Leadership Theories Of Bill Gates And Oprah Winfrey Management Essay

leading Theories Of efflorescence provide And Oprah Winfrey Man growment EssayThis paper assists to critic totallyy survey the divers(a) leading theories and evaluate the drawship qualities of 2 prominent and prosperous production line attractionship in USA charge Gates (Founder and Chairman of Microsoft Corporation) and Oprah Winfrey (Global Media loss leader). Chapter 2 describes the background of Gates and Oprah. Gates, from his early interests in computer programming, dropping by from Harvard by choice, to how he successfully transformed his softw be company, Microsoft, from a miserable start-up company to one of the worlds largest and or so powerful corporations. On the opposite hand, Oprah, from her uncontrollable childhood experience just now early exposure to public speaking, to how her intentness and self-motivation in doing her best in whatever she does, have brought her to become a global media leader (her own The Oprah Winfrey Show, her own Harpo Pro ductions, her own O, The Oprah Magazine, etc.).Chapter 3 explores the developing of leadinghip theories, from Great Man and characteristics to the current Transformational opening.Gates and Oprah lead qualities be then magnetic inclinationed and comp bed with earlier described leading theories in Chapter 4 and 5.Chapter 6 covers the authors opinions and reasoned analysis about the leadership hyphens of Bill and Oprah before making the final conclusion in Chapter 7.2. Background of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey2.1 Bill GatesWilliam (Bill) Henry Gates was born in Seattle USA, in 1955. His fuck off was a successful attorney and his mother was a t distributivelyer. At age 13, Gates discovered his interest in softw are product and began programming computers on a school computer at the private Lakeside schoolhouse (Microsoft 2010). In 1973, Gates enrolled at Harvard University and dropped out half-way as he necessityed to concentrate on his start-up software moving in an d did not want to miss the opportunity of developing software for private computers. His company Microsoft, the worlds frontmost microcomputer software company, was born in 1975. Gates later wrote, Our sign insight make e precisething else a bit easier. We were at the right calculate at the right period. We got there foremost (Krames 2003, p.157).In 1980, Gates was offered an symmetricalness to provide the operating system (MS-DOS) for IBMs tonic PC. He secured his future by insisting that Microsoft retained the copyright to the system, so that he could also liberty it to other hardware manufacturers. This contractual masterstroke helped propel Microsoft into its position as the countrys largest software company. In 2002, Gates topped the Forbes 400 list of the worlds wealthiest individuals, with a personal fortune of $43 billion (Krames 2003).Gates handed the reins and the title of chief operating officer over to Steve Ballmer in 2000, as Gates became Chairman and acted as headsman computer software Architect of Microsoft Corporation to help in developing next-generation products (Krames, 2003). Since 2006, irradiate Ozzie has assumed Gates previous title as Chief Software Architect as Gates wanted to devote an increasing harmonize of his time to the philanthropic The Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (Microsoft 2010). However, Gates continues to serve as Microsofts Chairman and an advisor on key development projects after(prenominal) July 2008 (Microsoft 2010). Time Magazine named Gates one of the most influential plenty of the 20th century.For the fiscal year ending June 2007, Microsoft had revenues of US$51.12 billion and employs more(prenominal) than than 78,000 muckle in 105 countries and regions (Microsoft 2010). Till now, Microsoft is still one of the worlds largest and most powerful corporations and currently ranked No.36 in Fortune 500 Companies list (CNN Money 2010).2.2 Oprah WinfreyOprah Gail Winfrey was born illegitimate in Mississi ppi USA, in 1954. She lived her early six years with her grandparents and was taught to read at an early age. Oprah began speaking in front of audiences since she was only 4 years old, touring local churches and reciting others sermons by depot (ONeil 2004). From age 6 to 13, she stayed with her mother in Milwaukee but suffered repeated roast and molestation by her relatives. Her mother later sent her to live with her father, Vernon Winfrey, in Nashville. With strict rules and high standards, Vernon helped to turn her life around. He taught her that she always had to chase after excellence in order to succeed. Oprah absorbed that attitude and said, Theres no much(prenominal) thing as failure in my life, I just dont call up in it (ONeil 2004, p.13).Oprahs broadcasting career began at age 17, when she was hired by WVOL radio in Nashville, and both years later signed on with WTVF-TV as a reporter. She also at laddered Tennessee State University, received her live Honours Degre e in Speech Communications and Performing Arts. Oprah travel up quickly and in 1978 discovered her talent for hosting talk shows when she became co-host of WJZ-TVs battalion are talking. In 1986, she began broadcasting nationally, via The Oprah Winfrey Show, which became the highest rated talk show in video history.Shes now the host and owner of The Oprah Winfrey Show, which consistently wins high ratings, and the founder of the Harpo Productions, Inc. which produces her boob tube shows and movies. Her O, The Oprah Magazine, launched by Hearst Publications in 2000, ranked in the top tier of new powder stores for circulation and advertising, becoming the first magazine ever to be both ad Age Launch of the Year and Magazine of the Year (ONeil 2004).In 2003, Oprah became the first African-American woman to join the ranks of billionaires, as published by Forbes magazine for that year (ONeil 2004). From 2004-2009, she was the only woman to have been included in all six of TIMEs 100 Most Influential populate in World lists.Today, Oprahs accomplishments as a global media leader and philanthropist has made her as one of the most respected and admired public figures in the world.3. Theories on lead Critical Literature SurveyLeadership definition and list of leadership theoriesAccording to Richard Daft (2008, p.4), leadership is defined as followsLeadership is an influence relationship among leaders and chase who intend satisfying changes and outcomes that reflect their shared purposes.The evolution of leadership theories started from Great Man and trait theories to the present Transformational leadership. Kippenberger (2002) reflects the time-line of such evolutionPeriodLeadership hypothesisUp to mid-1900s1900-481930s1945-60s1957-70s1967- Present twenty-four hours1970s-Present Day1970s-Present Day1970s-Present Day1978-Present Day1982-Present DayGreat Man TheoryTraits TheoryLewins research into autocratic, republican laissez-faire stylesBehavioural Theory (especially Ohio, Michigan, Texas)Situational Theory hazard Theory magnetized Leadership group LeadershipServant LeadershipTransformational LeadershipIn search of Excellence thousands of management books on leadershipTable 3.1 origin Time-line figure from The Leadership Styles by Tony Kippenberger (2002)Great Man Theoryestablish on the belief that leaders are born with innate leadership qualities and destined to lead. This is no longer true in todays leadership concept.Trait TheoryArose from Great Man theory which assumed that people are born with inherited traits and so by identifying the list of traits of successful leaders, it was believed that people with such traits could subsequently be recruited into leadership position.However, there exists people with these traits but are not leaders or people without some of these traits but are leaders making the results inconsistent and inconclusive. Therefore, researchers started to evolve the next two theories (Behaviorist and Situati onal).Stogdill (1974) identified the following traits and skills as vital to leadersTraitsSkillsAdaptable to lines alert to social environmentAmbitious and achievement-orientedAssertiveCooperativeDecisive authenticDominantEnergeticPersistentSelf-confidentTolerant of stresswill to assume responsibilityClever (intelligent)Conceptually skilledCreative diplomatic and tactfulFluent in speakingKnowledgeable about crowd taskOrganisedPersuasiveSocially skilledTable 3.2 Leadership Traits and Skills (Stogdill, 1974)Behavioural TheoryBehavioural Theory looks at the behaviours of leaders sort of of focusing on their inborn traits or capabilities. It believes that leaders can be made, rather than are born and behaviours can be learned more readily than traits. This opens the floodgates to leadership development and schools of researchers.Tannenbaum and Schmidt (cited by Daft 2008) illustrated that leadership behaviour could exist on a continuum reflecting different amounts of employee partic ipation. Thus one leader can be autocratic (boss-centred), another democratic (employee-centred), and a ternion a mix of the two styles. However, Tannenbaum and Schmidt suggested that the leader might adjust their behaviours to summate the circumstances.John AdairBlake and Moutons Leadership Grid (cited by Daft 2008), as simplify in below table, focuses on production (task) and employee (people) preferences of managers, and combination of concerns between the two extremes. Leaders are rated on a scale of one to baseball club according to two criteria ( line for People on vertical axis and Concern for Results on horizontal axis). The highly recommended and most trenchant style is Team caution as it rated blue (for People) and High (for Task) and escape accomplishment is from move people while leader is committed to both people and task. Today, the consensus is that leaders can achieve a high-high leadership style (Daft 2008).Concern for PeopleHighCountry Club ManagementTeamM anagementMediumMiddle-of-the-road ManagementLowImpoverished ManagementAuthority-Compliance ManagementLowMediumHighConcern for ResultsTable 3.3 The Leadership Grid (simplified)Situational or Contingency TheoryLeadership style adopted is contingent upon situational factors such as the characteristics of the chase, characteristics of the work environment and companions tasks, and the external environment (Daft 2008). Leadership style that is successful in some situations may not be efficient in others. Hence, in order to increase the likelihood of successful leadership outcomes, the leader has to fully discern the characteristics of tasks, followers and organizations and subsequently adopt the most effective leadership style.Fiedlers Contingency Model (Daft 2008) serves to diagnose whether a leader is task-oriented or relationship-oriented and match leader style to the situation in terms of 3 key elements (Leader member relations, Task structure and Position Power) which can be eit her favourable or unfavourable to a leader. Task-oriented leaders tend to do better in very easy or very difficult situations whereas relationship-oriented leaders do best in intermediate favourability.Hersey and Blanchards Situational Theory (Daft 2008) focuses on the readiness level of the followers to determine the effective leader behaviours such as Telling, Selling, Participating and Delegating style.The Path-Goal Theory (Daft 2008) states that leaders are responsible to increase followers motivation by clarifying the behaviours requisite for task accomplishment and rewards. The four types of behaviours the leader can adopt are swanive, directive, achievement-oriented and participative styles and the two important situational contingencies are the personal characteristics of followers and the work environment.The Vroom-Jago Contingency Model (Daft 2008) focuses on varying degrees of participative leadership, and how each level of participation influences tonus and accountabi lity of decisions. The model has three major components leader participation styles (Decide, bring up individually, Consult Group, Facilitate or Delegate), a set of 7 symptomatic questions (High or Low answer) with which to analyse a decision situation, and a serial publication of decision rules. It also takes into account factors such as concern for time versus concern for followers development. Leaders can analyze each situation and answer a series of questions that help determine the appropriate level of followers participation.Charismatic LeadershipCharismatic Leadership is based on leaders personal characteristics as a source of power to emotionally impact people by appealing to both the heart and mind. These leaders bring to pass an atmosphere of change, articulate an idealized vision of the future, inspire and activate followers with an abiding faith.Team LeadershipDaft (2008) believes that team leadership is based on three principles Firstly, team leaders must create a vi vid vision that is challenging and inspiring so that it provides a strong sense of purpose and direction. Secondly, team leaders must be willing to admit their ignorance or mistakes and the third principle is to provide support and coaching to team members.Transactional Transformational TheoryJames MacGregor Burns conceptualized leadership as either transactional or transformational in 1978.Transactional leadership is a transaction or exchange offset between leaders and followers (Daft 2008). Transactional leaders recognizes followers needs and desires and then clarifies how those needs and desires will be satisfied in exchange for meeting specified objectives or performing certain duties. Thus, followers receive rewards for job performance, whereas leaders benefit from the completion of tasks.Transformational leadership is characterized by the ability to bring about significant change in followers and the organization (Daft 2008). Transformational leaders have the ability to lead changes in an organisations vision, strategy, and acculturation as well as promote innovation in products and technologies (Daft 2008). Transformational leaders stimulate and inspire followers to both achieve the outcomes and develop them into leaders. Transformational leadership is based on the personal values, beliefs and qualities of the leader rather than an exchange process between leaders and followers (Daft 2008). Recent studies support the idea that transformational leadership has a positive impact on follower development and follower performance. Avolio, Bass and Jung (Cited by Bass, 2006) have identified the four components of transformational leadership as Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation and Individualised Consideration.3.9 X (Female) Y (Male) of LeadershipLiz Cook and Brian Rothwell (2000) convincingly describe the differences (structural, operational and chemical) in the caput of male and womanly, which attribute to their dif ferent thinking and act even when face up with similar leadership situations. Their interpretation (Cook Rothwell, 2000) is that the natural and genetic gifts that the average female and male brain brings to leadership are as followsFeminine manfulRelationship orientationDialogueListeningCoachingAppreciation of paradoxInterpersonal connectionsSocial awarenessGroup workingMulti-taskingAppreciation of promissory noteAction orientationCompetitivenessVisionInventivenessRisk-takingTarget orientationStatus quo challengeDesire to be the bestFocus twist and formTable 3.4. Average Female and Male genetic gifts frequently of the debate in the 1990s spent time persuading leaders that it was practised to be female and it was men who needed to change their leadership style to feminine-oriented leadership, with the emphasis on building relationship. Nevertheless, Cook Rothwell (2000) believed that leadership training should take the strengths of both approaches as the strengths of both sex es are needed to counteract the weaknesses that each sex brings to the leadership equation.4. coincidence of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey Leadership Qualities4.1 Gates Leadership QualitiesGates possesses the following traits Introvert, Intelligent, Knowledgeable, Aggressive, Charisma, Visionary, etc.Original vision when Microsoft was founded was a computer in every home.Oprah Leadership QualitiesOprah possesses the following traits Extrovert, Intelligent, Self-Confident, Determined, Persistence, Excellent Communicator, Charisma, etc.Comparison of Gates and Oprah Leadership Qualities with Leadership TheoriesBoth Gates and Oprah follows Transformational Leadership Theory5. Comparison of Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey Leadership Qualities and with Leadership Theories/Models5.1 Comparison of6. Authors opinions about Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey Leadership Styles A REASONED compendium AND APPROACHComparison of Bill and OprahMotivation and Empowerment, Communication, Teams, Diversity, Le arning Organization, Ability in bringing about changeMotivation Employees satisfaction Customers Satisfaction Customers trueness Companys ProfitabilityMaslows Hierarchy of NeedsLeadership CommunicationEffective listen and deduce why listening is important to leadership communication.Recognize and take in the difference between dialogue and discussion.Appropriate communication channel for your leadership message.Use communication to influence and persuade others.Effectively communicate during time of stress or crisis.Transformational and charismatic leadership7. ConclusionBased on extensive reading and research on leadership books, the authors conclude that effective leadership really boils down to how each leader first understand himself and then his followers, his organization and all external factors (inclusive of awareness of diversity, cultural differences and fast-flying changing environment) prior to adopting the appropriate leadership styles and behaviours to suit th ese situations. In other words, theres no one fixed style as his or her leadership style should vary as per todays rapid changing and diversified business world.Gates is a visionary whereas Oprah is a transformational leader.