admin A leader is an integral part of work and social life. In any situation, when people want to accomplish some goal, a leader is required, and leadership is a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective and directs the organization to make it cohesive and coherent. Leadership is the ability to build confidence and support among group members to achieve organizational goals. However, not everybody can be an exceptional leader. Leadership style varies with the situation permitting the leader to enjoy power by virtue of their expertise and skill. One such leader who won the heart of his followers is Michael Dell the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the world’s largest technology infrastructure companies.
Michael was born on 23/02/1965 in Houston, US and at a very early stage of life Dell understood the meaning of “business opportunity”, as his mother’s profession, stockbroker, frequently raised discussion of business and economic affairs at the family dinner table. And so when he began to collect stamps at age 12 and noticed prices rising, Dell recognized a business opportunity. Dell further developed his business acumen at the age of 16, when he sold newspaper subscriptions for the Houston Post. The approach used, succeeded so well that Dell earned $18,000 the first year and had bought a BMW automobile by the time he went to college. In the back seat of that BMW, Dell carried three personal computers, the seeds of PC’s Limited and Dell Computer Corporation.
Dell’s fascination with computers began with exposure to a data processor in junior high school then to computers at the local Radio Shack store. Exposure to the computer industry fostered Dell’s desire to start a computer business. In 1983, a week before final examinations Dell incorporated the company Dell Computer Corporation. When Dell started his own business, he had limited management experience but, as his business started growing sharply, management skills became necessary to drive his company toward success. This is why he brought Lee Walker who was a venture capitalist to provide him with the required managerial and financial experience. Mr. Walker was Dell’s mentor and helped him build confidence to become a polished executive. Dell turned into a charismatic leader as his knowledge of all parts of the business grew and he motivated people by gaining their loyalty and respect.
Dell’s successful leadership is a result of four main strengths:
- His goal was clear and he stayed focus on it.
- He has a strong innovation sense.
- He is a hard worker with a great understanding of his responsibilities. He is known for his good balance between work and life (family).
- He has a powerful vision for the future with a unique business’s philosophy.
Dell’s manages his company directly as a CEO for 20 years where and is known as a warm guy with good characters for making his staff feel like part of a team. After he dropped out and Mr. Kevin Rollins become the CEO, Mr. Kevin kept and emotional distance from staff. In 2007, the board of directors of Dell Inc. agreed that Mr. Dell is required to glue the team again. He is back as the CEO and changed his way by introducing a new leadership board. He delegated power and share decision making.
Mr. Dell brought Mr. Kevin on board when the company expanded to have multi-product in multi-geography locations to help him manage the company. They started a new leadership approach of having two CEO’s in one company. Even though there is a risk of conflict but fortunately, it worked well with them.
Analysis of Dell’s management style showed different ways of leadership. He was autocratic in his early life but then he became participative when he started sharing management, first when he started the two in a box style where two CEO in board leading the company, and second when he introduced the leadership board after he returned to CEO position in 2007.
The way Dell changed his style to fit the conditions of his organization showed that he is following the situational leadership style. However, his style was more affecting people by his characteristics rather than his way of decision making. People working with Dell have a sense of loyalty to him. When he left for 3 years, employees, performance got affected and Mr. Dell came back to gather the team back. Such charisma and effect on people proved that Mr. Dell is a transformational leader who guides people by charisma and inspires them to follow his goals.
The characteristics of Dell make him effective Leaders. He creates a trusting and open climate, to help others to be successful and to feel empowered. He also tried to encourage members to do more. He showed followers that they aren’t just the figurehead or decision-maker. Members respect leaders more when they show the willingness to work alongside them. Characteristics of a Successful Leadership are that the person others choose to follow, provide a vision for the future, provide inspiration, make other people feel important and appreciated and last but not least behave ethically.
Leaders should have high moral and responsibility. Moreover, leaders with good relationship behaviour become more attached by followers and such leaders gain people’s respect. It is Dell’s leadership style that made him successful and allowed him to gain experience from people.
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