Leadership Theories

Leadership Theories

Trait Theories

Richard Branson plays a charismatic leader. He always understands his employees and communicates with them effortlessly by maintaining their motivation and encouraging them with positive feedback. He sets the self-confidence and self-esteem of every individual at a different level. For him, communication is the main factor in the success of Virgin Group. The Virgin Group takes their employees into consideration and provides them with every fact and figure, as the executives have. Richard Branson takes other factors into consideration also which come in under these theories i.e. self-confidence, ambition, cooperativeness, energy, and goals-achievement-oriented.

 

Behavioral Theories

The Managerial Grid: Richard Branson learned that there is a two-way relationship between its employees and production. He exhibits “Team Management Behaviour”, which clearly defines that he is committed to his employees. This behavior will help him build a friendly relationship with his employees, leading to a better association of trust and respect.

 Contingency Theories

The Virgin Group practices the “Visionary Model” of leadership.  This model focuses on the idea, training, and communication with its employees. Richard Branson always had success in his practicing styles and here also he succeeded in helping his employees to become more assertive and self-reliant in performing their tasks more fruitfully. He is one of the powerful visionary leaders who have confidence in modernization and change-innovation and have a strong vision for the upcoming future. With this vision and the focus on communication and training its subordinates, he successfully empowers his subordinates by helping them to become self-sufficient and confident in doing their work. He motivates his employees to innovate and move ahead of their competitors.

 Situational Leadership

Path-goal Theory: Whether it’s internal / team goals or organizational goals, Richard Branson was always eager in achieving those goals with high motivation, and promising in controlling all the coming outcomes by him. He always focuses on employee performance and motivates them by conducting training and development programs. He gives strong importance to organizational goals rather than the personal goals of every individual. According to my experience, leadership style changes as the situation changes. Employees and environmental contingencies take place as the situation and behavior change.

 Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational Theory

Leaders should have the ability to develop a “maturity style” when it comes to adaptations. Richard Branson has the potential in motivating their employees and encouraging them to perform tasks assigned to them. He portrays Selling Characteristics, despite the fact, that there will be a high risk in building a relationship with his employees. He follows a servant-leadership style which shows an obligation between tasks and his employees. He spends quality time with his subordinates in order to motivate them and assist them in improving their performances.