Analysing the leadership style of richard branson

Analysing the leadership style of richard branson Just by observing the distance which Richard Branson has gone in the business world it is not difficult to decide him as an exceptional business leader. Here the attempt is to analyze his form of leadership using the major theories leadership. Words usually connected to Branson are creative, fun, anti-establishment, fast, opportunist, adventurer, the risk of Taker, warm, friendly, competitive, workaholic and hard negotiator. Those qualities are according to the trait theories of leadership, main characeristics of a successful leader. Richard Branson has a good leader-member relations and treats his employees respect, like his own family, even to the extent of giving invitations to his junior members for home for parties (Dearlove 2007). He always welcome the feedback and new ideas of the employees. The task structure of the Virgin is usually low since Branson gives his employees the freedom and initiative has to be creative. There are no established procedures, in which, things must be done (Nice, 2007). His organization is working on flat and non-hierachical stucture (NCE 2009), which is made of clusters, and given the flexibility to work independently without much interference (Dearlove 2007).These factors clearly show that his form of leadership is of much more democratic and participative nature. Position power he proves to be dominant thinker, and generally makes decision by himself (even NCE2009). When observing the contingency theory of Fiedler, it is clear that he belongs to intermediate type of leader wh o is task motivated and socio-independent (Durbin Dalglish Miller, 2006). Branson has strong contingency and situational leadership skills too. He has always looked for and uses every opportunity to create a new company to be viable. He is quite capable of controlling situations and also a high risk taker (Dearlove 2007). This reflcts the most dominat theory of leadership today i.e. situational theories. He follows different leadership styles and technics according to the situation and the context.This has been one of the most important features of Richard Bransons leadership (Durbin Dalglish Miller, 2006). He also shows the ability to implement changes quickly. Virgin Cola in the United States changed its strategy, management and location of its t-drinks business with emphasis on the theme New Age beverages like fruit juices and energy drinks, when he saw no prospect in the war against the Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola in the Cola Business (Dearlove 2007). The charismatic and transformational leadership Transformational leaders are also those that can adapt quickly to change (Bass, 1985). Branson has clearly demonstrated its flexibility and its success in adapting to changing organizational cultures, as he bought new companies and moved into new areas,along with his men. Literature clearly shows that the assessment of transformational leadership is positively correlated with the evaluation of managerial performance (Hater Bass, 1988), Recommendations for promotion (Waldman, Bass and Yammarino, 1990) and the percentage of the goals of the strategic busines units. (unit Avolio, 1999). According to Bass (1985) transformational leadership is more more likely to reflect sociall values and arise in times of distress and change , while transactional leadership is probably found in well-ordered, steady environment. Virgin is an organization that is focused on growth and constant change, thus suitable for transformational style. Virgin is a kingdom, where the individuals Branson stamped in everywhere of the Business , therefore,his values and goals are the driving force of the whole coporation. An overview of tranformational and charismatic leaderhip theories suggests that the leaders may achieve relevent goals by making of followers, who personally identify with this style, also the work-group they are with (Yukl, 1988). Thus transformational approach, in my opinion the best summarzes the style of this renowned business leader. Conclusion With charisma, intellectual stimulation and inspirational motivation and individualized consideration, transformational leaders have a great potential to promote actions beyond expectations and produce changes within individuals and organizations. It seems that this form of a leadership well-suited for a time like this in which has characterictics like uncertainity, global turmoil and institutional instability. Refernce Brooks, I. (2009) Organisational Behaviour, Pearson Education Limited, UK. Bass, B.M. (1985) Leadership and performance beyond expectation, p43, New York, Free Press. Dearlove, D. (2007) Business the Richard Branson Way, p163, Capstone, Chichester, UK. Durbin, A. Dalglish, C Miller, P (2006) Leadership, ( 2nd), p312, Asia-Pasific edition, John Wiley Sons, Australia. Journals Avolio, B.J, (1999) RE-examining the components of transformational and transactional leadership using the multifactor component questionnaire, journal of occupational and organisational psychology, p72, 441-462. Waldman, D.A., Bass, B.M., Yammarino, F.J. (1990) Adding to contingent-reward behaviour: The augmenting effect of charismatic leadership. Group and Organisational Studies, p15, 381-394. Yukl, G.A. (1988) Managerial Leadership. A review of theory and research. Journal of Management, p15, 251-289. Internet Sources BBC.co.uk (1999) Knighthood for Branson, bbc.co.uk, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/583940.stm. NCE (Small Firms Association National Centre of Excellence) (2009), Leadershi,http://www.centreofexcellence.ie/sectors/SFA/SFANCEDocLib.nsf/441763b04b0320b68025722e003fb55a/bc12f53469df45728025722e003f060f/$FILE/Leadership.pdf

Rousseau and Wollstonecraft

â€Å"The neglected education of my fellow-creatures is the grand source of the misery I deplore. â€Å"-Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Women. Rousseau and Wollstonecraft believed that children should be allowed to grow freely and learn to use their education practically. Children would then grow up to be free thinking adults that would keep soceity from becoming materialistic and oppressing. Nonetheless, they vehemently disagreed on who should receive such an education. Rousseau thought that only males, because they are stronger should receive such and education. Wollstonecraft believed everyone, no matter what sex, should be able to be educated to reform and better society as a whole. Though both their works were considered extreme, they are both apparent in the public education system of today. Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) and Rousseau (1712-1778) both agreed that society oppressed human kind, but Wollstonecraft felt that men were oppressing women. They both believed that education should mean letting children grow freely and placing little restrictions. They should protect them from immediate dangers and provide food and shelter. They should not, however, force books and controlled learning upon the children. He thought that children should also develop common sense and each child would choose whatever interests him to study in greater detail. He thought that this method of education would produce a well balanced, free thinking child. Therefore this would lead to a natural society rather than a materialistic one. Rousseau†s theory of natural education was not intended for all children. He felt that girls should be limited motherhood, and how to be a wife. To Rousseau, women exist in order to serve man, because they are weaker. Wollstonecraft stated that women should be taught medicine in order to take care of parents, infants, and husbands properly. She endorsed equal education for all children no matter what the sex. They should not only be taught the same things, but should be taught together, to learn social interaction they would encounter as adults. Girls and boys would attend day school together and then boys would be sent to their apprenticeships and girls would learn how to sew and other skills. Wollstonecraft tried to prove that by denying a woman†s education you are denying her the ability to raise children adequately. Therefore it would benefit both sexes if women were properly educated. Rousseau was applauded for advocating human rights and natural education but when it concerned women he broke no new ground. He actually promoted women†s role as a wife and mother present to serve her husband. He stated that because women were weaker physically that their minds were as well. Wollstonecraft upheld his philosophy of natural education to encourage individual freedom to benefit society. However, she detested his treatment of women. She advised that women and men should both be educated, and educated together. Both of Emile and The Vindication of the Right†s of Women were considered radical, they were both revolutionaries. Emile impacted practical applications, and the exploration of natural curiosity in education. Wollstonecraft†s radical idea of educating boys and girls equally, and together are applied on public education today.

Investigative Technology Review and Critique Essay

Dr. Derek Paulsen examines geographic profiling methods and technologies. The findings are the result of a research grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The purpose of this research is to analyze the accuracy of and suggest methods for increasing the effectiveness of geographic profiling technologies. The research emphasizes the importance of making the distinction between commuter or marauder offenders prior to geographic profiling. Dr. Paulsen demonstrates that by improving the commuter/marauder prediction early in the process and by conducting more targeted research in the field, geographic profiling technology can be more effective and results can be more accurate. Geographic profiling has been used in crime analysis since the early 1990s. It is an investigative methodology that relies on location of connected crimes series as a means of determining the next probable location known as an offender anchor point. According to Dr. Paulsen, 20 to 60 percent of crime series are committed by commuters, and geographic profiling is highly inaccurate in predicting these series. Therefore, it is important to analyze variables and methods used to classify commuters and marauders prior to geographic profiling. This study analyzed 106 crime series gathered from 25 U. S. jurisdictions. This study differed from traditional methods in the use of variables applied to classify offenders as commuter or marauder. Traditional models use residence as primary variable to determine classification. Paulsen modified this method to look at any of 14 known variables which might classify as marauders where traditional models may classify as commuters and performing logistic regression with SPSS software. Since profiling is inaccurate in predicting commuter series, Paulsen’s results improved the accuracy of prediction rate from 60% to 81% by changing the classification process. The findings are significant in that they are at odds with traditional theories of offender patterns and characteristics. Traditional theories state that marauders commit offenses closer to home. However, Paulsen’s research shows that commuters operate in smaller geographic areas with more locations while marauders operate in larger more dispersed areas. Three important implications arise from this study. Further research is needed to develop a method for determining commuter/marauder classification that can be used in multiple geographic profiling systems. Research is needed to determine if methods and results are accurate in various jurisdictions with differing demographics and crime characteristics. Alternative profiling and forecasting methods must be weighed against this and other existing research. Previous studies were limited in number, only two, and in scope, focusing on software platform features and case studies and covering limited jurisdictions. This study more extensive in size and scope. The primary limitation of this study is that the entire sample consists of previously solved crimes. This underscores the need to conduct similar research on unsolved crimes to determine the accuracy of this model when all variables are not known. Additionally the case selection process for this study is limited by the police departments’ rationale for selecting cases to send for the study which is not addressed. Geographic profiling is a widely used crime analysis methodology which can and should be more effective. By analyzing existing results and modifying components of the profiling process crime prediction rates can be significantly improved. Improving results of geographic profiling will depend on continued research of adequate size and scope that focuses on alternative classification methods, a range of geographic locations, and solved and unsolved crimes. Reference Paulsen, D. (2007, September). Improving Geographic Profiling through Commuter/Marauder Prediction. Police Practice & Research, 8(4), 347-357. Retrieved March 11, 2009, from Academic Search Premier database.

One Fat Summer - Analysis Of Important Theme Essay

One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte, is a very good book for teenagers that feel insecure about themselves and have low self-esteem. In the book they will read about a young boy name, Bobby who overcomes his fears of being fat and being bullied by Willie, one that is much stronger then him physically, but not emotionally. The basic theme of this story is to stand up for yourself no matter the situation. Willie, the antagonist of the story accidentally makes Bobby overcome his fears and stand up to him. In a way Willie could be a protagonist because he helps Bobby overcome his fears. Willie is a crazy person that doesnt know what he is doing. It all started in the summer when Bobby, an overweight fifteen year old is embarrassed to take†¦show more content†¦He conquers that fear pretty easily, but another fear awaits him. He finds himself inside of a box because he wants to do the job because he feels more confident, but Willie, the man that didnt get the job as Dr. Kahns lawn mower is mad at Bobby for stealing the job. He is always making fun of Bobby, but one day he didnt ignore it, he went up to Willie and told him to stop. Willie did stop, but one night when Bobby was walking back home from the lake, Willie rams out of his car and threatens to kill Bobby. No one knows what is going to happen, but Bobby does. He knows what he is going to do. He tells Willie to take a hike and he does. He doesnt get bothered for a week or so because Willie was on vacation. Willie was finally back and holds him hostage at the lake. Bobby was really scared that he was going to get shot by Willies shotgun. Out of no where the lake lifeguard comes out and pushes Willie into the lake and then Bobby jumps in to fight. 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