Chapter 11: Leadership and Influence Processes

Complete set of links to companies

Chapter 11 describes the leadership of Sony CEO, Idei, (see page 309 of your text). Contrast this with the leadership of Goodyear CEO Sam Gibara. Access these two organizations’ web sites, and then answer the following questions:

1. Based on the information available at its web site, what is the nature of leadership in each firm? Consider leadership activities, processes, and styles.
2. Which approach to leadership seems to most nearly fit the leadership that you described in question 1?

Internet Exercise

The closing incident in Chapter 11 discusses the managerial leadership of Southwest Airline’s CEO, Herb Kelleher. In June 2001, Kelleher, founder of the firm and CEO since 1981, stepped down from an active leadership role, and assumed the title of Chairman of the Board of Directors. He named his long-time employees James F. Parker as CEO, and Colleen C. Barrett as President and COO.

View Southwest Airlines’ Internet pages to find out more information about Parker and Barrett. Another useful site is Hoover’s Online, which provides executive biographies of many corporate officers, as well as a wealth of other corporate data. Then answer the following questions.

1. What styles of leadership are Parker and Barrett using in leading Southwest Airlines?
2. Compare and contrast Parker and Barrett’s leadership styles with Kelleher’s. What are the similarities? What are the differences?
3. Based on what you discover about Southwest Airlines and your answers to questions 1 and 2 above, do you think Parker and Barrett are likely to provide effective leadership at the company? Why or why not?

Explore Further

Examine the web sites of other airlines. Some good choices would be American, Delta, or British Airways. (On the American web site, select "About AA.")What differences in leadership styles do you see, as compared to the leadership styles at Southwest Airlines? Why do you think these differences exist?