Leadership Models in Action

IntroductionLeaders atomic number 18 born while a nonher(prenominal)s are make probably sounds clich but peer little undisputable fact is that leadinghip is fine to steering a business or organization to success. As seafarer Welch quotes Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, turbulently own and relentlessly drive it to completion. (www.thinkexist.com.) Notably, in that respect are many another(prenominal) leaders who arouse existed in past century but arguably very(prenominal) few great leaders exist. Addition on the wholey, the opposite great leaders go for different leadership approaches as well as possess different leadership traits. N singletheless, there are various aspects that cut across the many leadership models and traits, for instance, commitment, drive, passion, empowerment, decisiveness and resilience. (Bennis, 2002). In order to clearly demonstrate leadership in business this paper will focus on AT & T Network manager doubting Tho mas Reeds who is arguable a use of goods and services model in the leadership circles. His leadership approach is both influenced and invigorate and later in the paper a few examples will be used to demonstrate why is make this claim.Jack Welch commands attention in embodied leadership circles as his visionary leadership revived the corporations in the US during 1980 and to date his philosophies continue to transform during ordinary companies to legendary companies Thomas Reeds. Follows in the footsteps of this great CEO and his leadership approach is always transformational. His ability to jolly up and energize followers to a certain direction in achieving the beau mondes goals is brilliant.Some, how he aligns corporate strategies to periodical operations of employees and clarifies issues to the employees that they get a greater picture of what is expected. In this way, he excites and ingrains commitment of employees to future goals. more than to that, his emphasis on transa ctional aspects of leaders i.e. more of the bread and butter is too manifests in his leadership approach. This is seen in the way he encourages a demo and take win win situation in leadership. Employees are regarded for shock targets and compliance to aligned expectations. His two years in that post has generated AT&T a neat amount of profits which is deemed to continue. Thomas may sound like a larger than flavour person and realistic act as such(prenominal). However, his ability to combine humility and deep fiery will fro success is almost paradoxical. Hes is truly a level 5 leader.By level 5 leaders it means a leader who has reached the highest hierarchal level of his leadership capabilities and has been able to lead a friendship from a good to a great company with real(a) sustained passlence (Morris, 2006). Admittedly, the improved status of AT&T company has not been a function of Thomas Reeds leadership approach alone, but rather he has used his influence it check out that other factors necessary to transform AT &T are posit in the company, the right organization culture and strategic resources among others. He has been at the helm of it all. Leadership is not about showing off what one posterior but actually doing if so that others kitty see what ought to be done and how it is done.This is what Thomas Reeds always says. His dressing and happy demeanor can almost make one mistake him for an intern. He mingle with the employees at AT&T to know what their views are and get input on what needs to be improved or changed. This is not to say that Thomas Reeds is one to joke around with. His unpretentious and vicious determination in life likewise makes him a person to deadlock up to be counted. Most times, it is possible to find Thomas sharing his early life experiences with other aspiring leaders under his stewardship of how he grew up in the crocked, struggled through with(predicate) college and university to where he is now. His experiences are always refreshing and empowering and it is not sticky to notice the iron will and passion to nurture talent in his followers. He inspires them to be the best they can be. Adversities will always conform to your way he says but it is up to you make a firm resolve to stay ahead or hang in there rather than quite. Seemingly, tough times cut out leaders to be perfect and strong.Indisputably, Thomas Reeds leadership approach has been influenced by Welchs rules of hitch for instance, the important of erasing bureaucracy in the business ranking the customers and shareholders highly and despotic market share. These teachings applied coupled with unique attributes such as streamlining the manpower set out Thomas leadership styles as the reason bed the companys success.Nevertheless, Thomas feels that change and dynamism in leadership is an indispensable attribute to effective leadership in todays business environment. He is quick to note that although Welch and Sloans philosophies w ere no less than brilliant their applicability is now wearing off. He feels that the challenges that the leadership approaches actual by the two masterminds of leadership success were designed to surmount the barriers and fuss of the then times and new leadership approached need to be positive to effectively face the new challenges in the modern era. Yet he does not discount the fact that Welch techniques are still usable and can contribute immensely in the success of a company.Leadership inspires people or rather captures the minds and souls of people. According to writers Goffee and Jones (2000) leadership is about results yet at the alike(p) time is not only about performance but also meaning. True to this expression, it is impossible to excite people to extraordinary levels without enabling them maiden see the meaning and worth behind the actions. In this case impromptu leadership doubles performance and perhaps this is what makes companies with great leaders excel differe ntly from the ones that further have ok leaders. This they do by do performance meaningful. (Goffee & Jones, 2000).Given this insight a critical look at AT&T Network manger, Thomas Reeds leadership approach, it is evident that he makes his employees or followers find meaning in their endeavors. This is done in such a way that corporate strategies are translated ot actionable plans and particularly daily task of the employees such that the change and improved performance starts from the bottom to the top.After poster meetings with corporate committees, Thomas Reeds goes out his own way ot call for withdraw meetings with different groups of staff to discuss how the corporate strategies affect them and how the staff stand to benefit from implementing the objectives of the company. This has helped AT&T workforce to achieve meaning and in the long run commitment to outstanding performance. While others may think of Thomas dodging as labored and draining, Thomas feels that it is a n ecessary price to afford if a leader is ot see any result of his actions. It is also at this time that a leaders qualities and passion for distinction and probity is tested.Notable, there are leaders and then there are trustworthy leaders. This leads to the quest of finding authentic leadership in AT&T manager Thomas. Authentic leaders are selfless yet are not afraid to express the self, morally guided rationality and nit merely instrumental reasoning whereby the end justifies the means among others. From my countable contacts with Thomas, it is evident that his selfless nature as well as stoic philosophy of detaching one self fro unethical practices and pitfalls. In disguise clarify his authenticity as a leader.Welch exemplifies the principles of leadership quite well, for instance, he was well versed in the employees tasks and his own duties. In addition, he harnessed the need to be on the look out for new opportunities that could lead GE to new senior high school and where th ings went awry he was not shy to take responsibility for his actions other than seeking a scapegoat. According to Welch, the important thing is to analyze the situation, change by reversal it if possible or find lesson/s from it and then proceeds to the conterminous challenge with courage and better knowledge. In leadership position, decisions are make every time and a leader should be capable of making timely and accurate decisions fast if it is to have any impact. This Welch had mastered. Leadership is all about looking out for the well being of the workforce, keeping them informed as well as leading by example. It is evident that Welch exemplified these traits too.ConclusionIt is not uncommon to hear people say that they want to be more effective leaders. Great leaders are made better through practice and years of learning from previous successes and failures. The challenge therefore is for unseasoned aspiring leaders to build in the basics lend by the outstanding leaders suc h as Welch and Sloan and most of all have commitment and passion to charting extemporary leadership which, who knows might be a legend for future generations.ReferencesBennis, W. (2002). Will the legacy live on? The Harvard trade Review, 80(2), 95-100Collingwood, H., & Couto, D.L. (2002). Jack on jack. The Harvard Business Review, 80(2), 88-94Collins, J. (2001). Level 5 leadership the endure of humility and fierce resolve. Harvard Business Review, 79(1), 67-76Goffee, R. & Jones, G. (2000). Why should anyone be led by you? Harvard Business review, 78(5), 62-70.Morris, B. (2006). Tearing up the Jack Welch playbook. Fortune. http//money.cnn.com/2006/07/10/magazines/fortue/rules.fortune/Think exist.com known Quotes. Retrieved on October 24, 2007 from World Wide Web http//www.thinkexist.com/