Leadership Case Study: Oticon

Leadership Case Study OticonA range of materials pick out detailed the various(a) advancees to attractorship, development of leadership and its management competency structure in a number of organizations. The information provided here is int fireed to communicate to the readers and markers whether or non exploits, activities, and behaviors of Oticon and its president meet entrepreneurial texts. This paper in addition shows the different kinds of strategies pick out by a leader to help maximize the success of a short letter.Leadership as a analyzable process that concerns the extent to which a set of standards, qualities and or competencies can capture the nature that get ins some leaders and organizations thrive and an separate(prenominal)(prenominal)s unproductive (Burns, 1978). In Oticon, the political, structural, and cultural obstacles that atomic number 18 present in many organizations lead non been a problem or hindrance to the company in obtaining its set obj ectives. Oticon has been suitable to meet its objectives because the leaders are a state of ware of these hindrances and present come up with appropriate solutions to overcome them completely (Hofstede, 1977).Leadership style is the manner of directing, implementation of plans, and demand of individuals in an organization. There are a number of theories that have been discussed to show their in force(p)ness in the organization. Power in Oticons leadership style has been streamlined to wholly managers. They have shown that shift is good, but one should take note of the power source which greatly impacts the growth of the business and attainment of organizational goals and objectives. Power in this case leads us to understanding the importance of leadership government agencys in the organization. In the end point, we see the appropriateness of the leadership style used in Oticon Company (Yukl, 1989).Managing versus hintLeadership ensures that the organization and either the stakeholders do the right thing. It has the authority to set rush, make closes, and create different policies. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that the organization is easy managed, resources available are associated with expectations, and that they are operating within the legal and ethical boundaries stipulated. Management on the other hand, assures that the staff and volunteers of that organization follow to the latter the direction that has been set by the boards of directors and do things right. This is achieved done the use of strategic plans that relate to the operational plans which are later presented to the board to explain to them how well the operational plans have been implemented. The management ensures that the board understands the presented data (Vroom and Yetton, 1973).Lars Kolind displays to his managers and staff certain emotions which have enabled most of them understand and fully accommodate the feelings of others. His high emotional intellig ence (EI) has vastly contributed to his role of instilling change in others working in his organization. For those with anger, enjoyment, love, and sadness while working, he has motivated them which have seen to the growth of the business. In the case study, we see that beforehand using the disorganized organization strategy the profits obtained were very low. However, when Oticon started using it, more profits were obtained in a very short period of time. This was achieved by considering the emotional intelligence of its workers who were not sure of how effective the leadership style would help the organization obtain its objectives effectively. These attributes do transfer to leaders outside the business sphere for example, if one is always angry and sad, no one will be able to freely socialize with him/her for awe of being assaulted. Those filled with fear cannot be able to do anything for their own not even engaging in any business.Leadership functionsEffective leadership of change means that, when the leader uses new methods of administration to achieve the desired goals, the staff and managers should accept and implement them fully. The contingency or situational school of thought indicates that the style to be used is low-level on factors such as the situation, the people, the labor, the organization, and other variables of the environment (Fiedler, 1967). Fielders contingency model is a theory under the situational school of thought that cl too soon emplacementulates that managers do not have a single way that can be described as stovepipe for leading the organization. Situations will be the ones creating the different style requirements for managers. The best solution accorded for a managerial situation is conditional on the factors that encroach on the situation. For example, in Oticon, repetitive mechanical tasks have become a norm to the workers (dynamic environment), thereof a more flexible, participative leadership style has been used. T he leader-member relation is good because both the managers and employees relate with each other on a regular basis. The task is unstructured, but the power position is still maintained (Sims and Lorenzi, 1992)Variables of the environment can be measured by using favorable or unfavorable ground depending on the task oriented style. Managers do reshape their environmental variables to suit their leadership styles. Leader-member relations are the amount of devotion, reliability, and employee support received by the leaders. In an unfavorable relationship, the task is unstructured and the leader has possession of limited authority. Position power is measured with the amount of authority the manager sees that has been addicted to him or her by the organization for the sole purpose of directing, rewarding, and punishing those subordinates who fail to adhere to the rules and regulations stipulated. Positioning of power of managers depends on decreasing the favorable and increasing the u nfavorable power of decision make of the employees of the organization (Clegg, 1975).Relationship-motivated style builds interpersonal relations and extends extra help for team work development in the organization. The task- motivated style leader has cheer and fulfillment in accomplishment of the task at hand. Oticon Company sees to it that the satisfaction of the customer has been achieved the company has established a good image which has seen to the increase of the sales record, and has outperformed its competitors. Leadership theories have developed from Great Man and Trait theories to Transformational leadership. These early theories focused mainly on the characteristics and behaviors of leaders who have achieved success, while the modern theories determine into consideration the role of followers and the contextual nature of those leading an organization (Hersey and Blanchard, 1977).Transformational leaders have displayed behaviors that are linked to five basic styles of transformation stance behaviors (living on ones whimls), Inspirational motivation where leaders inspire others, Intellectual stimulation where others are being stimulated, Individualized considerations that deals with coaching and development of individuals, Idealized attributes which include respecting, trusting, and having combine in others. These leaders are pro busy in many unique ways. They optimize on development which includes the maturation of ability, motivation, attitudes, and values of the organization (Likert, 1961).Transformational leadership is the approach taken by most leaders in creating a shared vision, develop and coach employees who will become future leaders, encourage innovation in others in the organization, and act with high ethical standards and integrity (Bass Avolio 1994). Dispersed leadership is an informal, emergent, or dispersed leadership where the leaders role has been dissociated from the organizational hierarchy. At completely levels of the org anizations, individuals have been given the power to exert leadership influence over their workmates hence influence the leadership of the organization. Oticon is a good example. The tasks of the managers have been restructured. A magnetized leader is based on self-belief where people follow others whom they admire (Gordon, 1998). This method of leadership is not a good way of impressionualizing leaders since there are those who dont have the charisma of attracting individuals but are admired. Leaders do not perform their roles. Their concentration drifts to pleasing individuals at the expense of attaining the organizational goals.Leaders functions from the preceding(prenominal) with regard to change addresses the need for the leaders to inspire employees rather than direct them, involve them in decision making rather than divide, encourage diversity and challenge methods rather than accept the old routine that was being used, encouraging employees to think widely, trust in the projects they come up with and support them, and commitment of the leaders in ensuring that their projects are carried out effectively by the organization by providing them with the resources they require are just a few of the functions (Bass, 1985).Leadership RolesOticon Company is different from other existing companies since they instilled change in the workplace for the better by using a different kind of leadership style in leading and managing the organization. In creating a vision for the organization, I will bear in mind the objectives of the organization which are of importance when stipulating the vision. If one does not put it into consideration, the goals and objectives of the organization may not be attained in time. Teams have managed to access shared information that has helped in lifting the performance of the organization, but in places like banks and hospitals, such freedom has been minimized to the leaders only since this will bring about confusion in the organi zation as it deals with very sensitive matters (Daft, 2002).Substantive actions and results of management concerning changing the decision making patterns are the decisions that largely result from external constraints and power-dependence. Symbolic action (expressive) is where management uses symbols and political language in legitimizing and rationalizing the policies and decisions of the organization. The effect of symbolic action is participatory decision-making that reflects the occurrence taking place in the current world (Bennis and Goldsmith, 1997).Oticon Company workers should be given training and education programs that relate to substantial change that is bound to come their way in the next financial year if need arises. Many organizations that try to impose change on the organization end up failing to meet the targets they intend to achieve since the workers are against the form of change being imposed on them. The structure of the organization was changed and needed to be communicated to the workers so that they can be aware of how activities are being conducted in the new organization (Byrd, 1987). By communicating to the workers, the leaders were presenting them with the new responsibilities accorded to them by the chairman of the Company.Redesigning of the jobs enabled the organization to have a high quality of work performance since the needs and capabilities of the employees were fully met. Face-to-face dialogue of the management (Campbell, 1970) and employee make communication effective and thus they related on a very common ground that enabled them to exchange ideas and information easily without being distorted at any given time. Not specifying the workstations made it possible for all the workers to mingle and get to know each other well, this contributed greatly to the cohesion that existed among them (Belbin,1993).The idea of projects made employees more active in the activities of the company and thus they adviseed at maximizing p rofits and satisfying the customers whom they served. Developmental change has been able to reinforce the need for incremental change orientation process because it is people oriented (empathetic). The leader determined that the maturity level of the employees in relation to the task to be accomplished increased greatly thus reduction of the task behavior by the leader had changed and relationship behavior was increased (Bergmann, Hurson, Russ-Eft, 1999).ConclusionEmphasis has been made on the key points of change in leadership as part of the set management functions stipulated, and these functions can be traced back to the works of many philosophers. The functions of leaders in the traditional society have changed due to the shift that has occurred in the sources of personal power (Bunce, 1981). Technology was an attribute associated with the growth of an organization, but it is not the case. The one factor that contributes to an organizations growth and expansion is effective le adership skills used. Emotional intelligence has also been discussed widely. Theories have also been cited to show how the Company uses the leadership style to manage and lead its employees effectively.Leadership roles and functions are also seen to be changing with time bearing in mind that if a leader wants to achieve effectiveness in his work, then change of leadership should be looked into. Several skills and attributes that are desired by most leaders are very essential. Strategic and operational, traditional management and leadership styles have been discussed to show how they have managed to embrace the various skills available for an effective change in a leader to emerge (Kreisberg, 1992).Leadership style effectiveness can be adopted at different levels as discussed depending on the change itself. We are now conversant with the approach to take when situations arise and the type of leadership style to adopt. freighter the Concept of Realism be Plausibly Applied to celluloi d?Can the Concept of Realism be Plausibly Applied to film?Realism is arguably the most important concept within film theory. Since its inception, film has generally been concerned primarily with facsimileing real life events for the audience via photographing and camera techniques. In the process, the aim of film from its early days has been to realise both fictional and nonfictional events. As Ellis (199838) explains, the essence of cinema has always maintained an ongoing and deepseated relationship with both visual and aesthetic truthfulness.Cinema as a photographic medium instantly poses its images and sounds as recorded phenomena, whose construction occurred in another time and place. Yet though the figures, objects and places represented are absent from the space in which the viewing takes place, they are also (and astoundingly) present.It is important not to confuse cinematic realism with the realistic and naturalistic dramatic output of theatres. Though the two have often co llaborated and interchanged over the past one hundred years, the reality intrinsic in plays is inevitably different to the reality inherent in films. Theatre by nature, with its long pauses, set changes and asides to the audience, is inexorably less realistic than cinema where the stratum of scenes and the pace of the plot are subject to the whim and the taste of the film nobleman. Moreover, whereas realism is a difficult term for theatre analysts to digest dictated solo by the skills of the actor (Styan, 19831) the filmmaker is able to use scenery, music, lighting and architectural design in order to recreate a specific context or feeling.For the purpose of analysis, the following account of realism and films must adopt a dualistic approach. One the one hand, the essay must prove to define realism within film theory, especially with regards to conceptualising the different kinds of realism prevalent in cinema. On the other hand, it must necessarily look at examples of realis m in action to show how filmmakers are able to apply theory to practice in a seamless transition. A conclusion will be sought that attempts to show that the realism is the most important paradigm in not only in film but in all serious fine and creative endeavours.Although realism in film theory would appear to be a straightforward concept, roughly adhering to the Greek idea of memesis (imitation), the history of film has coincided with the history of modern western philosophical tradition, which since the middle of the nineteenth century has sought to rebel against the untainted notions of the romantic movement in fiction and in painting (Stam, 200015). This signals that realism is a relatively recent phenomenon in western artistic ideology. As such, it would be nave to presume that it has not been (and will not continue to be) the subject of vast theoretical changes. The following is therefore a brief overview of the variations of realism in film that have been witnessed end-to- end the past century.Early films could not hope to achieve realism on camera until the advent of sound. With this development, film was in possession of sight, sound and context to assist its replication of real life. This facilitated the classical era of American film with classical realism used as a staple part of the Hollywood fast in the films of the 1930s and 1940s. The aim was to create spatial and temporal continuity. Classical realist films achieved this via the utilisation of conventional devices for denoting the passing of time, editing devices and the adoption of a strict etiquette with regards to changing from scene to scene (such as camera closeups.) It is important to note that this classical ideal of film theory did not seek to exactly take over reallife scenes so much as present an optical illusion of truth. (Stam, 2000143). This, it was hoped, would result in the production of a transparent kind of film, removing all traces of the physical and technical construct ion of the icon in the process. Yet, by definition, classical realism in films could not bequeath an overly elaborate plot. Rather, the concept of classical realism is concerned with episodic construction in order to convey the naturalism of the movie.The structure of the realist film, one that attempts to look at the world objectively, differs from that of the usual narrative film in either being very simple or episodic Each episode or sequence of the film suggests random occurrences that are typical and representative of the people or environment portrayed. (Wead and Lellis, 1981325)Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) is a prime example of this classical early Hollywood realism in action. The movie concentrates on portraying the realism of the American crime era in a way that had not been attempted beforehand. Whereas previous productions had tended to sway towards the stereotypical view of the underworld, Angels with Dirty Faces looks to a depicting a classical realist film with cha racters that are believable with a plot that rests solely on the humanity element of the complex world of the American gangster rather than the more idealistic, impressionist view that had hitherto been championed by Hollywood impresarios.The American model of realism has been employ with oppose vitality to European cinema where the depiction of another kind of reality has been achieved, particularly since the end of the Second World War. This is not surprising as artistic realism cannot thrive in a climate of oppression and authoritarianism like that which characterised mainland Europe during the 1930s and early 1940s. The life span, for instance, of leftist filmmaker Brecht was directly related to German politics at the time. In addition, it is su cuss no coincidence that the heyday of cut poetic realism in mainstream French cinema (where Jean Renoir stands out as the most prominent realist filmmaker of his day) came in the late 1930s, just before the collaborationist Vichy re gime strangle the creative life out of all of the national arts. It is an important point and one that should be remembered throughout the remainder of the discussion realism is directly abnormal by the social and political context in which it is expressed. Moreover, when this expression is denied by law it likewise affects the vision of realism that a filmmaker wishes to convey. patchwar incarnations of realism were reflective of the mood (certainly in Europe) in the immediate aftermath of fighting. Indeed, after this point, cinema was increasingly seen as the vehicle through which to tape drive real life to the sweetheart. This was a highly significant factor in the realism and neorealism of the time. It is worth remembering that cinema was partly trusty for the unprecedented carnage of the previous decades with the fascists in particular using film as a means of propaganda to seduce the people into acquiescence. Thus, neorealist filmmakers of the postwar era such as Orson Wel les and Roberto Rossellini wished to seduce the audience back into seeing cinema for the positive medium that it is, not the tool of tyrannous politics it had hitherto come to represent.In spite of conflicts of style, neo-realism tends to give back to the cinema a sense of the ambiguity of reality. (Bazin, 199769)In the UK, the concept of realism has been applied to film with arguably greater frequency and arguably a more accurate result than in any other comparable western country. British cinematic realism differs from the American and European models of realism in its strict representation of social reality, bequeathing the cinematic concept of social realism. Certainly, with its bleak architecture and erratic weather, Britain provides the realist filmmaker with the raw materials for accurately depicting the social realties of modern life. These films are consequently oppressive with a strong focus on the human element. In this sense, British social realism can be seen to be ap olitical, though it can also be argued that this can never really be the case. Regardless of such theories, social realism is a highly useful means of understanding the value of realism in movies.The late 1950s and early 1960s witnessed a spate of such socialrealist films. Room at the Top (1959), Look back in Anger (1959), Saturday Night and Sunday morn (1960) and The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) are all testimony to the introspective path that British film had taken in the postwar years. Part of the impetus behind this change in direction can be attributed to the domestic artistic world being opened up to young filmmakers of varying degrees of social class who wished to portray British life as they saw it as opposed to British life as viewed through the eyes of the traditional sociopolitical elite. This kitchen sink realism was superseded by a more urbanised, radical realism in British film in the termination decade of the twentieth century. The major difference between the two is the way in which the realism of the 1990s was so much more pessimistic in its outlook than the realism of the middle of the century. No one filmmaker better represents this slip into melodrama than Ken Loach the architect of documentary realism. (Hill, 2000182)At this point, give ear must be made of the alternatives to realism as a dominant film theory. While European and North American cinema continues to view realism in all of its forms as a highly useful means of social and cultural expressionism, the movies that tend to make by far the most cash at the box office continue to be the typical Hollywood blockbuster. These films are defined as cinematic escapism the diametric opposite to films that rely on depicting realism to tell a story. Blockbusters are increasingly divorced from the social realties of the day with science fiction movies being a lambent example of the way in which cinema and realism are often at odds with one another an uneasy alliance bet ween makebelieve and the movies that has served to make Hollywood cinema the most profitable industry in the USA. In terms of consumption, it would appear to be that it is not the films of realism that are the most important partners in film rather it is the nonrealism, escapist films that appeal to the most broadbased conception of the public audience.Indeed, focusing on the viewer and the audience asks further questions as to the ultimate validity of realism in films. Although the actor, the director and the producer may all feel that they have collaborated in making a truly realistic film, their judgement is in the end irrelevant. Movies may be made by filmmakers, but the final verdict on its artistic (as well as commercial) success always resides with the audience. As such, it is surely the viewer and the audience who must state whether or not a film is realistic. This, of course, involves readerly or spectatorial belief, a realism of subjective response, rooted less in mimic ac curacy than in a strong desire to believe on the spectators part. (Stam, Burgoyne and FlittermanLewis, 1998185)Therefore, in the final analysis, each and every viewer will have a different opinion with regards to whether a film was on the whole realistic or not. No two viewpoints are ever likely to be the same. This is surely the defining reason why films are made to encourage divisions of opinion and cultural debate on matters that are of relevance to the society in which the audience lives. Only films that are rooted in the concept of realism are able to achieve this kind of debate, which is in itself testimony to their ultimate value to the artistic community. Those films which seek to transport the audience away from reality are generally more concerned with the enormous commercial impact of films in the modern era, not with inciting intellectual debate. Serious filmmakers, on the other hand, will always tend to be attracted to the inherent realism afforded by the technology of film and it is for this reason that it is surely the most fundamental paradigm not only of filmmaking but also of any artistic endeavour that truly seeks to engage its audience in any meaningful way.BIBLIOGRAPHYBraudy, L. and Cohen, M. (Eds.) (1999) have Theory and Criticism Introductory Readings Oxford Oxford University PressEllis, J. (1998) Visible Fictions Cinema Television Video London RoutledgeLay, S. (2002) British Social Realism from Documentary to Brit anchor London WallflowerLehman, P. (Ed.) (1997) Defining Cinema London AthloneMurphy, R. (Ed.) (2000) British Cinema of the 90s London BFIStam, R., Burgoyne, R. and FlittermanLewis, S. (1998) New Vocabularies in lead Semiotics Structuralism, PostStructuralism and beyond London RoutledgeStam, R. (2000) Film Theory An Introduction London BlackwellStyan, J.L. (1983) Modern Drama in Theory and Practice, Volume 1 Realism and Naturalism Cambridge Cambridge University PressWead, G. and Lellis, G. (1981) Film Form and Function Bost on Houghton MifflinSelected ArticlesBazin, A. (1997) The Evolution of the Language of Cinema, in, Lehman, P. (Ed.) Defining Cinema London AthloneHill, J. (2000) Representations of the Working Class, in, Murphy, R. (Ed.) British Cinema of the 90s London BFI