Analyze What Has Changed over the Past Several Decades and What Has Stayed the Same in Leadership Within Organizations

Week 1 – Discussion 1 _BUS 520

From the e-Activity, analyze what has changed over the past several decades and what has stayed the same in leadership within organizations. Argue a position as to whether or not the meaning of leadership has changed significantly.

Based on the e-Activity, people generally look at leadership in a very different way than they did a decade ago. Leadership was seen as something that was straightforward, done “by the book,” and could be easily learned. For example in the past Task-oriented leaders performed best in situation that were extreme - very easy or very difficult situations. People-oriented leaders did best in the “in-between” situations and the Decision-making leaders told managers how they should make decisions, either by making the decision alone, or allowing team/departmental input.

Organizations have changed over the past several decades with regard to the structuring of work methods and processes. Moving away from the traditional hierarchical design, most organizations are developing flatter, leaner structures that support a more empowered, team-based workforce. The nature of leadership has also changed significantly over time. Leadership today is extremely complex and focused more on followers.

As the e-Activity stated that todays leaders must have certain traits, such as a Personally Authentic leader, who leads with purpose, values and integrity; leaders who build enduring organizations, motivate their employees to provide superior customer service and create long-term value for shareholders. Inclusive leadership creates an organizational culture that consistently produces results that benefit all of those stakeholders. Having a culturally competent leader that has the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds is a must and that organizations become the same. New pressures and demands mean organizations can no longer rely on just managers for...