Howard Schlutz as a Leader
December 2012
Assignment 3
Subject: Choose one leader and by using the concepts and theories from the book, explain the reasons why you think he or she is a good leader ? Leadership is one of the most hotly debated topics in management studies, social psychology and organizational psychology (Pfeffer 1993). Despite the depth and breadth of debate concerning leadership effectiveness, it remains an elusive construct. As a result, researchers and practitioners have not reached a consensus on a true and concise definition that represents an accurate depiction of effective leadership in all situations and possibilities. Bennis and Nanus (1985, p. 259) maintain that “neither in common parlance nor in the literature on the subject, is there consensus about the essence of leadership, or the means by which it can be identified, achieved or measured”. Although no one perspective is entirely accurate, nor entirely irrelevant, the answer to exceptional leadership remains relatively unclear. For example, does the early 21st century environment demand a different kind of leadership from earlier times? Certainly there has been a move away from ‘command and control’ models of leadership towards more flexible, collaborative and nurturing styles (Bennis 1999). The ability to cope with new and challenging imperatives such as increasing global competition demands the use of new leadership skills (Conger 1993). While the technical skills of leaders are not unimportant, there appears to be a case for emphasizing general management expertise, entrepreneurship an ability to look into the future and the acceptance of responsibility (Savery et al. 1996). And this is exactly why Howard Schultz (Starbucks CEO), appears as one of the greatest leader of our times. In this essay, I’ll try to develop the reasons why I think he is a good leader more deeply. For most leaders, the middle of the road is an alluringly comfortable place. It’s safe, welltrodden, and known. Unfortunately, what it
Assignment 3
Subject: Choose one leader and by using the concepts and theories from the book, explain the reasons why you think he or she is a good leader ? Leadership is one of the most hotly debated topics in management studies, social psychology and organizational psychology (Pfeffer 1993). Despite the depth and breadth of debate concerning leadership effectiveness, it remains an elusive construct. As a result, researchers and practitioners have not reached a consensus on a true and concise definition that represents an accurate depiction of effective leadership in all situations and possibilities. Bennis and Nanus (1985, p. 259) maintain that “neither in common parlance nor in the literature on the subject, is there consensus about the essence of leadership, or the means by which it can be identified, achieved or measured”. Although no one perspective is entirely accurate, nor entirely irrelevant, the answer to exceptional leadership remains relatively unclear. For example, does the early 21st century environment demand a different kind of leadership from earlier times? Certainly there has been a move away from ‘command and control’ models of leadership towards more flexible, collaborative and nurturing styles (Bennis 1999). The ability to cope with new and challenging imperatives such as increasing global competition demands the use of new leadership skills (Conger 1993). While the technical skills of leaders are not unimportant, there appears to be a case for emphasizing general management expertise, entrepreneurship an ability to look into the future and the acceptance of responsibility (Savery et al. 1996). And this is exactly why Howard Schultz (Starbucks CEO), appears as one of the greatest leader of our times. In this essay, I’ll try to develop the reasons why I think he is a good leader more deeply. For most leaders, the middle of the road is an alluringly comfortable place. It’s safe, welltrodden, and known. Unfortunately, what it