Research Log 3

Research Log 3
13 Research Worksheet: Lack of Leadership and Management Skills Lack of Leadership and Management Skills Overview of the Issue Quality management, leadership Quality management and leadership are running an institution or business. When leaders lack these skills, they cannot discharge their duties of promoting organizational culture, motivating staff, coaching, and providing direction to the employees. This may result in morale deterioration, resulting in less productivity and high employee turnover. Field of Study: Business Administration Issue: Lack of Leadership and Management Skills Source 1 Bibliographic Information Gelles, D., & Goldberg, E. (2021, December 31). ‘We threw out any plans we had’: C.E.O.s are forced to embrace uncertainty. The New York Times – Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/31/business/ceos-pandemic-leadership.html How the Source was Retrieved The article is from the New York Times, accessed through the internet. Key Terms Used in the Search Adjusting Leadership and Management skills in Uncertain Situations Exigence Addressed Competent leaders need to be ready to deal with uncertain situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. New Key Terms Leadership during a pandemic, certainty, strategic plans, quiet-quitting. Important Quotes The article notes that the COVID-19 pandemic changed the approach that leaders govern their institutions by using a new system that embraces uncertainty in the workplace. The article notes, “Business leaders are trained to ‘shoot, move and communicate.’ But the pandemic has called on them to rewrite the leadership playbook” (Gelles & Goldberg, 2021). The article also recognizes the importance of certainty in an institution as it makes the leader plan for the future. It notes, “Certainty instills leaders with the confidence they need to invest…” (Gelles & Goldberg, 2021). Generally, as the article acknowledges the importance of certainty in businesses, it encourages leaders to as well embrace and be ready for uncertain situations. Competent leaders should be able to adjust their skills to handle such situations. Connection to other sources The source gives background information on the importance of leaders and managers in being prepared for uncertainties. Just like Source 2, this source assesses the readiness of the managers and leaders in tackling world pandemics such as COVID-19. Source 2 Bibliographic Information McArdle, T., & Bolton, L. M. (2022, June 17). Four Top Workplaces chiefs offer lessons on crisis management. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/17/top-workplaces-leaders/ How the Source was Accessed The source is an article from The Washington Post and was found through the Google search engine. Key Search Terms Used Role of leadership and management skills in times of crisis Exigence the Source Seeks to Address The article assesses how large and small firms were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and how their leaders dealt with it. It also assesses the impact of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine on the respective firms. It assesses the great resignation that came along with the pandemic and skills in managing a hybrid workplace. The article also assesses strategies that the company will use to handle such crises. New Key Terms The Great resignation, turnovers, hybrid workplace, telecommuting, inflation. Important Quotes One of the leaders in the article notes that the turnover rates were high during the COVID-19 pandemic as the workers reflected on what really matters to them; their health. He says, “…numbers [of turnovers] rise as staff reflected on what is important in their lives” (McArdle & Bolton, 2022). The article also highlights the qualities of a good leader as “…not only for managing their organizations through crises but keeping their staff happy and confident in their leadership at the same time” (McArdle & Bolton, 2022). Connection to Other Sources The article connects with Source 1 as it addresses how leadership skills and qualities are necessary in times of crisis. It addresses the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, assessing their effectiveness and how competent leaders and managers can handle it. Source 3 Bibliographic Information Zitron, E. (2021, September 17). Say goodbye to your manager. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/manager-work-life-changes/620096/ How the Source was Found This is an article from The Atlantic magazine, accessed through the Google search engine. Key Words Used to Find the Source Lack of leadership and management skills – The Atlantic. Exigence the Source Seeks to Address The article educates on how business managers have become somewhat useless in running significant firms. It also calculates the cost of employing many managers in a firm versus productivity and realizes that fewer managers can meet the same work. It also gives guidelines on what managers need to do to ensure that they carry out their duties effectively and contribute positively to the company’s productivity. New Key Terms Productivity, bureaucracy and corporates. Important Quotes The author analyzes data from previous studies and notes that employing fewer managers would be economical as they result in more productivity. He writes, “reducing the number of managers usually led to more productivity and profit” (Zitron, 2021). The author also highlights that managers need to put in more effort to assure firms that they actually work. Zitron (2021) points out “…that managers, in other words, will need to start proving that they do something.” Connection to other Sources The article connects with the others as it assesses the consequences of leadership and management that are not competent. It acknowledges the importance of having the necessary skills and qualities when managing or being a leader in a business firm. Source 4 Bibliographic Information University of Wolverhampton. (2021, September 6). The importance of leadership and people management skills. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://online.wlv.ac.uk/the-importance-of-leadership-and-people-management-skills/ How the Source Was Found The article was found through the Google search engine on the website of the University of Wolverhampton. Key Search Terms Used to Find the Article Leadership and management qualities – university publication. Exigence Addressed by the Source The source examines the qualities and skills a good leader and a manager should possess. It also assesses the differences that exist between a leader and a manager in a business setting. A good leader should show qualities of compassion and empathy, trust, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, and sound decision-making, which are discussed in detail by the author. The articles also assess the implications of lacking these skills. New Key Terms Digital transformation and organizational strategy. Important Quotes The article points out that lacking the necessary qualities and skills affects not only the business team members but also the hiring process. The author says, “…lacking these qualities both affects the current team members and the ability to hire top talent” (University of Wolverhampton, 2021). The article also notes a significant difference between a leader and a manager, which it discusses in detail. This notion is introduced when the writer suggests, “Though they sound like the same thing and may be employed for the same role, there is a big difference between being a leader and being a manager” (University of Wolverhampton, 2021). How the Source Relates to the Others The source provides background information on the roles of managers and leaders in a firm. It also provides a check on what competent managers and leaders should have. It counters the prospects of lack of leadership and managerial skills tackled by the other sources. Reflection Additional Issues and Perspectives Realized The sources have revealed that it is essential for managers and leaders to be ready to deal with issues that may come up in their line of work. Source 1 has referred to such issues as ‘uncertainty’ (Gelles & Goldberg, 2021), while Source 2 has used the term ‘crisis’ for such issues (McArdle & Bolton, 2022). How the Sources Agree with Each Other All the sources agree that for a business or firm to run well, there is a need for good leadership and management skills. They all suggest that lacking such qualities and skills negatively affects the company’s progress. How the Resources are Providing Current Background Information The sources are recent, as they were published as from last year. They address current issues in society, such as ‘management issues flowing world crisis such as the war in Ukraine’ as per Source 2 by McArdle and Bolton in 2022 and the C0VID-19 pandemic in both Source 1 and 2. How the Topic is Connected to Field of Study Leadership and management are part of the disciplines covered in the field of business administration. Therefore, a fundamental construct of the discipline is assessing how the qualities and skills of leadership and management affect the running of firms. For instance, source 4 analyzes the characteristics and skills required for sound management and leadership. University of Wolverhampton (2021) lists the required qualities and skills as “…qualities of compassion and empathy, trust, good communication skills, problem-solving skills, and good decision-making….” This information is essential in business administration as it can determine whether an entity’s leadership or management is up to the standards. How the Sources will be Used in Establishing Exigence in the Literature Review As the information in these sources is credible and current, the sources will be used as reference material. They will be used to emphasize the positive contribution of quality management and leadership skills. References Gelles, D., & Goldberg, E. (2021, December 31). ‘We threw out any plans we had’: C.E.O.s are forced to embrace uncertainty. The New York Times – Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/31/business/ceos-pandemic-leadership.html McArdle, T., & Bolton, L. M. (2022, June 17). Four Top Workplaces chiefs offer lessons on crisis management. The Washington Post. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/06/17/top-workplaces-leaders/ University of Wolverhampton. (2021, September 6). The importance of leadership and people management skills. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from https://online.wlv.ac.uk/the-importance-of-leadership-and-people-management-skills/ Zitron, E. (2021, September 17). Say goodbye to your manager. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/09/manager-work-life-changes/620096/
Research Log 3
12 Research Log 2 Research Log 2 Issue: Leadership and Management of Companies during the Covid 19 Pandemic The Covid 19 crisis took the world by surprise in late 2019, with many large and small companies embracing the new reality with great optimism. However, there had to be changes in how the firms handled their businesses. Many companies switched to working remotely, while others decided to cut down the number of employees they had. Leadership and management skills were crucial constructs that kept things running, especially in remote work. This worksheet will attempt to find credible sources of how leadership and management skills were essential in managing some companies in the United States. Current Research Question How did companies adjust their leadership and management skills to ensure smooth working during the Covid 19 pandemic? Source 1 Bibliographic Information: Apple Statement. (2020, March 13). Apple’s COVID-19 response. Apple Newsroom (Kenya). https://nr.apple.com/d2i8z689x0 Where the Article was found The article was accessed from the internet by searching through the Google search engine. Key Words Used in the Search How major firms responded to the Covid 19 pandemic. Exigence the Article Addresses The article is a press statement from the Apple Company on how they responded to the rising cases of the Covid 19 pandemic. The article highlights giving back to the community by giving donations amounting to about $15 million by the time the statement was being released (Apple Statement, 2020). It also addresses the order of operations in their stores and services. It also addresses the users and customers of its brand and urges them to stay safe from the virus by observing the health guidelines recommended by health agencies. This is a press statement by the CEO, Tim Cook, guiding the employees, customers, partners, and the general public on how to carry themselves during the pandemic. It reflects the role of a leader during a pandemic. New Key Terms Learnt Adapting, Responding, Giving back, Pandemic. Important Quotes The CEO is grateful and shows qualities of appreciating employees for good work done. He says, “I also want to thank our operations team and partners for their remarkable efforts…” (Apple Statement, 2020). In another instance, he points out, “I want to thank our extraordinary Retail teams for their dedication…” (Apple Statement, 2020). The CEO also shows resilience and determination in dealing with the issue when he says, “Apple has chosen to meet big challenges. And it’s how we’ll rise to meet this one, too” (Apple Statement, 2020). Connection to other Sources The press statement shows the role of leaders when there is a crisis. It shows that leaders should always remain optimistic and reassure their customers and employees. Source 2 Bibliographic Information: McKinsey & Company. (2020, March 16). Leadership in a crisis: Responding to the coronavirus outbreak and future challenges. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/leadership-in-a-crisis-responding-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak-and-future-challenges Where the Source was retrieved from The article was retrieved from the website of McKinsey & Company’s website, accessed through searching the Google search engine. Key Words Used in the Search Leadership and Management of Firms during the Covid 19 Pandemic Exigence addressed by the Source The consultancy company assesses the main strategies it used to manage the Covid 19 pandemic. It notes that it used five main strategies that proved to be successful in dealing with the crisis, strategies that can also be used in future challenges. They include effective communication, empathy, wise decision-making during uncertainties, optimistic and calm leaders, and organizing a network of teams to respond to a particular sort of crisis. Key Terms Learnt Networking, uncertainty, jamais vu. Important Quotes This source has various quotes that can be used to educate leaders on how to deal with a crisis. For instance, the author says, “Pause to assess and anticipate, then act,” a quote that explains how to manage a situation. It also recognizes the importance of prioritizing employee safety during a crisis when the author writes: “Deal with the human tragedy as a first priority…” (McKinsey & Company, 2020). How this Source is connected to Other Sources The article explains strategic ways of dealing with business crises. It champions formal leadership qualities and managerial skills. Source 3 Bibliographic Information: World Economic Forum. (2021, October 4). 5 ways the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the role of leaders. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/5-ways-the-pandemic-is-changing-the-role-of-leaders/ How the Source was retrieved The Source was accessed through the website of the World Economic Forum, which was retrieved through the Google Search engine. Key words Used in Searching the Source The role of leaders and managers of companies during the Covid 19 pandemic Exigence Addressed by the Source The source addresses how the pandemic has sparked a change in perspective in how institutions are perceived as well as the employees, specifically the managers and leaders. After assessing how competent leaders and managers handled challenges during the pandemic, the article provides insights on how such leaders can reframe their role in organizations to deal with challenges in the future. The article highlights strategies such as viewing an individual employee as a whole and not part of a larger workforce as every individual has a specific role in the company, leaders assuming the role of sociologists, promoting motivation, well-being, and psychological safety, ensuring equitable experiences among employees and lastly, providing insight over collected data. Key Words Learnt Corporate governance, hierarchal assessment, agile governance and performance assessment. Important Quotes from the Source The statement that “The role of leadership is to create psychologically safe spaces for employees to be able to speak freely and bring their whole selves to work,” shows the functions of the leaders and managers in an institution to promote a healthy environment in the workplace to enable the employees to work effectively at all times (World Economic Forum, 2021). The source notes that leaders should always consider that other factors beyond their work environments greatly influence the employees. This is seen when the author states, “Leaders must shift their mindset to acknowledge that employees’ experience goes beyond work” (World Economic Forum, 2021). How the Source Connects to the Others Just like the previous source, the article explains strategies that can be used to manage crises such as Covid 19 pandemic. It advocates for proper leadership skills. Source 4 Bibliographic Information BMJ. (2021, May 13). COVID-19: Global response was too slow and leadership absent, report finds. The BMJ. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1234 How the Source was found The source was accessed through the internet by searching using the Google search engine. Key Words Used in the Search How Poor Leadership and Management Worsened the Covid 19 Crisis Exigence the source addresses The source is a report conducted by a health advocacy group, BMJ. The report seeks to establish why the Covid 19 crisis spread quickly and affected many people within a short period of time. The report demonstrates that the health agencies and other agencies responsible for addressing the issue lacked proper leadership qualities, contributing to the worsening situation. New Key Word Stark assessment Important Quotes from the Source The reports show that weak leadership led to the crisis of the Covid 19 pandemic becoming worse more quickly and affecting the whole world. The report makes critical conclusions such as: “A crisis can expose weak leaders” and “The COVID-19 disaster is a crisis of mismanagement and bad leadership…” which would be very key in researching the topic chosen (BMJ, 2021). How it connects with the Other Sources The source provides crucial information on why the Covid 19 pandemic effect was heavy. It also reflects on the implications of bad leadership in organizations. Reflection Key Words and how they vary with Source Empathy is addressed in sources 1 and 3. However, while source 1 is used as a motivating tool for the employees, in the 3 it is used as a tool meant to understand the employees and their needs during challenges and crises. Type of genres used Source 1 is a press statement, sources 2 and 3 are blogs, and the last source is a report. All the sources address how Covid 19 affected the management of major businesses in the US. Similar or different Perspectives All the sources agree that leaders and managers need to work swiftly and diligently during a crisis so as to overcome them. In source 4, the report shows the negative consequence of poor leadership. Audiences addressed Source 1 addressed a mixed audience as it is a press statement; the employees and the public. As sources 2 and 3 are blogs, they are meant for the public, especially those in business administration. The last source is a report presented to the public and the relevant agencies, unearthing why the Covid 19 pandemic almost went out of hand. How the Topic is connected to Field of Study The Covid 19 pandemic affected many businesses, leading to significant losses and the closure of some companies. This is just an example of a crisis that may affect how businesses are conducted. Learning how to manage such a crisis effectively is crucial in business administration. References Apple Statement. (2020, March 13). Apple’s COVID-19 response. Apple Newsroom (Kenya). https://nr.apple.com/d2i8z689x0 BMJ. (2021, May 13). COVID-19: Global response was too slow and leadership absent, report finds. The BMJ. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n1234 McKinsey & Company. (2020, March 16). Leadership in a crisis: Responding to the coronavirus outbreak and future challenges. https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/leadership-in-a-crisis-responding-to-the-coronavirus-outbreak-and-future-challenges World Economic Forum. (2021, October 4). 5 ways the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the role of leaders. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/5-ways-the-pandemic-is-changing-the-role-of-leaders/