Innovation in Leadership
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Innovation in Leadership
Christine Martinez
College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Grand Canyon University
Admin-620: Influence and Power in Public Administration
Professor Anita Archambeau
November 1, 2023
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Sir Richard Branson's Leadership Theory
Sir Richard Branson, the esteemed founder of Virgin Group, exhibits a commendable array of leadership qualities and conducts himself in a manner consistent with the principles of the transformational leadership philosophy.
Transformational leadership
is a leadership approach that prioritizes the inspiration and motivation of followers to facilitate the realization of
their utmost capabilities and surpass their anticipated outcomes. This idea emphasizes the leader's capacity to formulate a compelling vision, proficiently convey it, and actively encourage team members to work towards its actualization (Nawrat, 2021).
Northouse (2019) defines transformational leadership
as allowing followers to drive change. One objective that these leaders strive for is to enhance the awareness of their followers, setting aside personal interests in order to accomplish significant achievements for others (Northouse, 2019, p. 122). Transformational leaders are encouraged to effectively communicate their expectations regarding the values and norms of their organization clearly and explicitly. They need to develop a clear vision and remain committed to that path of transformation (2019). One notable trait commonly associated with transformational leaders is charisma, and it can be said that these leaders are inherently catalysts for change (Kets De Vries, 1998, p. 8). Some examples of this include having a desire for improvement, being enthusiastic, focused on achieving outcomes, being proactive in seeking new possibilities, and effectively communicating
a vision that is attainable for their followers (Kets De Vries, 1998, p. 8). Therefore, Sir Richard Branson is a notable leader who exemplifies the qualities of a transformational leader in these terms.
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Aligned Leadership Skills, Behavior, and Traits with Leadership Theory
Sir Richard Branson exhibits a notable proficiency in communication and a distinct leadership quality. The individual possesses an inherent capacity to effectively communicate his vision and objectives, fostering inspiration and motivation among his subordinates. Branson's communication style is widely recognized for its openness, transparency, and approachability, cultivating an organizational culture characterized by trust and collaboration (Half, 2016).
Branson's propensity to take risks and wholeheartedly embrace innovation is one notable example of his leadership style. A manager fosters a culture of innovation and encourages his staff to engage in creative thinking, explore novel concepts, and question established norms. The success of Branson's leadership can be attributed to his entrepreneurial drive and inclination to challenge established business norms (Half, 2016).
In the context of leadership traits, Half (2016) notes that it is evident that Sir Richard Branson possesses many qualities that significantly contribute to his remarkable efficacy as a transformational leader. He is renowned for his remarkable charisma, boundless energy, and unwavering zeal for professional endeavors. His fervor is remarkably infectious, inciting a collective inclination among others to partake in his visionary pursuits. Moreover, Branson exemplifies remarkable fortitude and versatility when confronted with adversities, enabling him to deftly maneuver through arduous circumstances and effectively guide his enterprises toward success.
Leader's Approach or Style Compared To Other Leadership Theories
When comparing Branson's leadership transformational approach to other theories, such as transactional, it is evident that he also embodies many aspects of the servant leadership theory.
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Servant leaders prioritize the needs of their followers over their own and focus on empowering them to reach their full potential. Branson's emphasis on creating a positive work environment, supporting employee growth, and promoting work-life balance aligns with the principles of servant leadership. In contrast, a transactional leadership style can be seen as suitable in some contexts as it has the potential to foster compliance with established practice norms. However, it may not necessarily encourage a culture of openness to innovation. Transformational leadership is characterized by establishing a compelling vision and motivating subordinates to surpass anticipated performance levels. In contrast, transactional leadership emphasizes utilizing external
incentives to encourage the completion of job-related duties. The significance of leadership lies in its influence on the acceptance of innovations, work attitudes, perceptions, behavior, service quality, and client results (Aarons, 2006).
Leadership Style or Approach Success
Branson's leadership style has been successful for several reasons. Firstly, his ability to communicate effectively ensures that all members of his organization understand his vision and goals. This clarity of purpose helps align everyone towards a common objective. Secondly, his emphasis on innovation and risk-taking has allowed Virgin Group to stay ahead of the curve and disrupt industries. Branson fosters an environment that promotes continuous improvement and adaptation by encouraging creativity and experimentation. Direct quotes from class texts that support my analysis are as follows: Topic Three Discussion Question 1: Gustavo Alvarez:
“In Robert K. Greenleaf's compilation of Ten Characteristics
of Servant Leadership, qualities like empathy, listening, healing, awareness,
persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to personal
growth, and community development come to light” (Norman, 2016).
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Thomas Navin:
“Of all the characteristics listed by Spears, the growth of
people/followers, persuasion, and empathy have to be the greatest challenges. A
leader that sees potential in their followers or coworkers and is willing to help
see that blossom is a true leader. Firstly, encouraging followers to realize their
own potential and becoming more proficient or knowledgeable than themselves
is not only democratic, but human (Northouse, 2019).”
Branson’s View on Innovation
According to Dodge (2017), "Innovation is the product of a combination of creativity and
productivity; several factors affect both of these elements." Strong, transparent, and encouraging relationships between supervisors and employees, as well as the freedom to make independent decisions, job control, complexity, time constraints, and supervisor support, are cultural factors that affect creativity in the workplace. These characteristics are directly related to creativity in the workplace, especially when they are part of the work group's or organization's cultural climate (2017).
Kets de Vries (1998) suggests that Sir Richard Branson's perspective on innovation is widely recognized and has played a substantial role in his achievements. Branson believes that innovation plays a pivotal role in enabling businesses to prosper amidst the dynamic and evolving landscape of the contemporary world. Branson proactively fosters an environment wherein his staff are encouraged to critically question established conventions, actively pursue novel prospects, and wholeheartedly embrace transformative technologies. His dedication to fostering innovation has facilitated the expansion of Virgin Group into many sectors, encompassing music, aviation, telecommunications, and space exploration. Dodge (2017) states that "fundamental leadership dimensions can influence how innovative an organization's
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employees perceive it to be." The relative significance of the three primary elements of leadership that contribute to innovation, namely organizational encouragement, difficult work, and workgroup support, exhibits variation contingent upon the prevailing culture inside a company. There is a link between innovation and learning. “Innovation is the product of an environment where ideas can gestate and interact. An organization or individual can create an environment that encourages learning on both the individual and organizational levels. There is also a link between building that organization and the characteristics of the environment. An innovation leader will want to foster a culture where employees feel comfortable taking risks or looking outside the norm for ideas or solutions (Prickett, 2017).
Undoubtedly, Branson's efforts at invention have significantly contributed to his success. He has successfully developed distinctive value propositions for his enterprises by continuously pursuing innovation and exploring uncharted territories. Virgin Atlantic Airways significantly transformed the airline industry by introducing pioneering in-flight entertainment systems and a customer-centric service strategy. Similarly, Virgin Galactic endeavors to render space tourism attainable for the general populace, exemplifying Branson's dedication to pushing the boundaries
of what can be achieved (Kets de Vries, 1998). Conclusion
In conclusion, Sir Richard Branson's leadership style aligns most closely with the transformational leadership theory. His exceptional communication skills, willingness to take risks, and emphasis on innovation contribute to his leadership effectiveness. Branson's approach combines transformational and servant leadership theories, creating a culture of inspiration, empowerment, and continuous improvement within his organizations. His views on innovation
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have been instrumental in his success, allowing him to disrupt industries and create unique value propositions for his businesses (Nawrat, 2021).
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References
Aarons G. A. (2006). Transformational and transactional leadership: association with attitudes toward evidence-based practice. Psychiatric Services (Washington, D.C.), 57
(8), 1162–
1169. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2006.57.8.1162
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1876730
Dodge, R., Dwyer, J., Witzeman, S., Neylon, S., & Taylor, S. (2017). The Role of Leadership in Innovation. Research Technology Management, 60
(3), 22–29. https://doi-
org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/08956308.2017.1301000
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?
url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=bth&AN=122763642&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Half, R. (2016). 9 Leadership Skills from Sir Richard Branson.
https://www.roberthalf.co.uk/advice/people-management/9-leadership-skills-sir-richard-
branson
Kets de Vries, M. F. (1998). Charisma in Action:
The Transformational Abilities Of Virgin’s Richard Branson and ABB’s Percy Barnevik. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.467.3374&rep=rep1&type=pdf
Prickett, C. M. (2017). On Leading Innovation by Becoming a Learning Organization. Armed Forces Comptroller, 62
(4), 24–27.
https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=bth&AN=126741033&site=ehost-live&scope=site
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Nawrat, A. (2021). Four leadership lessons from Richard Branson as he wins billionaire space race.
https://www.unleash.ai/strategy-and-leadership/4-leadership-lessons-from-richard-
branson-as-he-wins-billionaire-space-race/
Norman, Z. D. (2016). Servant leadership: All about an effective servant-leader. SSRN Electronic
Journal. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2834147
Northouse, P. (2018). Leadership Theory and Practice.
Leading Public Organization. 8
th
Ed. SAGE Publications: ISBN-13: 9781544362663 https://bibliu.com/app/#/view/books/9781544362663/pdf2htmlex/index.html#page_1
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