accuracy of expectations. Expanding the contingency theory, House (1996) further argued that the path-goal theory of leadership joins the participative and achievement oriented leader’ s behaviors with their directive and supportive behavioral needs to focus on the association amid performance-reward and explain the follower about the importance of such associations in order to perform

Automobile industry in Japan (Toyota) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Automobile industry in Japan (Toyota) - Essay Example It has also been noticed in by Global Vice Chair Industry, Ernst and Young, Steve Almassy, "The world has changed in the last year and so have traditional business models. Some have disappeared outright but others will have to adapt to the new rules of the game. Thriving in this challenging business climate requires flexibility, creativity and imagination". The increasingly globalising world has a clear impact on the overall performance of the company. It is also essential to note even as a conclusion, that Toyota has a major competitive advantage over the other companies and this is mainly the JIT Strategy. Just – In – Time (JIT) is a recent strategy of inventory management to reduce the carrying costs and the in progress inventory, and also increase the return on investments. This method has been developed to help companies use its investments carefully and appropriately. This strategy adopted by the company has led the company to be strong and not only face the inten se competition that is presented with the globalisation but also to be able to face any changes that are present in the market including the current recessionary period. Toyota has a high growth possibility and is one of the only companies that will be able to stabilise back to the neutral position or even exceed their previous performance as well, ‘The Toyota Way’ (Liker, 2004). It is safe to say that Toyota has over the years built a company and brand which has not only been successful, but has also been built strong to be able to face all competition globally and also to be able to face any changes in the environment like recession or inflation. The company on its own strategies has in simple ways covered the success for itself for several years to come.