In the scientific debate on business management topics, the relevance of leadership for corporate success is a central object of research. In this field, science has a long history and began its research in the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, scientists have promoted the understanding of leadership processes to a significant degree and further on have tried to stimulate companies to rethink management practices. During this period, several approaches have emerged – ranging from structure-functionalistic and personality-related to behavioral-scientific and transactional dispositions. Regardless of which perspective, in a number of studies leadership is expressed as having a great impact on corporate success. The majority of companies knows how important good leadership is – it holds it all together and is a make or break function – and every stakeholder fears the negative effects of management organizations that lack effective managers. Companies are in serious trouble if they are not able to develop promising young professionals or recruit competent managers. Rarely is it the case that companies underestimate the significance of a good leadership culture within their personnel policy.
Unfortunately, even top managers with impressive track records are not always aware of their mistakes in management decisions and its consequences on the employee´s motivation, commitment and performance. If they were, they would act differently. At the same time, many companies and managers want to improve their leadership processes and methods, and therefore seek external support. In Germany, about 84.000 management consultants work in some 13.2000 personnel and management consulting companies.1 Those numbers show that the demand for management and leadership specialists remains high. On top of this, approximately 5.000 coaches are hired to work
exclusively with managers.
In this process, science as well as practice is seeking the essence of good leadership - what it stands for, which foundation it needs and how it is performed. Against this backdrop, this paper deals with leadership from a scientific and practical view. Chapter 2 analyzes the philosophy of powerful executives on leadership and afterwards leads through the development of science in the field of leadership. In chapter 3 the focus is exclusively on classical leadership theories. On this basis, chapter 4 will illustrate what good leadership is about. In chapter 5 I will apply this to Winterkorn...
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Executive Summary
- List of Figures
- List of Abbreviations
- Introduction
- What Is Leadership? – A Practical and Scientific Approach
- Leadership from a Top Manager's Perspective
- Leadership from a Scientific Perspective
- Classical Leadership Theories
- The Foundation of Good Leadership
- A Critical Analysis of Managers
- A Leader's Failure? – Thomas Middelhoff
- A Leader's Success? – Martin Winterkorn
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
- ITM Checklist (360-degree analysis)
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the leadership effectiveness of two prominent German business leaders, Thomas Middelhoff and Martin Winterkorn. It draws on both scientific research and insights from the business world to explore what constitutes good leadership and how it translates into practical success. The paper's objectives are:- To provide an overview of leadership theories and perspectives, including those from top managers and academic research.
- To critically analyze the leadership styles and effectiveness of Thomas Middelhoff and Martin Winterkorn.
- To examine the factors contributing to the success or failure of their leadership strategies.
- To shed light on the complexities of leadership in the business context.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- **Introduction:** The introduction sets the stage by highlighting the increasing complexity of the business world and the growing demand for effective leadership. It emphasizes the importance of understanding leadership from both practical and scientific perspectives.
- **What Is Leadership? – A Practical and Scientific Approach:** This chapter explores the nature of leadership through the lenses of top managers and academic research. It provides insights into leadership styles and approaches from both perspectives.
- **Classical Leadership Theories:** This chapter delves into established leadership theories, providing a framework for understanding different approaches to leadership.
- **The Foundation of Good Leadership:** This chapter focuses on the key principles and attributes that contribute to effective leadership. It explores the elements that underpin successful leadership in various contexts.
- **A Critical Analysis of Managers:** This chapter analyzes the leadership effectiveness of Thomas Middelhoff and Martin Winterkorn, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and the factors that contributed to their success or failure.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper explores the concept of leadership in the business context. Key terms and concepts include: leadership theories, top manager perspectives, leadership effectiveness, critical analysis, Thomas Middelhoff, Martin Winterkorn, success factors, and business world insights.- Quote paper
- Sean Miller (Author), 2011, Leadership from a Scientific and Practical Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/171440
