Analysis of Leadership Styles and Behaviour
The two stories under consideration in this paper are curved out of the Play Merchant of Venice, written by prolific and world-beating playwright William Shakespeare first staged at about 1605 and since then, took the world by a storm; the other story is hived out of the Mad Men, an American television Period Drama Series created, directed and produced by award-winning and trend-blazing video writer and producer Matthew Weiner and was premiered on July 19, 2007 on the American Cable Network. It is also co- produced by Lionsgate Television. The Play Merchant of Venice features the love struck Antonio as the protagonist with Shylock, a conservative and selfish and spiteful Jewish, as the villain. Antonio, a Christian, takes a loan from Shylock to boost his shipping business and to get his merchandise ashore. He gives his pound of flesh as a consideration and security for the loan not knowing Shylock is on a revenge mission against him, a Christian. Antonio’s ship wrecks and his goods are allegedly hit by a storm at least that is the information he gets from Sellario. Shylock, not having been paid his dues in contractual time, goes for Antonio’s flesh. The Duke of Venice whose leadership this paper will scrutinize acts as the arbiter. Antonio’s wealthy heiress girlfriend, Portia, disguised as a man, acts as his lawyer. Portia wittingly prods Shylock to go for his pound of Antonio’s flesh without spilling any blood. Shylock is eventually punished by the Duke for seeking vengeance against an innocent citizen. On the other hand, Don Draper is the Creative Manager and Partner as well as Director at Sterling Cooper, a successful advertising company thanks to winning strategies adopted by draper and his shinning team. Draper uses his wit, charm and panache to win top clients for Sterling Copper. His leadership steers the company to great heights of productivity never experienced before in the history of Sterling.
Introduction
Although for times without number leadership has been extensively and variedly defined and the meaning applied by various scholars, theorists and social scientists to largely refer to the process of social influence, this paper seeks to slightly depart from arguably shallow depiction and establish a rather intimate depiction of the same drawing from the various leadership styles and roles adopted and assumed by various characters in fictional works as discussed hereinafter respectively. It loosely refers to the process of causing people to willingly, forcefully or consultatively do something or fallow a particular cause of action. This paper, in discussing the leadership styles of the leaders in fictional literary works, will first endeavour to explain, in depth, the various leadership styles adoptable and exercisable by mankind, in making people follow the said course. This book will discuss the leadership roles played by Don Draper in Mad Men Television Series and The Duke of Venice in William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.
General Overview
Leadership has inevitably and indispensably formed part of the life of every human being. No matter how much we try to avoid or keep away from politics and our politicians and abhor leadership witless and are allergic to discussions arising therefrom, the fact remains that even we at our individual and personal capacities subconsciously exercise leadership in our lives at one point or another if not always. The concept of leadership is as old as the history of mankind and has from time to time evolved and its understanding and definition broadened and refined with the change in the social, economic, religious and political circumstances and dispositions. It is during such transformation, that various leadership and management styles have emerged and have since been identified, marked, documented and their practice replicated in almost every setting to an extent that a leader in Morocco may unknowingly embrace a particular style practiced in Thailand, several miles away
The identification and isolation of leadership styles has served to instigate and propagate extensive research on the various and varied mix or blend of character traits that make good leaders and this character trait analysis has been going on for years on end. Beginning with Plato’s philosophical writing such as Republic deeply and aggressively exploring the possible and plausible answers to the question: ‘What qualities distinguish an individual as a leader?’ His extensive research was underpinned by the inherent recognition of the important role and function leadership plays in the society and its close nexus with particular and identifiable human character traits. This theory that was based on the understanding that leadership is premised on individual or personal attributes was referred to as “the Trait Theory of Leadership.” This theory was subsequently embraced and further explored by various scholars and social scientists such as Thomas Carlyle and Francis Galton with Carlyle singling out skills, talents and physical characteristics of previous leaders vide his work Heroes and Hero Worship. Meanwhile, Galton keenly and critically examined the most prominent and common qualities or character traits exhibited by families of the rich and powerful.. He basically explored all the degrees of family relationship-from first degree to second degree just to identify or establish a pattern. It is the works of these two great theorists that sparked great debate and further intense and more objective and less subdued discussions on the relationship among character traits, talent and skills with leadership capabilities. Plutarch also contributed immensely to the success of Plato’s research and finding. He postulated that there are basic fundamental person attributes of an individual that has a bearing, and predictably so, on his or her leadership abilities..
The works of Plato, Plutarch, Galton and Carlyle and the developments arising therefrom sparked great curiosity among other very prolific social science and sociology experts including Bird, Mann, Stogdill and others who, in rare departure from the research earlier done and after conducting a series of thorough qualitative reviews of the same, suggested that leadership had very little connection with character traits and that the uniformity exhibited by leaders in various settings was merely coincidental and had very little to show since leaders in particular situation may not necessarily fit the bill of leadership in other situations. Subsequent to their rather strange and confusing conclusion, it was generally held that leadership could not be characterised by an individual trait but could only be situational as an individual may be a leader and exercise leadership in one situation but not another. This finding also prompted further research and analysis as it appeared unsatisfactory and out of place. It is notable that the approach adopted and championed by the trio could have largely been affected by the socio-politico environment at that particular time-the Second World War.
The holding of the arguments of Bird, Man and Stogdill was only short lived as many theorists were convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that individual traits and talents as well as skills and disposition played a critical role in the pre-determination of the ability of an individual to make a good leader or succeed at leadership. Upon recovery from the effects of The Second World War, people, social scientists in particular reinvigorated and revamped the clamour to unearth the real meaning of leadership and to carefully investigate its nexus or close proximity with personal character trait just like Plato and Carlyle had postulated and reaffirmed.. It is indeed the research of the post world war that left an indelible mark in the history of the research on the relationship between trait and leadership capabilities. The trait theorists postulated that comprehensive qualitative analyses of previous leadership regimes depict uniformity in leadership traits and in particular those that led to success in the population led. It is this research that resulted in the classifiable leadership styles under consideration in this paper.
Discussion
Don Draper, Mad Men
Suave, charming, aggressive, authoritative, smooth, calculating and urbane are just but a few adjectives that can be used to describe the character that is Donald Francis aka Don Draper played award winning actor Jon Hamm. Don is the Creative Director and a partner at Sterling Cooper Pryce, a major player in the advertising, branding and marketing company along Madison Avenue. His commands great influence at the firm and his charisma and integrity, at least in business, is almost infectious-a fact that makes women drool and fall head over heels for him. He is independent and aggressively so- a personality trait that is arguably informed by his chilling background. His parents died and he was also somehow involved in the death of his brother- all realities he prefers to keep a distant. The consequence of the said occurrences nudges him to become accountable and responsible for his own destiny no matter how distasteful he finds it. He builds an aura of great discipline, at least in business again, and excels at almost every project and challenge the firm tosses his way. His dazzling and no-nonsense-I-mean-business personality makes clients shell out big money just to have him on their account. He natures, albeit subconsciously, the young executives who not only admire but also envy his suave, confident , poised and cool personality even in times of crisis. His leadership style is arguably democratic though he has very little patience for lack of clarity of thought or common sense. When three of his colleagues are tasked with coming up with a sale slogan for a cigarette manufacturing company, Don dismisses them but takes them back to the drawing board by asking them what would practically make the customer tick, buy and smoke cigarette even with the warning that the same kills and against the harsh background that lawsuits are being brought by cancer patients against their client and other cigarette manufactures.
Don Draper has almost all if not all the attributes of a democratic leader. Santa Clara University and Tom Peters classify democratic leaders as those possess and portray certain leadership traits including but not limited to: honest; imaginative; future-looking; competent; courageous; firm; open-minded; straightforward; intelligent and suave. Don Draper is admittedly an embodiment of the said character traits. His imaginativeness prompts him to be innovative and make timely and appropriate changes in his thinking, plans, and methods. He exhibits creativity by thinking of new and better ideas, goals and solutions to whichever problem he faces no matter how insurmountable it may seem. He is not only focused but also future-looking-he sets achievable goals and has a vision of the future not only of Sterling’s clients but also his team. He passionately ensures the vision must is owned throughout the organization. As an effective leader, Don envisions what they and their clients need, not want and focuses on how to get it. . Don is not only courageous but also straight speaking.
In spite of his obvious outward cynicism and arrogance, Don is depicted as having and upholding a strict code of personal ethos, insisting on utmost honesty and exhibits open chivalry to his subordinates. He is very protective of them, admonishing Campbell in the pilot about his rather rude and careless remarks to and about Peggy-his naïve secretary. During the episode "Six Month Leave," Don berates several juniors for mocking Freddy rather strange symptom of alcoholism. He also adheres and subscribes to a stricter code of ethics and professionalism in business and in particular, with many of his colleagues. In season 2 Don is infuriated at the idea of dropping smaller client-local Mohawk airlines in the hope of landing American Airlines-an idea he dismisses as rudely aggressive and selfish. He openly criticized the same as illogical and wittingly unwise and questioned the whole process and its generation. He also opposes the open and blatant misuse of an employee to land a client by prompting her to sleep with the manager.
The Duke of Venice
The leadership traits of the Duke of Venice do not come out quite as clear as Don Draper’s in The Movie Series-Mad Men. The Duke of Venice in Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice plays a very crucial leadership role in the administration of justice in Venice. He is charged with enamours task of ensuring adherence to the rule of law. His character traits come out quite clearly when Shylock, the antagonist brings a debt collection and breach of contract case before him. He has to carefully weigh the evidence adduced and arguments presented before him and make the most just and sound decision, tricky, isn’t it? There is however a catch to the case-it is complex and it involves blood. Antonio had taken a debt from Shylock, a Jew and used his pound of flesh as the guarantee or security. Being one of the toughest cases he has ever handled in the history of Venice, the Duke has to exercise leadership at its very best. Antonio has managed to procure the defence ser5vices of his girlfriend Portia, disguised as a male lawyer and ready to crash Shylock with the claws of justice. When the case finally comes before his the Duke exhibits leadership by plainly indicating that according to the laws of Venice, there was indeed a valid contract between Shylock and Antonio- Antonio made an offer to Shylock which Shylock accepted subject to Antonio accepting the considerations made by Shylock. The Duke cannot help Antonio; reason being that Shylock's legal contract is solid. The best the he can do (Duke) and which he does, is lecture Shylock on the value of mercy, which Shylock completely pays no attention to. The Duke even nudges Shylock to accept the debt awed him inclusive of interest but he pays no attention. He is driven by revenge and as such would go for nothing short of his contractual pound of flesh. Portia however swoops in to Antonio’s day by insisting that Shylock should and could only go for what he had entered into a contract for-the flesh of Antonio. There is however a catch. He has to cut the pound of flesh close to Antonio’s heart without spilling even a drop of blood.
The Duke eventually allows Shylock off the hook and spares his life after Portia, Antonio’s girlfriend turn-lawyer strikes a new deal with Shylock to bequeath the state all his wealth and allow his daughter Jessica marry a man she prefers, his religious background notwithstanding.
The Duke of Venice proves both in character and mannerisms that a leader ought to be intelligent, considerate, compassionate, caring, firm, deep-thinking and rational. He meted out Justice and ensured everyone came out a winner. Antonio’s life was saved and so was Shylocks.
It is notable that both leaders are not only visionary and democratic in their leadership styles, but they are also soaked in with, humour and poise and are as such considerably people-focused. They have deep insight and exhaust all possible democratic avenues before making any decision. They are both however, firm and do not tolerate anything or reasoning that does or tends to defy logic or the obvious.
Though much has not been said or revealed about the Duke of Venice as should have been, it is clear his leadership particular in the case is effective. However, the repeated and consistent excellence and perfection of Don Draper makes his more effective a leader compared to Shylock. He wafts his team in the wave of excellence and his company towards the direction of profitability.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the above discussed leaders have proved beyond any shadow of doubt that indeed personal traits have an undeniable bearing on the effectiveness of leadership and further that every leader must assume such positions of leadership on a platform of specific character traits, skills and competencies. Indeed Draper and the Duke have enviable leadership traits that serve to not only build their subjects but also serve to protect them, their lives and dignity.
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