The article entitled “Leadership Presence and the Courage to Speak” reportedly prepared by Elizabeth A. Powell actually presented the need for leaders to speak their minds from their hearts. It was empowering to learn from Powell’s assertion that speaking one’s mind should consider the audiences’ ability to maintain their personal and professional perspectives. In addition, speaking from the heart was appreciated in terms of the need to emphasize invoking the emotional appeal from the audience to effectively influence and persuade them to see that the leaders’ contentions are actually valid; and thus, significantly authentic.
The second article, entitled “Zappos.com: Clothing, Customer Service, and Company Culture” documented the phenomenal growth and success of Zappos.com and Amazon’s offer for merger. This case actually focused on the leadership strategies employed by Zappos.com which were deemed instrumental for its remarkable success: the three Cs: clothing, customer service, and company culture. It was commendable that one of its leaders, the CEO, Tony Hsieh, was convinced that inspiring their personnel was regarded as more significant than motivating them. This is therefore another facet from the perspective of a leader who recognized that inspiration works better and more effectively in empowering people to achieve beyond what has been set in their basic roles and responsibilities.
Finally, the third article, entitled “Developing and sustaining an ethical corporate culture: The Core elements” focused on discussing and expounding on three specifically identified elements of ensuring conformity to ethical standards; of which, presence of ethical leadership is included. One is convinced that adherence to legal, moral, and ethical standards is simply paramount in the sustained success of any organization; as it significantly contributes to a positive corporate image. Therefore, the role of leaders in ensuring that all stakeholders abide by ethical standards through promoting an ethical corporate culture is indeed the most plausible and viable recourse.
Works Cited
Frei, Frances X., Robin J. Ely and Laura Winig. "Zappos.com 2009: Clothing, Customer Service, and Company Culture." 27 June 2011. Harvard Business School. http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/pl/19344106/19344299/d8f6d8509c8f40db4e7a19c992070761. 8 June 2013.
Powell, Elizabeth A. "Leadership Presence and the Courage to Speak." 12 February 2012. University of Virginia Darden School Foundation. http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/pl/19344106/19344254/53023dda1bd7fb9d380868120b5d18e1. 8 June 2013.
Schwartz, Mark S. "Developing and sustaining an ethical corporate culture: The core elements." 2013. Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/pl/19344106/19344305/dddbae51e11c92ba58e7d9451297a249. 9 June 2013.
