Leadership Essay Assignment
Review and research the below case study and write a 3-5 page essay answering the questions provided that relate to the case study. You MUST back up all of your claims with evidence from experts in the field using APA style referencing. You must use a minimum of 3 outside sources for this paper.
How Leaders Emerge During Challenging Times
Great leaders don't reach the height of success without facing their share of minor challenges and major crises. In fact, most outstanding leaders would say that working through difficulties made them even better. A truly great leader will rise to the top in troubling times, when difficult decisions are made and decisive action must be taken.
Outstanding business managers can take a potentially disastrous situation and not only prevent it from becoming worse, but turn it into a positive outcome for the company. A leader uses a variety of leadership traits when taking an organization through turbulence.
It takes someone with a clear vision and unstoppable fortitude to lead an organization through its worst times, whether they involve economic troubles, public relations nightmares or product failures. The following case study demonstrates how a great leader overcame serious difficulties.
Case Study #3: Toro
Toro, the lawn equipment manufacturer, is accustomed to lawsuits, due to the inherent hazards associated with using its machinery. During the late 1980s, the company was facing major financial troubles and put Ken Melrose in place as CEO. One of his first successes was reducing the company's cost of lawsuits by implementing a new mediation policy, and invoking an important leadership trait: empathy.
Prior to Melrose's tenure, Toro faced about 50 lawsuits every year involving serious injuries. He decided to switch to mediation to address product liability claims. This approach included sending a company representative to meet with people injured by Toro products, as well as their families. The goal was to see what went wrong, express the firm's sympathy and attend to the family's needs. One result of the new mediation policy was a 95% rate of resolving the company's claims, along with significant cost savings.
Great leaders recognize problems and do what it takes to overcome them. They are open and empathetic, and let their values guide their actions. Why is this often an overlooked quality in leaders? Why is in important in good leadership?