The success, growth, and development of an organization is high determined by the role played by its leaders. the development of an organizations vision, mission, goals, and objectives are made possible through leadership. However, leaders who portray effective leadership in their key roles will be influential in maintaining the quality standards that define their brand reputation. This means that the culture of the organizations is also defined by leadership in the long run. The leadership behavior and competence have reliable association with association adequacy and execution (Bolman and Deal 2014). The authoritative culture additionally assumes critical job in creating and forming the initiative style. Leaders are involved in influencing the employees and the supporting staff towards the goals and objectives of the firm. Moreover, effective leaders do not only influence their employees but impact their performance and increase it to the highest potential with available tools and methods at their disposal which in the long run improves product service delivery and overall performance of the organization. Additionally, high ranking leaders such as executives or senior board members should always mirror the goals and objectives of the firm regardless of the situations and organization is facing (Bolden 2016,p 156).
In relation to this context Darwin Smith, the then CEO of Kimberly-Clark was an exceptional leader whose leadership was a level five. Throughout his years in the firm, he has illustrated a perfect example of the leadership style and qualities that should be emulated to achieve growth and success of an organization (Ciulla 2017). Darwin Smith was able to transform the organization which when he took over it had already gained numerous loses in the markets that saw its value drop be 36%. Darwin turned this company from its bad situation to a great historic success through effective leadership. Therefore this report will evaluate and analyze the leadership case study on Darwin smith leaderships as the CEO of Kimberly-Clark through strategic questions that will ensure a deeper meaning and depiction of how effective leadership can result to the growth and development of an organization (Le 2015)
Darwin Smith the then CEO of Kimberly-Clark Throughout his years in the firm, he has illustrated a perfect example of the leadership style and qualities that should be emulated to achieve growth and success of an organization. Darwin Smith was able to transform the organization which when he took over it had already gained numerous loses in the markets that saw its value drop by 36%. Darwin turned this company from its bad situation to a great historic success through effective leadership (Smith et al .2016) Therefore, this means that Darwin leadership style was cemented by intriguing qualities which spearheaded his vision for a successful organization, these qualities include;
Effective decision-making capabilities- this leadership quality simply illustrate the ability of a leader to identify and exploit opportunities that will benefit the firm in the long run. Darwin Smith is able to demonstrate this by strategically changing the business model and operations of the firm by shifting out of the paper products market into the consumer products, such as selling some K-C mills. Darwin was able to strategically identify that the initial business was the reason the firm was performing poorly (Sousa and van Dierendonck 2017). Therefore, the move to the new market was proved to be a wise choice, moreover, he made further investments from the proceeds earned in strategic firms and brands such as Huggies and Kleenex which further pushed the organization to its current success and strong reputation
Commitment and passion – This leadership quality simply illustrates the ability of a leader to be able to fully give his or her all to the core purpose of the success of an organization in the long run. Such a leadership quality further insinuates that a leader is concerned with from employees and ensure their performance is at its highest potential. Darwin Smith was able to illustrates this quality throughout his decades of leadership in the firm. Despite being diagnosed with cancer where he was told he could live for a while, maybe a year or so, he was committed to ensure that he will live a legacy of converting the company to it greatest performance level and success (Zehir et al. 2014)
Delegation and Empowerment- this leadership qualities tends to focus on the key aspects of empowering employees of key role and duties to perform towards the goal and objectives of the firm. It is essential for leader to focus on key responsibilities of the firm and leave the rest to the employees and supporting staff (Bourne 2016). Micromanaging of employees and subordinates may prove to be risky as it will lead to lack of trust and the leaders will not firmly focus on the key issues at hand. Darwin is able to demonstrate this leadership quality through building straight within the organization (McCaffery 2018). He was able to improve and redefine corporate goals moreover he polished the leadership groups effectively by winnowing those employees who did not compliment or sim to fit with the intended objectives and goals while he constantly promoted those who did. This imposed reward system he used to empower employees increase their productivity, in the long run, emulating the success achieved in the years
Creativity and Innovation – This leadership quality is able to distinguish between a leader and its follower. Therefore, in order to be productive and relevant in an ever-changing business environment, effective leaders are required to be innovative and creative at the same time. Creative thinking and constant innovation crowned with effective decision making and empowerment is what makes an organization to stand out from its competitors. Darwin is both creative and innovative as illustrate in the case study, he is able to identify potential investment points by revisiting the business model and operations changing it to consumer products which proved to be far essential and rewarding over the years. He focused the entire business from paper mils which he deemed to be dooming the potential of the firm within its business environment. He implored the business through strategic investment on Kleenex and Huggies disposable diapers, that would compete against Procter and Gambles’ Pampers and be among the best firms intentionally and leading in the product market (Gehrke and Claes 2017).
Loyalty- effective leaders are able to comprehend that genuine dependability is equal. Along these lines, they express that steadfastness in substantial ways that advantage the individual from their groups. Genuine reliability is guaranteeing that all colleagues have the preparation and assets to carry out their employment. It’s going to bat for colleagues in emergency and struggle. Darwin’s commitment and passion towards the firm for decade illustrated explicit loyalty. His precise buildup of a strong community within the community and rewarding and empowering his employees with appropriate promotions that will spearhead the success of the firm was pivotal. Despite the lack of confidence from the board he still stayed on point regardless of the current situation of the firm which he drove to success used as a learning curve by merging and large organization other importance of loyalty. It is essentially reciprocated by the members of the staff as well as the consumers which plays a major role in improving and stabilizing the growth and development of the firm (Gabriel 2015).
This is certifiably not another discussion, not another opening discourse question, and not another title for an article or area in a book. Savvy authors frequently support with a “clearly both” reaction, taking note of that there are unquestionably natural personality traits in leaders such as Darwin smith but likewise taking note of that there has been an improvement and development on the matter. Maybe the discussion started when Thomas Carlyle detailed the “great man theory” to portray leaders who drastically formed and affected society. He contended that pioneers with mind-blowing initiative ability and characteristics ascend to the best and affect individuals around them. The hypothesis, created in the 1840s, gave the feeling that great leaders are born and society is confirmed to them. On the off chance that we credit to the “great man theory,” at that point, one is either born an extraordinary leader or not (Waldman and Bowen 2016, p 357).
Experts and researchers reacted that there is no genuine information to help the “great man theory” and that leaders are made by social orders more than leaders shape social orders. leaders are results of their surroundings, of the general population encompassing them and sustaining them. Regardless of the overall myth that most of the level five leaders are born, Darwin Smith doesn’t fit the category although he is an exceptional leader in the long run. He was placed there by a string of decision to take over a failing organization regardless of the drops of confidence portrayed by some of the board members despite their decision. In fact, the Kimberly-Clark director had to punch back his on his confidence that he lacked the pivotal qualification to properly manage the job that he was chosen to do. This means that Darwin had a strategic choice proving that he was a great leader despite the lack of confidence and spirit at the initial stages. Despite being diagnosed with cancer where he was told he could live for a while, maybe a year or so, he was committed to ensure that he will live a legacy of converting the company to it greatest performance level and success (Adams et al. 2018)
He was able to boost his leadership qualities through identifying the problem that has been facing the organization and how to solve it once and for all, he is able to identify potential investment points by revisiting the business model and operations changing it to consumer products which proved to be far essential and rewarding over the years. He focused the entire business from paper mills which he deemed to be dooming the potential of the firm within its business environment. He implored the business through strategic investment on Kleenex and Huggies disposable diapers, that would compete against Procter and Gambles’ Pampers and be among the best firms intentionally and leading in the product market. Moreover, he was able to improve and redefine corporate goals moreover he polished the leadership groups effectively by winnowing those employees who did not compliment or sim to fit with the intended objectives and goals while he constantly promoted those who did. This imposed reward system he used to empower employees increase their productivity, in the long run, emulating the success achieved in the years. These activities and leadership qualities were gained due to the necessity of the current situation of the firm and the need steward the firm towards its goals and objectives, in the long run, therefore leaders are not born they are made.
An effective leader is known by his characteristics and the characteristics that mirror a genuine pioneer are extraordinary arbitrary highlights but rather all-around custom fitted attributes that make a more lead an outstanding one. The pecking order of authority brings up that there are five distinct levels of classifications that might be an impression of any leader and of them the level 5 is the most elevated amount that features initiative abilities. The nature of leadership portrayed by leaders in this category such as Darwin Smith is a paradoxical mix of furious will and individual humility. They are adamant and savage, however, they are very humble. Most of the level five leader would not even make the cover of a magazine or any business publication, they did not relay on charism to lead their organization. However, they are very ambitious when it comes to the interest of the organization in general, and they rarely allow their ego or personal issues affect the success of the organization (Storey 2016). Despite the fact that they achieve tangible results for their associations they never assume acknowledgment. They credit their momentous achievements to their kin, outer factors, and sheer good fortune. They are propelled just by the enormity for their associations. They anticipate that their associations will be shockingly better after they take off. Level 5 leaders show their wild will in guaranteeing sublime outcomes for their organizations. They assume the most vital job in changing their organizations that are just great, to incredible. When they are chosen about what to do to guarantee the best long-haul results, they will experience the procedure with steady determination. Level 5 leaders move benchmarks, construct continuing and extraordinary organizations against chances. smith moved toward becoming CEO of Kimberly-Clark in 1971 and confronted the merciless reality that the organization was simply below average, with a lot of its capital tied up in huge paper mills (Leavy 2016). Darwin Smith offered no fantastic vision, statement of purpose, huge acquisitions, or “hoopla-laden” change program. He basically scrutinized his key pioneers: “What could Kimberly-Clark be energetic about? What could the organization be best at on the planet? (Amanchukwu et al.2014)
Level 5 leaders have a “window” and a “mirror” way to deal with leadership approach as depicted in the case study At the point when things turn out badly, the level 5 leaders tend to look in the mirror and reprimand themselves for the missteps or inadequacy. At the point when things go right, the level 5 leaders watch out of the window and guarantee, everybody had a part in the achievement of the goals and objectives of the firm. The focal point of the organization would move toward becoming Kleenex and Huggies dispensable diapers, that would go up against Procter and Gambles’ Pampers. The objective was to escape the item’s market and concentrate more on the consumer goods market. When Smith resigned, Huggies had turned into the main offering expendable diaper and represented over $7 billion in yearly incomes for the organization. leaders must act strongly, yet acting strikingly is useless in the event that you miss the point. It is smarter to take care of business than be amazing.
managerial competence and effective decision making- this leadership skill simply illustrate the ability of a leader to identify and exploit opportunities that will benefit the firm in the long run. Darwin Smith is able to demonstrate this by strategically changing the business model and operations of the firm by shifting out of the paper products market into the consumer products, such as selling some K-C mills. Darwin was able to strategically identify that the initial business was the reason the firm was performing poorly. Therefore, the move to the new market was proved to be a wise choice, moreover, he made further investments from the proceeds earned in strategic firms and brands such as Huggies and Kleenex which further pushed the organization to its current success and strong reputation.
Creativity– This leadership skill is very crucial and is able to distinguish between a leader and its follower. Therefore, in order to be productive and relevant in an ever-changing business environment, effective leaders are required to be innovative and creative at the same time. Creative thinking and constant innovation crowned with effective decision making and empowerment is what makes an organization to stand out from its competitors. Darwin is both creative and innovative as illustrate in the case study, he is able to identify potential investment points by revisiting the business model and operations changing it to consumer products which proved to be far essential and rewarding over the years (Ewest 2017). He focused the entire business from paper mils which he deemed to be dooming the potential of the firm within its business environment. He implored the business through strategic investment on Kleenex and Huggies disposable diapers, that would compete against Procter and Gambles’ Pampers and be among the best firms intentionally and leading in the product market
Delegative- this leadership skill tends to focus on the key aspects of empowering employees of key role and duties to perform towards the goal and objectives of the firm. It is essential for leader to focus on key responsibilities of the firm and leave the rest to the employees and supporting staff. Micromanaging of employees and subordinates may prove to be risky as it will lead to lack of trust and the leaders will not firmly focus on the key issues at hand (DuBrin 2015). Darwin is able to demonstrate this leadership quality through building straight within the organization He was able to improve and redefine corporate goals moreover he polished the leadership groups effectively by winnowing those employees who did not compliment or sim to fit with the intended objectives and goals while he constantly promoted those who did. This imposed reward system he used to empower employees increase their productivity, in the long run, emulating the success achieved in the years
Positive and passionate – This simply illustrates the ability of a leader to be able to fully give his or her all to the core purpose of the success of an organization in the long run. Such a leadership quality further insinuates that a leader is concerned with from employees and ensure their performance is at its highest potential. Darwin Smith was able to illustrates this quality throughout his decades of leadership in the firm. Despite being diagnosed with cancer where he was told he could live for a while, maybe a year or so, he was committed to ensure that he will live a legacy of converting the company to it greatest performance level and success. Therefore, leader must always remain positive and passionate during their endeavors.
Integrity and humility – effective leaders are able to comprehend that genuine dependability is equal. Along these lines, they express that steadfastness in substantial ways that advantage the individual from their groups. Genuine reliability is guaranteeing that all colleagues have the preparation and assets to carry out their employment. It’s going to bat for colleagues in emergency and struggle (Paris et al.2015). Darwin’s commitment and passion towards the firm for decade illustrated explicit loyalty. His precise buildup of a strong community within the community and rewarding and empowering his employees with appropriate promotions that will spearhead the success of the firm was pivotal. Despite the lack of confidence from the board he still stayed on point regardless of the current situation of the firm which he drove to success used as a learning curve by merging and large organization other importance of loyalty. It is essentially reciprocated by the members of the staff as well as the consumers which plays a major role in improving and stabilizing the growth and development of the firm (Wanasika and Krahnke 2017)
The era of information has seen drastic improvement in technology and innovation. These improvements have made businesses today to be complex and full of numerous risks although rewarding. Therefore, there is need of quality leadership as portrayed by Darwin Smith in this context. However, through this perceptive, there is an intriguing query or research gap on the context on the availability of leadership qualities on leaders of today which would insinuate there its slightly possible in the long run. Contrary to the research opinion, Complexity of business and the volatility of the business environments demands these qualities with no apologies’ good example is a situation where there are several companies with similar resources at their disposal who have to maneuver around the market so as to gain a competitive advantage and remain relevant and dominant (Sethuraman and Suresh 2014). This situation is somehow similar to the scenarios in the case study which occurred several decades ago, the difference is the volatility of the business environments. leaders have different personalities which results to different approaches and tactics to succeed. The CEO of Tesla and the CEO of Facebook have different personalities and approaches to success but similar leadership qualities to Darwin. Therefore, it is possible to have the leadership qualities possessed by Darwin E. Smith today.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is evident from the paper that the success, growth, and development of an organization is high determined by the role played by its leaders. the development of an organizations vision, mission, goals, and objectives are made possible through leadership. However, leaders who portray effective leadership in their key roles will be influential in maintaining the quality standards that define their brand reputation as portrayed by Darwin Smith the then CEO of Kimberly-Clark. His qualities as an effective leader have been expounded on the paper illustrating how he was able to turn a company that was on the brink of collapse to one of the most profitable firms. His period in the firm for close to two decades proved to be a strategic decision for the board members regardless of some who were not quite sure how a man who has no skills or experience in the post will succeed.in relation to this context, the paper has also discussed the nature of the leadership which is level five (Rosenbach 2018). The nature of leadership portrayed by leaders in this category such as Darwin Smith is a paradoxical mix of furious will and individual humility. They are adamant and savage, however, they are very humble. Most of the level five leader would not even make the cover of a magazine or any business publication, they did not relay on charism to lead their organization (Binder 2016). However, they are very ambitious when it comes to the interest of the organization in general, and they rarely allow their ego or personal issues affect the success of the organization. Additionally, the skills required in this category have also been discussed concluding with the debatable remark suggesting that the leadership qualities possessed by Drawing smith can be possessed by leaders of today
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