Read “Ursula Burns: Xerox’s Chairwoman and CEO”

Read “Ursula Burns:  Xerox’s Chairwoman and CEO” on pages 349-350 in the textbook.  Then, write a narrative responding to case questions #1 and #3.  Within your narrative, in addition to responding to each question as presented, explain the “why” to each of your responses linking your reasoning to supportive information discussed within the case. (250 word)

reply on the discussion below :

In your opinion is Ursula Burns more of a charismatic, transformational or transactional leader? Or is she all of the three types?

According to the textbook, Pg. 328, a transformational leadership “seeks to change the status quo by articulating to followers the problems in the current system and a compelling vision of what a new organization be”. Transactional leadership “seeks to maintain stability within an organization through regular economic and social exchanges that achieve specific goals for both leaders and their followers”. Charismatic leadership has generally been analyzed in terms of the effects the leader has on followers, or in terms of the relationship between leaders and followers. According to the text, Burns changed the status quo of the company by keeping the top people of the company to 20% managing and 80% leading and this has led to the company being stabilized. Burns also takes a charismatic approach by keeping her focus on product improvement and its influence on the team’s long-term success. This proves that Ursula Burns has all three types of leadership in her.

3) A key attribute of servant leadership is that it transcends self-interest to serve the needs of others. Does Ursula Burns fit this bill?

According to the textbook, Pg. 342, servant leadership is defined as “leadership that transcends self-interest to serve the needs of others, by helping them grow professionally and personally”. Burns definitely displays servant leadership. As illustrated by the text, Ursula Burns used her life as a lesson as to how she can treat others and keep her focus on improving the company as a whole and making it an enjoyable place to work.