The success of an individual in a leadership position depends on several factors. The strategy used as well as the level of training that a person has greatly influenced the success of their leadership. Some of the most successful business leaders globally employ strategies incorporating high degrees of emotional intelligence. Goleman explained emotional intelligence to be an important factor influencing the success of a leader (93). According to Goleman, successful leaders are self-aware, self-regulated, and empathetic, motivated, and with impeccable social skills (95). These elements of emotional intelligence also influence the strategy chosen by different leaders. This paper will involve an assessment and comparison of the leadership qualities of three top business leaders in the world. The paper seeks to access the impact of emotional intelligence on the success of the three leaders.
Individual Assessment
The three leaders chosen have managed to establish and run their businesses into successful enterprises. The first leader is Tim Cook, who has been Apples CEO for the past four years. Cook, who had worked under Steve Jobs, has managed to ensure Apple remains a profitable company even after the death of its founder. Just like Steve Jobs, Cook would explain the most important part of his job to be the product. Cook meets with Apple’s head designer three times a week to understand and monitor the design process for new phones (Richtel and Chen). Cook has worked in Apple as an operations executive; therefore, has a proper understanding of the gadgets industry. Cook showed this experience by reviving Apple back to profits after experiencing a drop in stock prices in 2013 (Richtel and Chen). The introduction of the mini iPad also shows knowledge of the market, as the smaller tablet sold more than, the larger iPad. Just like Jobs, Cook is involved in all decision making involving products. This involvement allows employees to keep up with Apple’s history of innovation and high-quality production. Cook also communicates to employees often; therefore, shares his vision and commitment to the Apple staff.
The other leader chosen is an innovative individual, who understood a niche in the market, and decided to start a business in response to the market gap. Tony Zhang is the owner of Tony Farms, which is one of the largest organic foods producers in China. According to Little, Zhang considers the quality of his produce as the most important part of his job.Due to the high prices that customers pay for organic foods in China, Zhang ensures that his farm produce are top notch quality by conducting extensive research on the most advanced production methods. Zhang also considers the production of healthy foods as an important part of his job. Zhang studied agriculture in University and also worked in the ministry for agriculture. This experience allowed him to understand the Chinese food and agricultural market. He also owned a restaurant, which allowed him to understand the distinction between commercially produced food and organic produce (Little).
Hamdi Ulukaya is a Turkish immigrant who managed to establish a profitable Yogurt selling business in America. Ulukaya is the CEO of Chobani, a company that produces Greek yogurt. Ulukaya explains the most important part of his job to be the production of original and high-quality yogurt. Before starting the company, Ulukaya had noticed that American Yogurt was terrible; therefore, identified a market gap, where he would make profits from selling high-quality yogurt (Gruley). Ulukaya grew up in turkey milking his family sheep. On coming to America, he worked as a farmhand as he studied at the University. This experience allowed him to understand the various dynamics of the milk business; therefore, establish a profitable business.
Link to Course Work
The three leaders have achieved success in each of their respective fields due to the use of specific leadership strategies based on the behavioral leadership theories. Cook’s leadership strategy involves a high consideration of innovation and creativity among employees. The strategy focused on the production of high-quality, innovative products has resulted in Cook encouraging employees to think outside the box for new ideas and innovation. Cook is also a people-oriented leader, whom employees have explained to be ‘approachable’ (Richtel and Chen). The leadership style employed by Tim Cook illustrates high instances of emotional intelligence. His ability to freely interact with employees shows that he is empathetic and understands his employees. He is also motivated as noted by his strong will to achieve. He is also self-motivated and understands his limited; therefore is self-regulated (Goleman 94).
Zhang’s leadership strategy has allowed him to penetrate a market flooded with cheaper alternatives to his. In China, the majority of the food is produced commercially and sold at extremely low prices. Zhang’s organic products are however almost four times the cost of the commercially produced foods (Little). Zhang’s company has allowed him to remain competitive as he employs a transformational leadership strategy. Zhang aims at protecting the consumers, his employees, and the environment through his production. His leadership strategy also exhibits high instances of emotional intelligence. He is friendly with his employees, which shows impeccable social skills. Other than social skills, Zhang is also aware of his strengths and weakness, which allows him to take critics and suggestions in a positive way. Zhang is also self-motivated and due to his experience as a restaurant owner and an employee in the ministry of agriculture is empathetic of his employees. He understands his employees and ensures he nurtures their talents.
Ulukaya leadership strategy has allowed him to move from no revenue to making over $ 1 billion in sales within a period of eight years. Ulukaya employs a situational leadership strategy, which focusses on responding to issues in the market. Ulukaya is also a transformative leader as noted in how he treats his employees. Ulukaya’s factory run for twenty-four hours, which often requires hiring employees in surplus to work the extra shift. Situational leadership is mainly noted in the establishment of firms in different areas to ensure milk production. Due to milk regulations in the state of New York, Ulukaya established a milk processing factory in Idaho to counter the lack of milk situation. His style of leadership also employs high instances of emotional intelligence. He is highly social with both employees, and journalists, which illustrates impeccable social skills, He is also self-regulated and understands his strengths and weaknesses properly.
Comparison of the Leaders Strategy with Readings
The strategies employed by the three business leaders share several elements with the course readings. The strategies show high instances of emotional intelligence as each of the three leaders has impeccable social skills. These leaders relate positively with staff in the company. The leaders are also aware of what works for them; which illustrates emotional intelligence. These leaders are also empathetic to employees, as shown by the inclusion of employees in decision making. The three leaders have been able to create positive relationships with employees by constant interactions with staff. These various aspects of leadership show that the leaders share a lot from the course lessons.
Works Cited
Goleman, Daniel. "What Makes a Leader?" Harvard Business Review (1998): 93-102. Print.
Gruley, Bryan. How Turkish Immigrant made a Billion Dollars in Eight years sellingYogurt. 4 February 2013. Web. February 2016. <http://magsreview.com/bloomberg-businessweek/bloomberg-businessweek-february-4-2013/4221-how-a-turkish-immigrant-made-a-billion-dollars-in.html>.
Little, Amanda. Building the Whole Foods of China. 2014. Web. February 2016. <http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/articles/2014-07-31/tonys-farm-organic-food-provider-to-chinas-elite#p1>.
Richtel, Matt, and Brian X. Chen. Tim Cook, Making Apple His Own. 15 June 2014. Web. February 2016. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/technology/tim-cook-making-apple-his-own.html?_r=0>.
