Xero Case

Case Study: Ursula Burns: Xerox’s Chairwoman and CEO

Answer Q1.

In my opinion, Ursula Buns is a charismatic and transformational leader. In the case, Burns said that innovation is one of two tenets guiding how she leads the company. Under her tenure, 20% managing and 80% leading. Transformational leaders lead, and transactional leaders manage. So she is a transformational leader. She is the first time an African American woman was named CEO of a major American corporation and the first time a woman succeeded another woman in the top job at a company of this size. Her story can encourage many people. So she is a charismatic leader.

Answer Q2.

In the case, Burns said that innovation is one of two tenets guiding how she leads the company. She encourages her employers get the best out of the group. She also describes Xerox’s culture is “possibility”.

Answer Q3.

Yes. Ursula Burns does fit the bill. As a single-mother, she did her best to make her children’s life getting better. She had opportunity to do for other people that her mother had done for her.

Answer Q4.

1. Vision. She had a long- range vision on her company.

2. Good communication skills.

3. Strong leadership traits. She is ability to inspire her employees.

4. She has a activist mindset. Her courageousness has effect on her employees, let them expect and admire her.

5. She has high moral values.

6. She has strong self-belief. By her mother’s influence, she did her best to make life getting better.]

7. She has strong confidant.

8. She maintained an attitude to her mother. This is her belief.

Q5.

Ms. Burns does not believe leading and managing are the same. She thinks leading approach transformation.