Working with and Leading People Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Working with and Leading People - Assignment Example In the absence of effective leadership, companies suffer stagnation in growth and development because there becomes lack of focus for operational growth (Guo and Sanchez, 2005). It is not surprising therefore that Thomas Cook places so much emphasis on leadership and the management of its companies all across the globe. An important aspect of leadership has always been the kind of interpersonal relationship that exists between the leader and his subordinates and how the leader is able to influence subjects to buy into his visions and plans to join hands in the business growth agenda. Once this process takes place, it is said that the act of working with and leading people has been activated (Lutgen-Sandvik, 2010). The approaches different leaders use in working with and leading people are referred to as leadership styles. In the following answers some of the key leadership styles and other leadership related issues about Thomas Cook Group are dealt with into detail. 1. The skills and attributes that Thomas Cook values and cherishes are directly rooted into the collective culture and climate of business operations, practiced within the company. For instance for the fact that the company operates an overseas staffing system, it requires of its managers and leaders to possess the attitude and skill of adaptability to different culture and environments. This of course includes the ability of these leaders and managers to have an interpersonal relationship skill that will make them get along easily with international clients, stakeholders and customers. Apart from adaptability to different cultures and environments, and interpersonal relationship skills, the company also cherishes and values a sense of personal development skills within its managers and leaders. Generally, Thomas Cook has a vision that ensures that employees are able to gain self development and empowerment. So apart from the organized training and induction program for its new staff, the company ex pects that employees will have the self zeal to push themselves up to the ladder. Finally, given the volume of people that managers and leaders work with, the company requires organizational skills among all its leaders and managers. 2. The leadership style encouraged for practice at Thomas Cook is the democratic leadership style, which encourages the involvement of subjects in most decision making processes. Again, this leadership style is preferred and encouraged as part of the organizational culture of the company. It would be noted that Thomas Cook has a culture of giving so much freedom to its employee base into controlling some levels of business operations affair within the company. It is not surprising such events as massive as the organization of fund raisers can be left in the hands and care of employees. Democratic leadership is therefore the most effective style of leadership to ensure that subjects learn directly under their leaders, whiles having their actions and init iations totally checked (Guo and Sanchez, 2005). There are other leadership styles that allow subjects to take charge of decision making such as democratic leadership but this leadership style known as the laissez faire leadership style give too much freedom to subject, not making it ideal for new employees and others whose skills and knowledge have not been adequately tested. 3. The major different between leadership and management is directly linked to the tasks given to leaders and managers respectively. Whereas managers have been said to have the role of organization and coordination, leaders are said to be inspirers and motivators (Lutgen-Sandvik, 2010).