A Comparative Analysis of Leadership Styles: Dictator vs. Diplomatic Leadership

This in-depth study delves into the realm of leadership, a pivotal facet of business and organizational success. Effective leadership is essential for fostering collaborative, high-performing teams and achieving desired results. However, leadership manifests in a myriad of styles, each with its unique traits and consequences. To comprehend the multifaceted nature of leadership, this study conducts a comparative analysis of two distinct leadership styles, namely Dictator Leadership and Diplomatic Leadership. Through the lens of these two leaders, this study seeks to shed light on the underlying principles and effects of different leadership approaches.

The first leadership style under scrutiny is Dictator Leadership, characterized by an authoritarian and often oppressive approach to leadership. This study assesses how this leadership style, exemplified by prominent business figure Donald Trump, influences the workforce and management teams. While Donald Trump may have achieved considerable success, his leadership approach has also led to strained relationships and employee dissatisfaction. This analysis scrutinizes the implications of a Dictator Leadership style on both high-ranking employees and front-line professionals.

In stark contrast, the study also explores Diplomatic Leadership, a style characterized by diplomacy, empathy, and collaboration. Richard Branson, the renowned CEO of the Virgin Group, serves as a quintessential example of this approach. Branson’s leadership style focuses on empowering managers and employees to take ownership of their roles and decisions. This, in turn, elevates employee morale and productivity, underlining the significance of a diplomatic approach to leadership.

In the comparative analysis of these leaders, the study highlights the impact of their leadership styles on their respective reputations, relationships, and success. Donald Trump’s aggressive approach has garnered a mixed reputation, while Richard Branson’s diplomatic leadership has earned him global recognition. Branson’s emphasis on empowering the workforce and fostering relationships allows him the freedom to focus on human resource management and public relations.

In conclusion, this study underscores the critical importance of leadership styles in shaping organizational dynamics and outcomes. While both leadership styles have achieved success, they manifest distinct approaches to wealth, brand success, and work-life balance. Leaders in the modern business landscape must carefully consider their leadership style to balance achievement with personal contentment.

Understanding and Evaluating Leadership for Best Practice

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3

Analysis and evaluation of Leader 1 – Dictator Leadership ...................................................... 3

Analysis and evaluation of Leader 2 – Diplomatic Leadership ................................................. 4

Comparison of the leaders ......................................................................................................... 5

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 6

Bibliography ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Introduction

Leadership is a necessity for every business or company as it brings together the working

teams thus allowing the teams perform effectively. This makes team leadership and important

aspect linked to every business but it’s important that the leaders also adopt suitable

approaches linked to leading the business so as to guide their employees in the correct

manner. Leadership traits vary greatly and each leader will develop a unique set of leadership

approaches which will set them apart from the others. While some of these leadership

approaches may be positive, others may have grave effects on individual team members

which make it important that leaders balance between their positive as well as their negative

aspects (Owen, 2012). Only when both these aspects and traits are balanced will a leader be

able to guide his team to achieving the desired results. To understand the difference, it is

important to analyse two different leaders which will help with better understanding

leadership.

Analysis and evaluation of Leader 1 – Dictator Leadership

Leadership has been identified to be the capability of an individual to influence those around

them but in certain situations, the leaders will adopt an iron fist while leading. Throughout

history, there have been several political leaders who have been identified to lead their

countries with an iron fist but while this was better observed among political leaders, many

business leaders also adopted this approach. Dictatorship CEO has been identified to have

grave consequences in the modern business world simply due to most business adopting

democratic approaches towards team participation and employees understanding their role in

the business world. While dictatorship CEO approaches may have been possible in the past

due to the limited number of employment opportunities, today skilled professionals have a

much wider option of employment opportunities to consider (Feuer, 2011). This now turns

the tables since they understand their role and place in the business which makes them grow

more powerful due to them having the skills which are highly demanded in the business

world.

A dictator leader who has been noted to over pressurize his workforce and employee teams

into submission and even quitting their jobs is Donald Trump. He may be listed as the

amount the most successful business professionals in the world today but the majority of his

success has been accredited to his managers. As a person and leader, he is over persistent and

known to place managers under his under immense pressure to meet their targets thus

classifying his as a dictator leader while viewed from a broader spectrum. This approach may

only be effective while working among management and high ranked employees but is likely

to have grave consequences for front line employee and skilled professionals.

Analysis and evaluation of Leader 2 – Diplomatic Leadership

Similar to political governance where nations are struggling to secure democracy, businesses

also require securing diplomacy amount leaders so as to develop and grown in the correct

manner. As skilled employment grown higher in demand in the business world, employees

are also expecting better employment terms as well as relationships with their employers and

leaders (Wills, 2013). Failure to deliver diplomacy at the workplace is likely to result in

complications thus diplomacy must practice to a certain level. A Good example of a

diplomatic leader that has won global recognition is Richard Branson CEO of Virgin Group.

He has always demonstrated a high level of diplomacy among his employees and skilled

professionals which have resulted in the virgin brand growing to be among the largest

globally. Richard has vested his managers and company leaders with the role of managing the

businesses and concentrating more on improving human and public relations among the

skilled workforce and customers (Branson, 2014). Richard focuses more on developing his

relationship with his work teams as he understands their importance to the business and

focuses mostly towards developing the relationship. This results in boosting the team's

morale which in turn automatically results in improving performance, as employees are likely

to perform better when they are happy and content at work rather than when they are

depressed.

Comparison of the leaders

While both leaders have been noted to achieve success, it’s important to understand that each

of the leadership approaches has had its own consequences and results on the leader’s

reputation. Donald’s Trump is known as an arrogant leader willing to stop at nothing to

achieve success. These results in him have developed a bad reputation and relationship with

many people who work for him due to him over pressurizing them to deliver on results even

when the results may not be achievable. On the other hand, Richard Branson has developed a

relationship with his employees and skilled professionals where he empowers them to make

the decisions which result in building their confidence and focus towards work (Pride et al.,

2009). This is very important for any brand as it frees the leader to focusing on other aspects

of the business which require as much attention to register success. Richard has managed to

achieve this by empowering the workforce and turning his attention towards human resource

and public relations management thus resulting in his manager and skilled employees mainly

running the business. Today Richard spends the majority of his time travelling and visiting

the different businesses he owns and interacting with his skilled workers while Donald has

been noted to be cooped up in his office mainly focussing on how his brand with achieving

the next hurdle or target.

Conclusion

While both forms and leadership have been noted to achieve considerable amounts or

success, it’s important to also view the brand owner and CEO freedom. Richard is free and

enjoying his wealth and brands success while Donald is always focussing on his brands next

success and goals achievement. This clearly demonstrates different approaches linked to

business which must be observed by every leader since success is only a single aspect linked

to the business but it’s also very important for the leader to also enjoy their riches and brands

success (Gallos, 2014). Failure to enjoy your success or achievement does not justify your

success, this was clearly demonstrated by Howard Hugh’s who was the richest man on the

planet but never enjoyed his wealth or success.

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