Branson Describe Branson's Leadership Style in Terms

Branson Describe Branson's leadership style in terms of the leadership models addressed in Chapters 10 and 11 and evaluate the likely effectiveness of that style in the U.S. today. Sir Branson's leadership style is the combination of authentic and transformational. He believes in hiring staff that have the skills to perform effectively. The authentic leadership style leads the way to his skill to work with the understanding that people make mistakes and they can be corrected while the work continues.

As a transformational leader he demonstrates the capability needed to foresee company development, inspire and empower staff. With these attributes it requires him to have balance as a leader in the day-to-day working environment while creating a productive work environment and focusing on company goals. According to Chapter 1, "Leadership is the process of developing ideas and a vision, living by values that support those ideas and that vision, influencing others to embrace them in their own behaviors and making hard decisions about human and other resources." (Hellriegel & Slocum, 2011, pg. 290).

Even though the company has taken losses from different endeavors the CEO continues to envision new ways to transform the business to newer heights. Because of his compassion for his workers, the concept to work harder and smarter helps the business to maintain its number of staff in place. One advice he prides himself on is "Executives and managers overseeing any restructuring or merger should find ways to inspire all employees to think like entrepreneurs.

A person's own conscience is the hardest taskmaster of all, so the more responsibility you give people, the better they will perform. (Entrepreneur, 2012, Pg. 1)" Transformational leaders are visionary, inspiring, daring, ethical and thoughtful thinkers. According to Branson, there are five secrets to business success: 1) Enjoy what you are doing, 2) Create something that stands out, 3) Create something that everyone who works for you is really proud of, 4) Be a good leader and 5) Be visible (Branson, 2012, Pg. 1).

Leadership is the process of developing ideas and a vision, living by values that support those ideas and that vision, influencing others to embrace them in their own behavior and making hard decisions about humans and other resources (Hellriegel and Slocum, 2011, Pg. 25). 2. Recommend a different leadership style (or combination of styles) that would make Branson an even more effective leader. The transactional leadership style would assist Branson in become a more powerful leader in the industry. With this style, management adapts the concept of reward and punishment.

This does not have to be utilized to the extreme, in that punishment can create a low morale in the workplace. Employees are normally motivated by open communications, rewards or a strong compensation package. Therefore, this type of concept would be added to the other management skills currently demonstrated by Sir Branson. As stated in an article by Glen Turner, President of LDG Consulting, Inc.

"Transformational and transactional leadership are direct opposites -- while the transformational leader relies upon internal motivations to achieve goals and objectives, the transactional leader motivates with rewards and punishments. (Task, 2012, Pg. 1)" It is Branson's practice as Chairman of Virgin Group to recruit good people with outstanding skills while being diverse in his recruitment processes to ensure that the business will remain competitive in the market. As a transaction leader rewards and compensation are the driving factors that most applicants look for when applying for a new position.

Additionally, rewards are a positive way to increase motivation, employee morale and to maintain staff retention. 3. Determine how Branson would develop and lead a global team working on a major project (e.g., space tourism). This leader is known as a risk taker and someone who is always looking for new projects as attempts to elevate his business to new levels. With the input and help of a strong management staff, Virgin Group is comprised of retail, air travel, financial, music, books and telecommunications.

Branson is at the helm of a multi-million dollar global business, so his leadership style has proven to be.