Write a report identifying and discussing the leadership style(s) used within the organisation

Assignment Brief

Choose an organisation that you are familiar with and based on that knowledge and understanding, write a report identifying and discussing the leadership style(s) used within the organisation. Your report should provide a critical analysis of the effectiveness of these leadership styles.

Assignment Question

“Choose an organisation that you are familiar with and based on that knowledge and understanding, write a report identifying and discussing the leadership style(s) used within the organisation. Your report should provide a critical analysis of the effectiveness of these leadership styles.”

My lecturer notes below:

1. The aim of the assignment is to assess whether you do have a good understanding and knowledge following the lectures and seminars, of the different leadership styles and their effectiveness.
2. To demonstrate this, the assessment requirement is for you to choose an organisation and understand the different leadership styles at play within the organisation so that you can adequately analyse the effectiveness of the varied styles within it.
3. The recommendation will be to choose an organisation that is in the public sector or a medium sized organisation as that will give you more depth and breadth in terms of your analysis of the leadership style(s)
4. Most organisations will have at play more than one leadership style particularly if there are multiple levels in the hierarchy.
5. The assessment is not restricting you to one leadership style but for you to identify all and analyse these.
6. Being level 6 students, the analysis needs to be critical and underpinned by theoretical knowledge

In the report please also include executive summary/abstract/synopsis on the company (to give company background).

As well as critical analysing the effectiveness of the company’s leadership style, please make sure the report includes HR theories from the PowerPoints attached in the email.

Briefly make recommendations for the company’s leadership style as well.

Assignment Criteria

For sources please see our recommended reading list and video list below. Plus, use sites like ProQuest, Emerald, Google scholar

Reading - undertake selected reading and reflection on leadership definitions, theory and practice. See suggested references and reading materials below.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32327/12-923-leadership-management-key-to-sustainable-growth-evidence.pdf

http://samples.jbpub.com/9780763742911/42910_CH02_007_024.pdf

https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Introduction-to-Management-and-Leadership-Concepts-Darr/cc86e5f3f4e8778c2450e693a8400c7650c27bea?p2df

Zeitchik, S. (2012). 10 Ways to Define Leadership. Business News Daily.

BOLDEN, R., WITZEL, M. and LINACRE, N. (2016) Leadership paradoxes: rethinking leadership for an uncertain world. Abingdon: Routledge.

Northouse, G. (2007). Leadership Theory and Practice. (3rd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Kruse, K. (2013). What Is Leadership? Forbes Magazine

Goleman, D., Boyatzis, R. and McKee, A. (2013). `Primal Leadership,` Brighton, Massachusetts: Harvard Business Review Press.

Blake, R., & Mouton, J. (1964). The Managerial Grid: The Key to Leadership Excellence. Houston, TX:Gulf Publishing Company.

House, R. J. (1971). A path-goal theory of leader effectiveness. Administrative Science  Quarterly, 16, 321-338.

Encyclopaedia of Human Resource Management (2016) Wilkinson. A and Johnston. S. Chapter 13. Turner, P.S., Purpose Driven Leadership.  https://www.elgaronline.com/view/nlm-book/9781783475452/C281.xml

Additional video content

• Mouton Blake Managerial Grid
• 6 Emotional Leadership Styles (Daniel Goleman)
• Purpose driven leadership; how to start a cultural transformation. Simon Sinek.

Additional video content

• The perils of confusing management and leadership. John Kotter.
• Management versus Leadership. Alexander Lyon.

Sample Answer

Leadership Styles in the UK National Health Service (NHS): A Critical Analysis

Executive Summary

This report explores the leadership styles used within the National Health Service (NHS), one of the largest public sector organisations in the UK. It identifies key leadership approaches, critically analyses their effectiveness, and discusses the implications for organisational performance and employee engagement. The report draws on leadership theories such as Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence Model, Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid, and House’s Path-Goal Theory, offering recommendations for enhancing leadership effectiveness within the NHS.

Introduction

Leadership plays a crucial role in determining the success and sustainability of any organisation. In the NHS, leadership is particularly significant due to its size, complexity, and the critical nature of its services. Effective leadership in healthcare impacts not only employee morale but also patient outcomes and service efficiency. This report identifies and evaluates the leadership styles used in the NHS and provides a critical analysis of their effectiveness in achieving organisational goals.

Theoretical Framework and Leadership Styles

Leadership theories provide a foundation for understanding how different styles impact organisational behaviour. Three key theories are used in this report:

• Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Styles: Goleman (2013) identified six emotional leadership styles: coercive, authoritative, affiliative, democratic, pacesetting, and coaching. Effective leaders adapt these styles based on the situation.

• Blake and Mouton’s Managerial Grid: This model assesses leadership based on concern for people and concern for production, identifying five leadership styles from impoverished (low/low) to team management (high/high).

• House’s Path-Goal Theory: This theory suggests that effective leaders adjust their style to help employees achieve their goals, focusing on directive, supportive, participative, and achievement-oriented leadership.

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