Assessment 3 - Leadership Paper Students will research and write a paper with analysis of leadership practices and associated issues within a selected organisation, aimed at synthesizing the learning...

LEadership at Wal-mart
LEadership at Wal-mart
Assignment Report
Introduction
Wal-Mart is one of the largest multinational retail organisations thriving under the guidance and leadership of Doug Million. Wal-Mart was established in the year 1962 by the founder Sam Walton in Arkansas. Today the company has grown so much that it has expanded to more than 162 countries panning all across the world. The organisation still adheres to the mission statements of offering the products at lowest price everyday such that customers save their hard earn money and invest it in better living (Cramer, 2014). Essentially, the present leaders comprehend the mission and vision of organisation exceptionally well following transformational, democratic as well as transactional style of leadership. By the virtue of strong work ethics, processes, rules, procedure and inclination to integrity at work another leadership style emerges from the organisation culture which is of democratic leadership style. It is the relevance of strong moral and ethical style of leadership that the organisation has raised the salaries of employees as well as provides various support to their employees like education assistance, paid leaves and numerous health policies. By the virtue of this report, I have extensively researched on the Wal-Mart that helped me to comprehend the dynamic aspect of leadership better. I gauged that in this organisation leadership is not considered as position rather it is taken as a process where everyone is accountable for their actions and all hands are required to make the organisation a big success (Gupta & Govindarajan, 2002). Employees are considered one of the greatest resources who are empowered by the leaders to capitalise on the human capital.
Transactional and Transformational Leadership at Wal-Mart
As explained in the journal that explains leadership can be primarily of two kinds - Transformational as well as Transactional (Chang & Harrington, 2000). Former style of leadership can be explained as the something that have potential to bring changes significantly into the lifestyle of employees/people and the society where the leaders operates. This style of leadership basically enables people to bring big changes in the lives of followers such that it can enhance their lives for better. On the other hand, Transactional leadership is concentrated on proper execution of numerous transactions that the leader or team manager makes with her or his subordinates. This kind of leadership style essentially is based on relationship of give and take where leaders offers rewards for job well done or punishes for error or mistake committed. Essentially, the primary goal of transactional leadership is achieving a particular objective (Gupta & Govindarajan, 2002).
For an organisation as prolific and successful as Wal-Mart, it becomes necessary to have both aspect of leadership covered. On one hand the transformational aspect of leadership is important in order to provide direction as well as vision to the company. While on the other hand, transactional leadership is essential to keep routine actives in full swing and operational. In the report the following parts will elaborate how these two forms of leadership has tremendously contributed to the success of Wal-Mart (Kelloway, Turner, Barling & Loughlin, 2012).
Transformational Style of Leadership in Wal-Mart
At the core of the organisation is the Transformational Style of leadership which is followed by the leaders. Right from the founder Sam Walton to present day CEO, all have the vision and passion to take the organisation to the next level. I have explained below methods that transformational leadership contributed to the success of Wal-Mart.
Regular Leader Connect with the Employees and Visits to the Stores - Leaders like various CXOs visits the store and retail outlets frequently. All the managers as well as top officials who includes the Chairman as well as CEO have always been major contributor of the massive success of the organisation. Bringing with them the business acumen, knowledge and passion to grow the business leaders have never step back due to changes witnessed in the environment. Indeed, the organisation has changed the things work is been conducted as and when it was necessary. Business leaders and managers comprehend the business better and comprehend the realities without sugar-coating anything. This also reflect on the way employees work at their stores. I would like to explain it with the example of present CEO Doug McMillion to the stores in United States. He visited the retail outlet one day and found that the retail outlets aren’t stocking local banana which much reasonable than the ones which are imported. There were certain subtle but swift actions taken to rectify it. These exhibit the influence visit of leaders can have on the entire business. Indeed, these visit makes a huge difference in the action of the employees who get to advance in their career. Secondly important aspect is to value the employees working at the ground. This because the employees who work at ground zero or at retail store are closet to the customers. Hence, these leaders can offer deep insights to enhance the shopping experience as well as improve the business (Forbes., 2014).
Impact of Initiatives & Project - Incorporations as well as adoption of project exhibits...