In this paper, we will discuss the leadership development practices in a Virgin Group of

company owned by a charismatic Leader Richard Branson. This paper will seek to understand

the styles and impact of leadership in Virgin Group. How Leadership help the employees to be

able to work effectively in a team. Finally, it focuses on development needs of individuals.

Leadership can be broadly defined as the process of inspiring, coordinating, directing, mentoring

and motivating, individuals, groups of individuals, organizations, societies, or nations toward

achieving goals or results. Such a simple definition hides the reality that leadership as a concept

is rife with complexity and debate.

A simple search of the word leadership will yield several thousand articles and

publications on leadership written by academic scholars. As such, any attempt to define and

summarize leadership will be a complex endeavour that will never

fully capture and account for the concept of leadership. The aim of

this encyclopaedic entry, therefore, is to provide a general overview

of leadership specific to organization studies for the novice reader.

There are two separate views relating to leadership styles: one view holds that leaders are born.

The qualities they embody are unlimited (Bryman, 2006, Pp. 63-70). Other concept is that in

order to emerge as leaders, humans need to work hard and develop these qualities. Both the

economic model as well as behavioural perspective examines leadership as a role whose purpose

is to help an organization to be more adaptable. Leadership can help an organization in pursuing

towards adaptive change (Burns, 2004, pp. 12).

L02: Understand the Styles and Impact Of Leadership.

Leadership Styles

Santora (2007) noted that "because charismatic leaders possess personal magnetism, they

inevitably attract followers to their cause and inspire, motivate, and engender trust among their

disciples, often creating a sense of vision for their organizations and succeeding where others

may fail." Richard Branson Charismatic leadership does not account situational attributes, but

focuses on psychodynamics and powerful motivation among the employees of Virgin group.

Weber, as stated by Dorian, Dunbar, Frayn, and Garfinkel (2010) was the first to apply the term

charisma to leadership and suggested that the authority of the charismatic leader was derived

from faith in their exemplary character. These individuals are no

doubt articulate, passionate and can inspire those around them to

newfound levels. With that said, there is much room for exploitation

for those particularly narcissistic in nature (Bryman, 2006, Pp. 63-

70).

The Impact of Leadership Style

The upper echelons theory is presented as an alternative paradigm to the ecology of

organizations. This work comprises a collection of variables, variables, but the purpose of this

investigation refers to the study of leadership style. In this sense, we propose that it is appropriate

for the style Leadership is considered in the theory of variable upper levels since this variable has

direct effects on decision-making processes and the results of organizations. In Virgin group the

Leadership style influences climate and weather influences creativity and productivity. In

addition, leadership directly affects the productivity. Previous studies are consistent, we propose

that different leadership styles have different effects on variables such as flexibility,

accountability, standards, rewards, clarity and commitment, and in some cases the organisational

climate (Bryman, 2006, Pp. 63-70).

Fig 1: Charismatic Leadership

2.1) Explain the Skills and Attributes Needed For Leadership At Virgin Group.

Leadership and motivation are two sides of the same coin, where the first look at the

leader and the second to his followers, therefore, we can also say that lead is to cause motivation.

Communication Skills in Leader

The communication identified as one of the most important factors of success or failure

of a project. Good communication within the project team and between the project manager,

members of the team and all external stakeholder is essential. Richard Branson understands that

clear communication is the quickest way to a real teamwork and high performance (Yammarino,

2003, pp 121-124).

Dedication

Strategic leaders committed to long-term survival and prosperity of Virgin Group. Those

are the primary objectives whose importance is never over-emphasized. Strategic leaders

recognize the difference between means and ends. Profits and cash flow are means to an end and

not an end in itself. Profit is the means by which a firm reinvests in its future at the lowest cost.

Leaders must love the organization and the goals. Must have the desire to put before the

company targets above all else, requires passion (Yammarino, 2003, pp 121-124).

Credibility

Leaders do what they say. The coherence of actions and words is essential. So is honesty.

If circumstances change determine the performance, a leader must be prepared to explain why

and be able to do, if not get the promised results, a leader must be able to admit mistakes or

defects (Yammarino, 2003, pp 121-124).

Extraordinary ability

The strategic leader must be the best in a key aspect of the company and be able to turn

this into something different quality (Yammarino, 2003, pp 121-124).

2.2) Explain the Difference between Leadership and Management.

There is a thin line of difference between leadership and management. Many scholars and

practitioners have made an attempt to describe the difference between these two fields. This

thing can best be described by focusing on what are the elements of these two fields that

complement. It supports each other instead of seeking the differences between these two. One

thing that is common in both leadership and management is that both deals with working with

other people and working towards attainment of goals. Both of these fields are separated from

each other, but they go hand in hand.

Management involves more authoritative relationship that flows from top to down. On

the other hand, leadership involves more influential relationship between the members. From a

theoretical and conceptual perspective, these differences may seem to be very clear, but in a

practical world, the scenario is entirely different. There are many concepts and aspects that

overlap and merge with each other in a practical world (Burns, 2004, pp. 12).

Fig 2: Difference between Leader and Managers

2.3) Compare leadership Styles For Different Situations within the Virgin group

Adoption of leadership styles to different situations

With the evolution, of management and leadership that we see fit today, individuals and

major organizations look forward for organizations and their employees to come on both

integrative bargaining (Dvir, Eden and Shamir, 2002, pp. 735–744). A win-win situation where

both the employee and the overall organization need to work hand in hand for the purpose and

objective of understanding and portraying individuals and their respective skills and abilities to

mould themselves in the environment. Since the reason of existence and accountability of

individuals are significantly and distinctly from one another, therefore, the leadership styles shall

vary accordingly. For instance, the work environment in a stock exchange may require a more

participative environment, while governments and other political settings aims towards the

adoption and practice of authoritative and bureaucratic leadership demonstrations (Collins and

Holton, 2004, pp. 217–248).

2.4) Explain Ways That Richard Branson Could Use To Motivate Staff to Achieve Objectives

Richard Branson establishes principles in Virgin Group concerning the way people

should be treated and the way goals should be pursued. Inspire a Shared Vision Leaders

passionately believe that they can make a difference by sharing their vision to inspire people

(Avolio, 2005, pp. 441).

a) Challenge the Process

b) Leaders search for opportunities to change the status quo.

c) Enable Others to Act

d) Leaders foster collaboration and builds team spirit to make people perform for the

attainment of goals.

e) Encourage the Heart

f) Accomplishing extraordinary things in organizations is hard to achieve, which is

why this technique is adopted.

Fig 3: Motivation Ways

L03: Be Able To Work Effectively In a Team

Team dynamics were so contradictory that, on the rare occasions the team was able to

make a decision, the other team members tried to sabotage the outcome. One of the most

comprehensive definitions of a management team itself is defined as a group of employees who

have the following responsibilities (House and Javidan, 2004pp 12-15):

These five areas represent the implementation of best practices of teams within an

organisation and can be viewed on a continuum.

a) Managing

b) Assign tasks to team members

c) Plan and schedule your own work

d) Responsible for making decisions

e) Able to take action to remedy specific problems.

3.1) Assess the Benefits of Team Working To Virgin Group

Undoubtedly, there are many thoughts that have come from the idea of "leadership."

Defining a leader for his personal attributes or qualities has been one of the initial positions to

address the subject. It was believed that a leader was an innate condition of the individual. There

have been many criticisms of this perspective.

The current trends do not only take into account personality characteristics, but prioritize

the behaviour and the context in which develops leadership in Richard Branson. Thus, research

shows that most people can exercise effective leadership provided to adjust their attitudes and

behaviours in early effective leadership and the contexts in which they operate. Now, what is to

be an effective leader? Consists of the leader's ability to generate on their subordinates not only

changes in their attitudes and behaviours from what the leader transmits, but that subordinates

feel satisfaction and happiness by following the guidelines that the leader sets (Bass, 2005, pp.

38-42).

3.2) Demonstrate Working in a Virgin Group Team as a Leader and Member Towards

Specific Goals, Dealing With any Conflict or Difficult Situations.

Management and Leadership have been greatly associated with one another since leading

itself is one of the core components of effective management that is, planning, organizing,

leading and controlling. In Virgin Group, the reason leading is a key component is because when

employees, students, subordinates, coordinators or even family members living in a family

setting or grouping are required and obliged to follow certain rules and principles set by an

authoritative individual or body or organization that runs the entire setup. Thus for effective

management, strong and effective leadership skills are necessary and inevitably crucial in order

for the entire system of conduct, to survive accordingly. Strategic management clearly implies

the positioning and undertaking of organizational goals and tailoring them in order to improve

the external reputation and portfolio in the overall market (House and Javidan, 2004pp 12-15).

The word ‘strategy’ is most commonly termed as a helping hand, a tool, a utensil that

reduces any hindrances or causalities that may presumably occur in the process of bulleting.

Strategic management not only works for the importance of the organizational functioning; it

aims to stimulate the performance of employees working in different time intervals, helping to

monitor and scrutinize their overall capability and assess their willingness to work in a

mainframe context. One key and important situation that strategic management undertakes is the

company’s mission (which is the company’s reason of existence). Vision (future goals of the

organization). The policies and regulations framed by the company, which are coined in the

shape of projects and programs in order to achieve the major goals set by the organization

(Avolio, 2005, pp. 441).

3.3) State Ways through Which Leaders at Virgin Group Can Review the Effectiveness of

Their Team in Achieving the Goals

Virgin group with effective leadership probably no achieve greater productivity than

those where their leaders have the ability to influence and engage their followers with business

objectives. Those who fail to develop effective leadership are likely to live behind their

employees to make them do what they expected of them, and reap lower contributions and

innovations of their personal, staff, among other costs we could name. It resulted in some

important conclusions regarding the identification some clues to achieve effective leadership in

your company or organisation (Yammarino, 2003, pp 121-124).

Consists of the leader's ability to generate on their subordinates not only changes in their

attitudes and behaviours from what the leader transmits, but that subordinates feel satisfaction

and happiness by following the guidelines that the leader sets. In other words, it is to get it to be

achieved in the lead role, with the addition that effectiveness is accepted, loved, desired by those

who are led (Collins and Holton, 2004, pp. 217–248).

Fig 4: Ways to Determine the Effectiveness of the Team

L04: Be Able To Assess the Work and Development Needs of Individuals

People spend most of their time trying to plan how they will develop their activities,

planning how they will achieve their goals and other less important, and sometimes spend more

time trying to organize his time, but there are also people methods that achieve organize their

time, so they achieve their objectives and develop effectively. To keep a good control of time

and a good time management must be clear about where you want to go, hence the importance of

addressing vision, mission, goals of Virgin group and recognize some real strengths and some

weaknesses. Among the characteristics of a true leader is the ability to envision the future and

propose clear actions to combat the future, and achieving goals that benefit their team. Leaders

learn to earn the respect of his colleagues thanks to his charisma, which is more important to

have the power that is given to a normal manager with its office (Bryman, 2006, Pp. 63-70).

4.1) Explain the Factors Involved In Planning Monitoring and Assessment of Work

Performance in Virgin Group

There are certain factors involved in planning monitoring and assessment of work

performance in virgin group that are recognized as aspects promote effective leadership. Among

them recognize the emotional equilibrium, in the jargon amount of daily work to maintain a

sense of humour, have good manners treatment and employee relations have respect for the

employee, talk, explain mode. It is also clear the importance of emotional balance when a

conflict within the group, the importance of someone "cold cloth to put the situation" and "calm

down" with a calm words.

Fig 5: Effective Leadership

Several studies have concluded that achieving a sense of family and friendship in which

there concern for the group, resulting in greater participation and satisfaction of group members,

who see the organisation and its decisions as their own. A purely utilitarian relationship and

recently participated in a non-generate leadership "wanted" among employees (Bryman, 2006,

Pp. 63-70)

.

4.2 &4.3) State How Managers at Virgin Group Can Plan and Deliver the Assessment of the

Development Needs of Individuals and Evaluate the Success of the Assessment Process

Managers at virgin group plan and deliver the assessment of the development needs of

individuals by Good governance. It requires

a balanced emphasis on purpose, especially

from senior management. This approach

eliminates the very common and pernicious

practice of "crisis management" and

leadership based on coercion. There are

companies in which management does not

consider it necessary to use force to compel

subordinates "move (Collins and Holton, 2004, pp. 217–248). Nevertheless, the method of

governance based on coercion is the rule rather than the exception. It can be applied on any

situation that occurs whether expected or unexpected. For example, there are numerous of

different situations occur in an operations department of a firm. Thus, managers need to have the

ability to make decisions in such uncertain situations.

The fact that everything comes back "to normal" after a couple of weeks after the lifting

of "sanctions" - it is no secret. The only obvious result of "a carrot" is the mass dismissal of

couriers and clerks, so that directors with a monthly salary of 15 thousand euro account by

typing their letters. Yet many managers are hesitant to completely abandon the "hard" style of

leadership, not realizing that the "strength" in the end, it is impossible to solve any serious

problem. Therefore, going globally has been essential for an organisation if it wants to be

expanded. In this regard, the managers of the company have to fulfil the demands of being

multicultural or multinational organisation. The workforce of the organisation is diverse, so the

managers or leaders over there should understand the feelings and rights of each and every

employee. These are the challenges which are facing by the managers or leaders of the

companies in order to be globalise (Dvir, Eden and Shamir, 2002, pp. 735–744).

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