Essay on Leadership Approaches And Organizational Life Cycle

Question: Discuss about the Essay on Leadership Approaches And Organizational Life Cycle. Answer: Introduction Leadership in management of organizations is important in inspiring and motivating employees towards intended objectives(Felix, 2013). Leadership approach can take several approaches in an organizational context. It may be influenced by certain characteristics which include; size, type of leaders, policies, and organization life cycle. The stages that an organization passes through during its growth are known as the life cycle. The five life cycle stages include growth through creativity, direction, delegation, co-operation, and collaborations(Grindle, 2014). When organizations passes through this life cycle stages they are faced certain specific crisis which needs different leadership approaches to solve them. The essay will only analyze four approaches (hero, strategists, artisans, and meddlers) in reference to the organizational life cycle stages to be able to establish the best suitable approach at each stage. Organizational stages and leadership approaches Stage one of the organizational life cycle is growth through creativity. It is initiation stage or commencement period is important in creation of new and innovative products. The stage is characterized with an organization that focuses on results. Goals and objectives are set to be achieved by the entire team(Graham, 2013). If there is no commitment and direction it results to leadership crisis. Where the organization team members may differ with their leaders on certain aspects or work, they lack autonomy to do certain tasks and functions. The best leadership approach to be used to solve the crisis is that of artisan leader. It is a leadership approach that a leader does not let go routine management tasks and stands alone. The artisan is also a type of leader who needs to be innovative and creative in various activities. At this stage an artisan leader focuses on practical results to provide direction, and is ready to shoulder any risks provided they have to achieve intended resul ts. Employees may not like the artisan leader because the leader focuses on factual knowledge and art to be able to solve problems that are emerging. The second stage in organization is growth through direction. The stage is characterized with team formations, organizational exposure and everyone is ready and motivated to work towards organizational goals. The employees may wish to work but they lack autonomy to work on their own creating a crisis(Huber, 2014). The best leadership approach to use at this stage is that of a meddler. A meddler is a leader who cannot let go routine management tasks, and developed a working team. The team that the leader as created is useful in ensuring the intended objective is achieved. The approach is suitable at this stage because the leader has a sense of urgency, focus, creates opportunities to shape behaviors, and provides opportunities for course corrections. The crisis will result during this stage because the employees may feel demotivated and also feel they do not own their own work(Hurwitz, M., Hurwitz, S, 2013). The third stage involves growth through delegation. In ensuring tasks and activities are achieved delegation is important in training, involvement and running of organizations. During this types of leadership delegation and authority to perform certain tasks is given to workers. Delegation results to lack of controls in management of employees; this is because when delegation takes place employees are given autonomy to perform tasks(Rickards, 2013). The appropriate leadership approach at this stage would be a combination meddler and heroism that will be able to check what is going on among the employees and provide leadership qualities. The crisis will managed by providing leadership and heading various management functions. A leader who is a meddler ensures that standards and targets are followed and met respectively. The leader should have a means of checking the employees and ensuring that they are fully following procedures. Heroism provides a better standards and procedures that others will follow and take charge. Other employees will look and expect more from the heroic leader as their role model. The fourth stage of the organization life cycle involves growth through co-ordination. Co-ordination is useful in ensuring systems flow and fewer conflicts are created. During the stage the organization has grown to have several functions which have been divided into departments and sections(Grindle, 2014). Because each section may be performing different functions and are interdependent, red tapes may originate. Procedures and formal structures may be created to ensure co-ordination which may turn out be a crisis for the organization. The best leadership approaches to use during this stage is a combination of heroism and meddling. The leader will be expected to take a leading role in routine work to bring control, and show understanding of management policies in order to ensure that bureaucratic procedures are followed(Grindle, 2014). The last stage of the organizational life cycle involves growth through collaboration. It is the last stage characterized by team members working in Unisom to achieve stated objectives(Grindle, 2014). Collaboration is important for organizations that have expanded and grown in size. Several challenges may occur at that stage both internal and external, when challenges are not solved they can create crisis within the organization. This stage will require a strategist who will be able to provide the employees with relevant tools for their work. The strategist needs to come up with the best formulated plan that can be implemented and followed to ensure targets are met. The strategist leader will focus on planning for future, and ensuring new goals are derived. At this stage the leader will be focusing on building organizational resources, capabilities, and competitiveness to be able to gain sustainable advantage(Felix, 2013). Conclusion For organizations to thrive well it is important for leaders to be able to identify the best leadership approach by understanding the organization characteristics, life cycle, and existing environment. Leadership approach can be suitable with different factors actors and environmental factors. The best approach will be relevant to current and future needs of the organization. The essay was able to analyze and recommend leadership approaches to organizational life cycle stages. References Felix, D. (2013). 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