Case study
ESSAY TASK
Using Darling and Leffel’s (2010) framework, this essay will discuss what are the factors that made Rosalia Mera a successful business entrepreneur. Also, it will evaluate according to Darling and Leffel (2010) leadership styles, how Mera is classified as a Creator and a Connector leader. She is an effective leader because of her effective performance as the co-founder of Inditex that is parent of Zara chain of stores, and owner of the 7% of the company (Madrid, 2011).
There are several different definitions of leadership. Zaccaro (2007) argues that leadership styles can be predicted by some traits and attributes that are combined in a certain way. This means that leadership only relies on leaders, and not on the followers. On the other hand, Northouse (2012) defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (p.6). Thus, leadership as an influence process is an event that occurs interactively between the leader and the followers, and leaders try to persuade individuals to achieve common objectives (Northouse, 2010).
Darling and Leffel (2010) point out that it is also important to identify the differences between the concepts of management and leadership. “To manage means to bring out, to accomplish, to have responsibility for, and to conduct. To lead means to influence, to guide in direction, course, action, or opinion” (Darling & Leffel, 2010, p. 356). These two concepts are clearly distinguished, however, their differences do not detract from the importance of each one in the business world (Darling & Leffel, 2010).
Darling and Leffel propose four leadership styles, which are: Analyzer, Connector, Director, and Creator. These styles are defined according to the level of assertiveness and responsiveness that the leader has. This can be seen on more detail in the figure below:
Figure 1. Interactive Dimensions and Strengths of Leadership Styles (Darling & Leffel, 2010, p.
Using Darling and Leffel’s (2010) framework, this essay will discuss what are the factors that made Rosalia Mera a successful business entrepreneur. Also, it will evaluate according to Darling and Leffel (2010) leadership styles, how Mera is classified as a Creator and a Connector leader. She is an effective leader because of her effective performance as the co-founder of Inditex that is parent of Zara chain of stores, and owner of the 7% of the company (Madrid, 2011).
There are several different definitions of leadership. Zaccaro (2007) argues that leadership styles can be predicted by some traits and attributes that are combined in a certain way. This means that leadership only relies on leaders, and not on the followers. On the other hand, Northouse (2012) defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (p.6). Thus, leadership as an influence process is an event that occurs interactively between the leader and the followers, and leaders try to persuade individuals to achieve common objectives (Northouse, 2010).
Darling and Leffel (2010) point out that it is also important to identify the differences between the concepts of management and leadership. “To manage means to bring out, to accomplish, to have responsibility for, and to conduct. To lead means to influence, to guide in direction, course, action, or opinion” (Darling & Leffel, 2010, p. 356). These two concepts are clearly distinguished, however, their differences do not detract from the importance of each one in the business world (Darling & Leffel, 2010).
Darling and Leffel propose four leadership styles, which are: Analyzer, Connector, Director, and Creator. These styles are defined according to the level of assertiveness and responsiveness that the leader has. This can be seen on more detail in the figure below:
Figure 1. Interactive Dimensions and Strengths of Leadership Styles (Darling & Leffel, 2010, p.