Leaders Comparison and Critique

Comparison between the CEO of Apple Company, Steve Jobs and Indra Nooyi, CEO Pepsi Company. |

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Sobowale Oluwatosin |

4/26/2012 |

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Introduction

There are no stringent rules of a good leadership, but every effective leader has their own style depending on the situation. Leadership to most is being authentic, considerate, sensitive, modest as well as creative, smart, and strategically brilliant. (Pfeiffer Jeffrey) In the past, scholars and people generally, look at leadership as something straightforward that can be done by the books. However, leadership today is more complicated as a result of the evolving global business environment. There are various principles and theories that try to explain effective leadership but none could entirely explain it. Most leaders do combine two or more of these theories to become more effective leading their followers. These theories are: (Kendra Unknown)

Great Man Theories which assumes that the capacity of leadership is inherent and that leaders are born not made.

Trait Theories is similar to the great man theories but in the case, the assumption is that people have inherent behaviour that makes them better leader.

The Contingency theories believe that no leadership style is best in all situations but depends on some variables including leadership styles and qualities of their followers.

This is similar to the Situational theories which propose that leaders choose the best course of action based upon situational variable.

Behavioural theories propose that leaders are made not born and people can learn to become leaders through teaching and observation.

The leadership style that encourage the participation and contributions from group members, making them feel more relevant and committed to decision making processes is explained by participative theories.

Management theories also known as transactional theories focus on role of supervision, organization and group performance. It is a leadership style,...