This course has defined leaders and the ones responsible for the big picture. Leaders set the tone for what the strategic management process is going to look like, what the ultimate goals are, and how the company will reach those goals. While managers are the ones who will take those goals and make sure that they are executed to the organization’s standards. For this discussion the author will focus more on the leaders than the managers. As stated before leaders set the standards and the road map for the company and the success they are hoping to achieve. There has been a lot of research done on the topic of what a leader does and what a manger does. In the article “4 Ways to Define Leadership” author Sammi Caramela lays out what makes a good leader and how it relates to the overall success of an organization. Caramela states that leaders better their environment, know their team and themselves well, maintain a positive attitude, and build the next generation of leaders. The basis of the article comes down to the fact that leaders are there to enhance their people and to nurture them to grow and flourish with in the company’s strategic plans. A leader, “builds their employees so they can be as successful as, if not more than, the person in charge.” A leader is someone who builds their team, mentors them and …show more content…
The author believes there are two main dangers that occur when this happens, which are group think and lack of cultural diversity. As stated previously leaders nurture their staff, help them grow to become future leaders. This cannot happen if everyone believes that there is only one way to accomplish a goal. Groupthink is defined as, “the practice of approaching problems or issues as matters that are best dealt with by consensus of a group rather than by individuals acting independently; conformity.” (“Groupthink”) In terms of strategic management groupthink can be very dangerous as no one is willing to step up and challenge and idea that may not lead to the best results. Groupthink allows leaders to go unchecked and create a strategic plan that may not be the best course for an organization. According to Naomi Karten in her article “The Dangers of Groupthink” companies should hire a permanent devil’s advocate or what David Firth calls the “corporate fool”. While this may not be an actual position to hire for the point is to surround yourself with free thinkers and people who will challenge a leader to take a look at other option and ideas. According to Karten, “ group in which people feel comfortable raising concerns is more likely to make good decisions, up to and including avoiding death in an avalanche.”