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Leadership Theories Based on Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk

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Leadership Theories Based on Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk
Table of Contents
Abstract…………………………………………………………………….…………..3
Introduction………………………………………………………………….…………4
Literature review……………………………………………………………….………5
Results………………………………………………………………………….………7
Discussion of results……………………………………………………………………7
Recommendations……………………………………………………………………..11
Conclusion……………………………………………………………….……….……11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………..……..12

Abstract The paper discusses 2 contrasting leadership styles based on characters of Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk. Dr. Spock’s style is explained as rational, instrumental, transactional, managerial. Captain Kirk’s style is described as humanist, interpretive, transformational, leading, charismatic. The high-technology company Apple is innovative, democratic, creative, inspiring and therefore Captain Kirk with similar views would suit better to it. Since the chemical corporation BASF supports traditional way of doing business, focuses on sustainability, precise structure and logic, Dr Spock’s rational dispassionate style would be perfect for BASF. Introduction The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist.
Eric Hoffer

Leadership is a process of motivating people to achieve specific goals (Ebert and Griffin, 2007, 266).
The study of leadership has a long history. First attempts to find out what makes a person a leader were made in works of Plato and Plutarch. Since then many theories of leadership have been developed. The most significant of them are trait theory, situational approach, behavioural and style theories, contingency model, transactional and transformational theories.
The purpose of the paper is to scrutinize 2 contrasting leadership styles based on the characters of the popular TV series “Star trek” – Dr. Spock and Captain Kirk – and to answer the following questions: Which of the two individuals would be better suited to BASF? Which of the two would be better suited to Apple? Why?
The



Bibliography: Ebert, Ronald J. and Griffin, Ricky W., 2007. Business essentials. Pearson Education. New Jersey. Kotter, John P. A., 1990. Force of Change: How leadership differs From Management. John P. Kotter, Inc. Kotter, John P Leavy, B., 1996. Key process in strategy. London: International Thomson Business Press. Waldman, David A. and Yammarino, Francis J., vol. 24, no.2, 1999. CEO charismatic leadership: levels of management and levels of analysis effect. Academy of Management Review. Zaleznik, A., 1977, May–June. Managers and Leaders: Is there a difference?. Harvard Business Review. Zaleznik, A., 1989. The Managerial Mystique. New York: Harper and Row. Electronic resources Boje, D. M., Ph.D. , 2001, January 21. Myers Briggs, XYZ Leadership, and Team Roles. Available at: <http://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/teaching/490_psl/step_9.htm#references>.

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