Leadership

Term Paper # 115948

Business > Management
Ethics

Leadership

An overview of the requirements of leaders in today's business world.

1,038 words () | 6 sources | APA | 2009 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper lists several positive traits and responsibilities that are necessary for leaders. The paper then posits that one of the leading issues that separates quality leaders and leadership from all the others could be the subject of business and personal ethics. The paper discusses how potential leaders need to ask whether they are being "right" or they are being "smart."

From the Paper:

"Compared with leadership responsibilities just a century ago, the potential definitions and requirements have changed. There were more family businesses back then, and leadership roles were passed down from one generation to another. Technology, computers, globalization: the Information Age- these have drastically changed both the qualities and the responsibilities of corporate leaders. And, what seems to be a fairly frequent excuse for some management decisions: the needs and desirers of shareholders and stakeholders. When there is a sort of shareholder revolt such as the ones that forced out the heads of Hewlett-Packard and Mattel (to name just two) then the very notion of leadership becomes a fragile bridge from investors to the company itself."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bennis, W. and Nanus, B.: (1997) "Leading Others, Managing Yourself" Leaders New York: HarperCollins Books
Ferrell, O.C. and Gardiner, Gareth: (1991) In Pursuit of Ethics: Tough Choices in the World of Work Springfield IL: Smith Collins Co.
Hughes, R.L., Ginnett, R. C. and Curphy, G. J. : (2002)Leadership Enhancing the Lessons of Experience Boston MA: McGraw-Hill Irwin
Truman, H S. "Definition of Leadership" (1946) Oxford English Dictionary
Kinsley, M. (2004) "In Defense of Excess" TIME Magazine, vol. 163, no. 11, March 15, 2004 p 67.