What kind of a leader are You?

A 7 Minute Read Work Article by Adrian Goh

Profile of Adrian Goh, Baptized name: Barnabas
– A family man and a Christian who volunteers overseas (Indonesia, Myanmar and other countries)
– Highly experienced in physical security, workplace safety, facilities management and human resource management. He is also workplace safety and fire safety certified
– He is equally comfortable in handling major operations and administrative work

His other articles, for sharing, can also be found here:

• https://brand.education/exploring-the-lessons-and-themes-of-the-book-of-jeremiah/
• https://brand.education/understanding-the-concept-of-grace-in-the-bible/
• https://brand.education/how-does-micro-expressions-and-neuro-linguistic-programming-help-in-detecting-if-a-person-is-lying/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/adrian-goh-guan-kiong-on-the-basic-insights-into-the-fire-safety-management-system/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/what-does-psalms-23-means-to-me-a-5-minute-read-christian-article-by-adrian-goh-guan-kiong/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/an-intermediate-guide-to-reading-the-bible-with-adrian-goh-guan-kiong/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/a-beginners-guide-to-reading-the-bible-with-adrian-goh-guan-kiong/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/adrian-goh-guan-kiong-on-volunteering/
• https://www.aboutinsider.com/4-reminders-that-no-god-is-not-mad-at-you/

In the modern context, leadership and management have evolved to encompass a wide range of approaches, each suited to different organizational cultures, industries, and challenges.

Here’s a deep dive into some of the different ways of leadership and management in the modern context:

Transactional Leadership:

Definition: Transactional leadership focuses on the exchange of rewards and punishments to motivate followers. It emphasizes clear expectations, task-oriented leadership, and performance-based rewards.

Example: Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric (GE), is often cited as an example of a transactional leader who implemented performance-based incentives and strict performance evaluations to drive results within the organization.

References:

Bass, B. M. (1990). From Transactional to Transformational Leadership: Learning to Share the Vision. Organizational Dynamics, 18(3)

Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., Moorman, R. H., & Fetter, R. (1990). Transformational Leader Behaviors and Their Effects on Followers’ Trust in Leader, Satisfaction, and Organizational Citizenship Behaviors. Leadership Quarterly, 1(2)

Transformational Leadership:

Definition: Transformational leadership inspires and motivates followers to achieve higher levels of performance by appealing to their values, emotions, and ideals. It emphasizes vision-setting, empowerment, and individualized consideration.

Example: Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is often cited as a transformational leader who inspires innovation, challenges the status quo, and fosters a culture of bold experimentation and visionary thinking.

References:

Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (1988). Transformational Leadership, Charisma, and Beyond. In J. G. Hunt, B. R. Baliga, H. P. Dachler, & C. A. Schriesheim (Eds.), Emerging Leadership Vistas (pp. 29-49). New York, NY: Pergamon Press.

Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership (2nd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Servant Leadership:

Definition: Servant leadership prioritizes the needs of others above self-interest, emphasizing humility, empathy, and stewardship. It focuses on serving the needs of followers and enabling their growth and development.

Example: Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, is often cited as a servant leader who demonstrated humility, empathy, and a commitment to empowering employees throughout her leadership tenure.

References:

Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. New York, NY: Paulist Press.

Spears, L. C. (Ed.). (1998). Insights on Leadership: Service, Stewardship, Spirit, and Servant-Leadership. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Authentic Leadership:

Definition: Authentic leadership emphasizes self-awareness, transparency, and integrity, with leaders acting in alignment with their core values and beliefs. It focuses on building trust and credibility through genuine interactions.

Example: Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and philanthropist, is often cited as an authentic leader who openly shares her personal experiences, values, and vulnerabilities, connecting authentically with her audience and employees.

References:

Avolio, B. J., Gardner, W. L., Walumbwa, F. O., Luthans, F., & May, D. R. (2004). Unlocking the Mask: A Look at the Process by Which Authentic Leaders Impact Follower Attitudes and Behaviors. Leadership Quarterly, 15(6), 801-823. doi:10.1016/j.leaqua.2004.09.003

George, B. (2003). Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Democratic Leadership:

Definition: Democratic leadership involves shared decision-making and collaboration among leaders and followers. It values input from all members of the team and promotes a sense of ownership and empowerment.

Example: Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet Inc. (Google), is often cited as a democratic leader who fosters a culture of openness, transparency, and inclusivity, encouraging employees to contribute ideas and participate in decision-making processes.

References:

Yukl, G. (2010). Leadership in Organizations (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Lewin, K., Lippitt, R., & White, R. K. (1939). Patterns of Aggressive Behavior in Experimentally Created Social Climates. Journal of Social Psychology, 10(2)

Situational Leadership:

Definition: Situational leadership adapts leadership style to match the developmental level and readiness of followers. It involves assessing the situation and adjusting leadership behaviors accordingly.

Example: Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, is often cited as a situational leader who adjusts her leadership style based on the context and needs of the organization, whether it’s driving innovation, navigating crises, or fostering cultural change.

References:

Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1969). Life Cycle Theory of Leadership. Training and Development Journal, 23(5), 26-34.

Blanchard, K. H., Zigarmi, P., & Zigarmi, D. (1985). Leadership and the One Minute Manager: Increasing Effectiveness Through Situational Leadership. New York, NY: William Morrow.

Coaching Leadership:

Definition: Coaching leadership involves supporting and developing employees through mentorship, feedback, and skill-building. It focuses on unlocking potential, fostering growth, and maximizing individual and team performance.

Example: Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, is often cited as a coaching leader who provides guidance, mentorship, and feedback to empower employees, encourage innovation, and drive organizational success.

References:

Goldsmith, M., Lyons, L., & Freas, A. (2000). Coaching for Leadership: How the World’s Greatest Coaches Help Leaders Learn. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Clutterbuck, D. (2004). Everyone Needs a Mentor: Fostering Talent in Your Organisation (3rd ed.). London, UK: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

In the modern context, effective leadership and management require a nuanced understanding of the organization’s culture, goals, and challenges. Leaders should be adaptable, empathetic, and strategic in their approach, leveraging a range of leadership styles and techniques to inspire and empower their teams to achieve success.