Leadership Versus Managing

In order for UWEAR and PALADENIM to have a successful merger, both Theresa and Mike must fully understand their roles in management. Theresa and Mike will need to know the differences between managing and leading that will help build the foundation on which their merger will perform. Managers are individuals who will enforce the policy of the company, in terms of carrying out the structure, rules, deadlines and the efficiency of employees (Rosenstein, 2008). Leaders, on the other hand, are those who create the vision for the company, while using creativity and passion to ensure individuals are inspired and able to contribute to the goal (Paulden, 2015).

Effective Leadership Approaches

There are a few leadership approaches that will best suit the merger of UWEAR and PALADENIM. The first approach would be transformative leadership. A transformative leadership approach is one where leaders are inspiring to their employees, allowing them to think critically and creatively (Lazzari, 2018). This type of leadership could be used in the merger because it will allow employees to come up with creative ways to integrate the each of the products manufactured by the companies.

The next leadership approach that could be beneficial to the merger is the hands-on participation leadership. This type of approach allows the leader to take on more of an employee role and participate while employees pitch ideas (Lazzari, 2018). Although, this decision-making process can be quite lengthy, the results that come out of this process tend to be more thorough and well-considered.

Transactional leadership is the final approach that could fit this merger. Of the 3 leadership approaches mentioned, this approach could prove to be the most beneficial. A transactional leadership style is considered to be straightforward with the main focus being on consistent results. In this approach, leaders are able to provide incentive in order for positive results to be obtained (Lazzari, 2018). These incentives are enough to make employees gain productive work habits, while allowing the leader to be focused on the “proven processes that produce consistent results” (Lazzari, 2018).

Kabacoff Research Findings

The findings of this study showed women being focused on production and attainment of results, while men focused on strategic planning and organizational vision. Women were also shown to rate higher on people-oriented leadership skills while men scored higher in the realm of business-oriented skills (Kabacoff, 1998). These findings will have positive implications on the merger between UWEAR and PALADENIM. While the merger will allow the companies to become one, Mike and Theresa will be able to use these findings to focus on separate entities of management. If Mike and Theresa are aware of these findings, they will be able to successfully use this knowledge to ensure a great merger.

Reflections

During my undergraduate years, I served as a Key Holder for Clark’s Shoes. This position was underneath the manager, being that if a manager was not present, I was the go to person. I would say my leadership approach was more of the hands-on participation leadership approach because I also had to sell products. I believe this leadership approach had positive implications because I was able to create “competition” among employees. This sense of competition was beneficial to the company because while we were focused on obtaining the most sales, the company was able to benefit by meeting goals that weren’t met with leaders who showed more of an autocratic leadership approach.