Ashford University Leadership Theories Questions
Answer the 2 questions below and reply to each student.
Student Reply must be over 200 words.
Make sure all student replies you start it with Hello (Student Name),
Please upload each question in different word documents.
Question 1:
Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read Chapter 9 of The Leadership Experience.
The Saddle Creek Deli had been so successful that Richard Purvis, owner and manager, hired a manager so that he could devote time to other business interests. He selected Paul McCarthy, whose prior experience included the supervision of a small restaurant. McCarthy was paid a straight salary plus a percentage of the amount he saved the business monthly, based on the previous month’s operating expenses. All other employees were paid a straight hourly rate. McCarthy single-handedly decided to initiate a cost-saving program designed to increase his earnings. He changed the wholesale meat and cheese suppliers, lowering both his cost and product quality. He reduced the size and portion of everything on the menu. He discontinued the one-dollar meals for employees and eliminated the employee discount. Frustrated, the employees streamed out of the meeting and quietly grumbled about the changes. Tension mounted and resentment toward McCarthy grew.
How do you think Purvis could improve communications between McCarthy and the employees? Be specific in your recommendations.
Student Reply 1: Diana Squire
The fundamental principles of leadership bar any individual who purports to be a leader from engagement in any form of unethical practices (Nancy, 2017). In this regard, leadership calls for total commitment towards the goals and objectives of the business unit without creating interference of vested or conflicts of interest within oneself. Since the stint of Marcus as the managing director of the Saddle Creek Deli, the firm has registered significant progress in terms of good profits, the satisfaction of customer needs and taking care of the overall welfare of the employees (Richard, 2018). However, when Paul McCarthy is appointed to take over the leadership of the business, things go contrary to the wishes of everyone. Despite having a prior wealth of experience in management and handling of the workforce from, he missed the mark in management and process improvement. An example, lowering the quality of the product so as the company to save a significant cost is uncalled lead the firm to lose its competitive edge (Richard, 2018).
In my view, Purvis as the owner of the business would do a couple of things to improve communications between McCarthy and the employees. First, Purvis would encourage good leadership to Paul McCarthy by involving everyone in an open, candid, fearless conversation which is essential for finding the best, most practical way of doing and ending wrangles. Giving a chance for emergency meetings with employees assist in solving unnecessary disputes that would ensue in the real or work (Richard, 2018). Second, organizing employees into a working group and each group leader to air the grievances would also ensure that communication is seamless and workers are not left out in critical decisions made within the farm. Employees are major stakeholders in any organization because they influence direct company performance (Richard, 2018). Also, they reflect the company image depending on all they coordinate the firms’ operations and the outer image they portray. Therefore, consultative forums are prerequisite to see to it that the welfare of the employees is catered.
References
Nancy Adler (2017). Leadership, Power, and Influence: The art of Leadership, McGill University, Pp 4-89.
Richard L. Daft (2018). The leadership experience, Owen graduate school of management Vanderbilt University, 7th edition, Pp 2-150.
Student Reply 2: Nancy Resmini
The Saddle Creek Deli had been so successful that Richard Purvis, owner and manager, hired a manager so that he could devote time to other business interests. He selected Paul McCarthy, whose prior experience included the supervision of a small restaurant. McCarthy was paid a straight salary plus a percentage of the amount he saved the business monthly, based on the previous month’s operating expenses. All other employees were paid a straight hourly rate. McCarthy single-handedly decided to initiate a cost-saving program designed to increase his earnings. He changed the wholesale meat and cheese suppliers, lowering both his cost and product quality. He reduced the size and portion of everything on the menu. He discontinued the one-dollar meals for employees and eliminated the employee discount. Frustrated, the employees streamed out of the meeting and quietly grumbled about the changes. Tension mounted and resentment toward McCarthy grew.
How do you think Purvis could improve communications between McCarthy and the employees? Be specific in your recommendations.
Well Mr. Purvis
