Case “Sir Richard Branson, Chairman, Virgin Group, Ltd. ” Please respond to the following: Explain the specific statements in this case that appear to reflect individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, inspirational motivation and idealized influence. Individualized Consideration: This can be defined as the ability of a leader to pay special attention to the needs and problems of each individual person. Mr. Branson showed several examples of this by listening to people. He always has a note pad when he is having conversations with employees.
This makes employees feel very important and that there needs would be well attended to. He receives several emails and letters on a daily basis which he personally responds to and/or initiates some actions. Intellectual Stimulation: This is one of the components of transformational leadership. It can be defined as the degree to which the leader challenges assumptions, takes risks and solicits followers’ ideas. Leaders with this style stimulate and encourage creativity in their followers. This is shown by Mr. Branson decision to hold on holding onto the Virgin Mega Store retail outlets for too long despite the risks involved.
He believed that it is impossible to run a business without taking risks. Virgin would not be the company it is today if risks had not been taken. Mr. Branson experienced a few setbacks in this case study and he reflected back on a lesson that he learned from his mother “about not looking back in regret, but to move on”. Inspirational motivation: Leaders with inspirational motivation challenge followers with high standards, communicate optimism about future goals, and provide meaning for the task at hand. Based on the case study Mr. Branson motivates employees by interacting personally with them.
He promotes positive attitude towards everything and letting his employees know that there is no such thing as failure, only setbacks and that there are always learning experience from each set back to and the right attitude is to move on. Idealized Influence: This is another element of transformational leadership that. Leaders with idealized influence are a role model for high ethical behavior, instills pride, gains respect and trust of their employee. Mr. Branson is a well respected leader and he shows several notable characteristics of great leadership.
