Session 11 Class Activity
Leader Profile Activity
Complete this document from the class activity and submit on eClass for activity marks by the end of today. Please leave in the current format; submit in PDF or DOC.
Task Instructions
Complete the following four questions. To do so, you must use evidence obtained through your research and include references at the end.
1.
Research a real leader of an organization, government, sports team, prominent community group, etc., or use a leader from a well-known movie. Provide a brief (few sentences) of description about them based on your research.
The leader would be Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla,. Musk is known for his
innovative vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and ambition to revolutionize various industries, including space exploration, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
2. Do you think this individual is an effective or ineffective leader? Explain in which way you think they have succeeded or failed as a leader; for example, this could be an outcome related to the leader’s performance, impact on subordinates, or the organization
as a whole. Provide concrete examples from your research to support your argument.
Musk can be viewed as both effective and controversial as a leader. On one hand, he has spearheaded ground-breaking advancements in technology, such as the development of reusable rockets through SpaceX and the popularization of electric vehicles with Tesla. These achievements have had significant impacts on their respective industries and have garnered admiration from many. On the other hand, Musk's leadership style has also been criticized for its unpredictability, micromanagement tendencies, and occasional controversial behavior on social media, which have raised concerns among investors and stakeholders.
3.
Apply any one
leadership theory/concept to explain WHY your leader has resulted in this outcome you described in #2 (i.e., why does this theory/concept fit with the example leader you chose). You must select one of the specific theories/concepts under the broader
umbrella of behavioural, situational, or exchange-based approaches.
Situational Leadership Theory could help explain Musk's leadership effectiveness. This
theory emphasizes that effective leadership depends on adapting one's style to the specific needs and readiness of followers. Musk has demonstrated a dynamic approach to leadership, adjusting his strategies and involvement based on the demands of different projects and challenges. For instance, he is known to be highly hands-on and detail-oriented in the development stages of SpaceX rockets, showcasing a more directive leadership style. Conversely, he has also empowered talented teams within Tesla to innovate autonomously, displaying a more delegative approach. Musk's ability to flexibly navigate various leadership styles based on situational demands has contributed to his success in leading diverse ventures.
