RICHARD BRANSON’S LEADERSHIP 8
RichardBranson’s Leadership
Course’stitle
RichardBranson’s Leadership
Oneof the key elements that that is adopted by Richard Branson’sleadership style is adopting concrete business ideas. This is a keyelement that is meant to win the trust and confidence of investors bydemonstrating a high level knowledge on business concepts (Branson,2016). This is attained by offering effective step by stepdemonstrations during presentation on new innovations that promisehealthy returns to the investors. Naturally, investors tend to seekinformation about the returns of every venture before making aninvestment decision. This element had an adverse effect on hisbusiness ideas as investors were given clear, specific and concretecommunication that is backed up by the confidence (Branson, 2016).
Anotherkey element and leadership style that has contributed to the generalsuccess of Branson’s business is being unapologetically disruptivein the business environment (Branson, 2016). This leadership style isideal as it offers customers or consumers a better deal than the onethat is offered by competitors in the same business environment. Thedisruptive nature of Branson enables him to disrupt the existingstatus quo in the business environment. It is important to note thatBranson’s disruptive nature is normally backed up by his passion tooffer best and new deals that clients cannot pass (Florent et al,1999). This style of leadership has made him to look out forpassionate entrepreneurs who are in a better position to understandthe business environment. This is an important attribute that ensuresthat those entrepreneurs understand the existing competition and arewilling to deliver ideas and services that win new customers.
Inaddition, Branson has continually strived to prove that growth isindeed sustainable in any business environment (Branson, 2016). Thiskey attribute in leadership enables him to prove that in any businessenvironment, change is inevitable. In this regard, Branson hascontinually tried to explain his plans in countering market shifts aswell as technological advancements that may come along. This style ofleadership has created partner and investor confidence as they alwayswant to be supplied with proof that the business environment is wellunderstood. This is by identifying and selling out existing marketproblem to the investors as well as partners. It is also important toexplain how a business product is going to solve a particular marketproblem (Florent et al, 1999).
Demonstratingbench strength to the prospective business investors is an importantkey element that Branson exuded (Florent et al, 1999). This is animportant attribute as it created awareness to the investors thatBranson had the right kind of people to work with in his businessventures. This element was achieved through delegating key roles andresponsibilities to other employees, ensuring that the weight andpressure of running a business was not only felt by one individual.Therefore, roles and responsibilities are equally distributed withinan effective team work (Branson, 2016). Team work is an importantelement that ensures that work is done easily, effectively and fasterso that the business is able to achieve the set goals and ambitions.
VirginGroup has been illustrated as a rapid growing entrepreneurial companywith a variety of facets to the group. There are unique aspects thatare owned by Branson, who has been portrayed as an individual whosees market problems and offers solutions to them (Des, 2009). Oneunique aspect that is observed from Branson’s leadership thatsuccessfully meshes up with the multifaceted Virgin Group of companyis his ability to challenge the status quo. Many new businessinnovations that are seen in this multifaceted company are seenchallenging contemporary wisdom that is generally accepted (Branson,2016). This unique leadership quality is achieved by Branson throughadopting the customer’s point of view. In this regard, Virgin Groupof companies has demonstrated unique perspective on how they handletheir customers.
Creatingvalue in the market environment is yet another unique aspect ofBranson that successfully integrates with the Virgin Group ofcompanies (Branson, 2016). Branson has demonstrated in many occasionshis desire and passion that seeks to improve the lives of people. Forinstance, after a bad experience with the British airways, he saw theneed of starting his own airlines. This type of airline popularlyknown as Virgin Atlantic, centers all its services on customersatisfaction (Des, 2009). Consequently, his unique passion ofbuilding new innovations that he is backed up by his passion hasplayed a major role to business success. Viable business idearequires dedication in getting qualified staff, purchasing necessarykey assets as well as working around the clock in ensuring that sucha business idea eventually succeeds.
Bransonhas demonstrated his unique attribute of being a self motivator, anattribute that has contributed immensely to the success of VirginGroup of companies. This unique attribute is an essential tool thatas an entrepreneur, he has used to his advantage (Florent et al,1999). This attribute is achieved through realizing one’s personalmotivation, which pools all the efforts necessary to focus on theattainment of the set goals. Branson has adopted a system of creatingan effective business structure that ensures delegation of work amongemployees (Branson, 2016). However, Branson has stressed that moneycannot be a personal motivator in his businesses. The strategy thatsets Branson apart from other business leaders is the fact that hespends time knowing the motivations and aspirations of his employees.This strategy has helped him set up an effective structure thataccommodates his motivations and aspirations as well as those of hisemployees.
Thereare ways through which Branson can motivate his employees in orderfor him to achieve the set goals and ambitions of Virgin Group ofcompanies. The first major approach is by expressing his passionatecommitment to serve his business team (Florent et al, 1999). It isimportant for Branson to constantly engage his employees in thedecision making processes as well as expressing his desire oftreating them with respect and dignity. This strategy ensures thatemployees remain happy, while fulfilling their responsibilities. Itis important to note that normally unhappy employees eventually leadto bad or negative results (Des, 2009). This strategy is more likelyto work in other organizations where employees’ aspirations aretaken into consideration, by providing all the necessary tools neededby them. In the end, happy employees tend to improve customersatisfaction through elevated customer services in any organization.
Thesecond method that could be adapted by Branson to motivate hisemployees is by inspiring employee to communicate new business ideas.At the same time, it is important to recognize that many individualshave little regard to “how” until the “why” is effectivelycommunicated to them (Des, 2009). This can be achieved througheffective communication from the top leadership on the importance ofdelivering specific services to the consumers. In addition, it isimportant for Branson to clearly articulate the benefits of businessideas or products to his employees. This is because employees in anybusiness organizations normally like to understand such benefits.This strategy is important as it inspires employees when they aremade to understand how certain business ideas, products or initiativebenefits their personal lives (Des, 2009).
Thereis evidence of high level effectiveness of Branson’s ability incommunicating his vision to both his employees as well as otherstakeholders. Branson is able to express his unflinching commitmenttowards all the company’s products as well as services (Branson,2016). His unique ability of expressing his communication issupported by his strength in expressing his obvious obsession overthe details of his vision. Additionally, he stresses his personalbelief that that particular vision is actually unveiling the bestproduct in the market. The main motivation of Branson was the factthat he wanted to create value in the market by unveiling productsthat are centered on customer needs. In this regard, Bransoncommunicates his desire of improving the existing status quo to hisemployees as well as other important stakeholders (Branson, 2016).This is achieved through effectively communicating his desire ofmaking radical improvements in the existing market products orservices.
Inaddition, the success of Branson’s communication towards hisemployees and other stakeholders is attributed to the unconventionalmethods of communication. Branson prefers communicating with hisemployees in the fields where there is high level of trust, genuineconvictions as well as eye contact (Branson, 2016). This is incontrast to the conventional methods of communication that isnormally done in boardrooms. The main driver of this type ofcommunication is the fact that there is staff engagement towards thedesire of fulfilling customer satisfaction in the business. This typeof communication is effective as Branson is able to demonstrate hisobsession of transforming the lives of the clientele that he serveswith a sense of fun (Branson, 2016). Therefore the employees as wellas other significant stakeholders are fully involved in the dailyoperation of the company and they end up fully immersed and enjoyBranson’s vision.
Whengetting a job offer to become a manager within the Virgin Group ofcompanies, I would evaluate Branson’s leadership style and itseffectiveness. I believe that Branson’s leadership style is a goodfit for me because of the success that is attributed to it. VirginGroup of companies offers a wide range of products and services thathave become very popular globally. When I observe the particularVirgin brand, I realize that the brand becomes stronger as itdiversification takes place (Des, 2009). In addition, Branson hasemerged as a corporate leader through his unique leadership stylesthat are associated with his unconventional attitude and informalstyle towards his employees, thereby creating confidence and highlevel of trust. Additionally, Branson has emerged as an idealbusiness icon to upcoming entrepreneurs through the many businesssuccesses that are attributed to his passion.
Bransonhas emerged as a global leader who has stood out by inspiringentrepreneurs to believe in their passion (Florent et al, 1999). Hehas been able to offer new and effective leadership styles that aremainly focused on offering customers the best value for their money.He has admitted many times the many challenges that he was able toovercome and he articulated about his strategy of thinking ofbusiness challenges as a form of campaign (Florent et al, 1999). Hehas been able to change the status quo that is mostly owned by largebusinesses to emerge as an ideal business leader that improves thelives of his clientele from around the world. Virgin brand hasemerged as a global leader in the provision of goods and servicesthat are centered on customer satisfaction.
Inpredicting Richard Branson’s success in the next five years, onecan attest the fact that he is likely to expand the Virgin brand.Currently, the Virgin brand is fully integrated in eight differentbillion dollar industries that are doing so well (Branson, 2016). Inthis regard, there is high likelihood of expansion of this brand toother industries without necessarily having the risk of dilution inthe market.
References
Branson,R. (2016). TheVirgin Way.Indonesia. Mizan Digital Publishing.
Des,D. (2009). TheUnauthorized Guide to Doing Business the Richard Branson’s Way.New York: Routeledge.
Florent,T.. Elizabeth, F.R. & Manfred, V.T (1999). NewGlobal Leaders.New York. Wiley Publishers.