Meg Whitman's Leadership Style and Values at HP

What makes this paper effective

• It grounds each leadership claim in a specific, cited theoretical definition — for example, invoking Lussier's definition of charismatic leadership before applying it to Whitman — which keeps the analysis academically anchored rather than anecdotal.
• The paper consistently moves from general principle to concrete example (e.g., the eBay weapons ban, the HP PC-Printer merger), making abstract leadership concepts tangible and credible.
• It maintains a balanced critical perspective by acknowledging Whitman's weaknesses — hot temper, demanding style — alongside her strengths, demonstrating intellectual honesty rather than simple praise.

Key academic technique demonstrated

The paper demonstrates applied theoretical analysis: it introduces an established framework (charismatic leadership, personal vs. organizational values), cites a scholarly definition, and then systematically tests whether a real-world subject fits that framework using documented evidence. This technique is especially visible in the values section, where Fox's definition of personal values is introduced and then mapped directly onto Whitman's observable behaviors.

Structure breakdown

The paper opens with a brief biographical and contextual introduction to Whitman and HP. It then proceeds through four analytical sections — leadership style, personal and organizational values, the ethical implications of those values, and strengths/weaknesses — before closing with a broader organizational-behavior discussion on group dynamics. Each section is self-contained yet builds on the previous one, moving from individual traits to organizational and group-level effects. References follow APA format throughout.