University of Phoenix
LDR/736 Architecture of Leadership
Normative Dimensions of Leadership
Normative dimensions of leadership theory looks at the big picture of the organization to work out challenges and find solutions to problems. According to Harvey (2001) The normative leadership model approach is a caring type of leadership where the leader has vision and implements ideas, arguing that a caring type of leadership is actually good for profits in a capitalistic society (Harvey, 2002). Normative leaders are visionaries who inspire followers to contribute to the successful completion of strategic goals (Rigsby & Greco, 2003). This paper reviews the leadership style of DeBorah Thigpen, President of Thigpen and Associates, a small public relations and marketing communication consulting agency. The paper compares and contrast servant leadership and transformational leadership styles that are influential in the DeBorah’s leadership repertoire.
Servant leadership
Servant-Leadership serves as the dominant leadership practice for this learner. According to the late author, Robert K. Greenleaf, who coined the term Servant-Leadership (McGraw Hill, 2001) believed “the servant-leader is a servant first” (p.65). This philosophy is the practice of serving the organizations or people needs first, and aspires to be leaders. While working as an entrepreneur for 20 years, the learner, DeBorah Thigpen, had to work on both sides of business, follower and leader. She was a follower during her passive moments while listening carefully to the comments of the employees. As a follower Ms. Thigpen became wiser to what operations needed to change within the organization. She would step back into the leadership role when she needed to lead, yet in all aspects of the business, she never truly surrendered the leadership position. Servant- Leaders are good listeners, empathetic and caring. While leading her company, Thigpen & Associates,
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