Successful companies start with successful managers. And great managers come with their own unique and distinctive leadership styles. A recent research shows that in order to be a really successful manager, one should take advantage of several leadership styles, thus, finding a way to fully cooperate and understand all groups of employees, or even every employee .
Michael Dell, the founder of Dell, Inc is one of the most prominent entrepreneurs of our time. He has been a great CEO of his company for over 20 years. In the very beginning he had very limited experience in management, but he quickly changed that by hiring Lee Walker, who provided him with the needed set of skills in management and finance (Guglielmo, 2013). He was using authoritative style of leadership in his early life when he was making all the decisions, but that gradually turned into participative style as he decided to share management. He then made it clear that he is not only the decision maker, but rather a team member, who is willing to work alongside his employees (Dell, 2014). Michael Dell created a trusting and open climate for his employees, which in its turn resulted in trust and confidence of his employees in him. He does a lot so his employees can feel empowered and thus be successful.
Rick Wagoner, a former GM’s chairman and CEO is another great manager despite the fact he overlooked the forthcoming problems for automotive industry back in 2008. He was described as smart, charismatic, self-deprecating, and approachable manager. Looking back, a lot of people are saying that he was too easy going to be a chairman of such a giant as GM. In his leadership he was using democratic style that made him personable and well liked among his employees. Issuing orders was never part of his practice, but rather asking questions was his way of making things done ("Rick Wagoner Interview", 2014). He always had a firm agenda, which was supported by suggestions and mentorship from his side. He is described as a gentle leader, who gathers all the needed information, points of view and then generates a rational decision through incessant questioning, and from this we can conclude that he was definitely using a coaching style.
Another CEO that is worth mentioning is Warren Buffett. He is the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, a company that he, as well, found himself, and which made him one of the world’s richest people. For his success he is considered one of the best investors of all times. Taking into account his success it would be a complete surprise to learn that Warren Buffett uses a “hands-off” or the Laissez-Faire management style (“Warren Buffett”, 2013). Delegative leadership quite often leads to low productivity levels, as it requires motivated and highly skilled workers, and if they are not skilled and competent they fail their tasks and miss deadlines. So, how does Warren Buffet manages to use the Laissez-Faire management style? It is simple, he hires only competent and high skilled managers, who are capable of doing business effectively and be the source of motivation of skill for those seeking it (“Warren Buffett speaks to UGA students”, 2012). It is no secret that any manager can call Warren Buffet and ask for any advice, help if he/she needs it. By using delegative leadership, Warren Buffet is actually mixing authoritative, affiliative, democratic and coaching style, and it is surely one of reasons he is so successful in what he does.
References
Guglielmo, C. (2013). Dell Officially Goes Private: Inside The Nastiest Tech Buyout Ever. Forbes.com. Retrieved 5 March 2016, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/connieguglielmo/2013/10/30/you-wont-have-michael-dell-to-kick-around-anymore/#243ed45e4fd2
Dell, M. (2014). Michael Dell's Rules for Winning Startups. Inc.com. Retrieved 5 March 2016, from http://www.inc.com/michael-dell/rules-for-winning-startups.html
Rick Wagoner Interview. (2014). YouTube. Retrieved 5 March 2016, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLgHuB6zXTQ
Warren Buffett. (2013). Business. Retrieved 5 March 2016, from https://huilielf.wordpress.com/2013/09/27/warren-buffett-3/
Warren Buffett speaks to UGA students. (2012). YouTube. Retrieved 5 March 2016, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a9Lx9J8uSs
