Preview

What Do People Do When They Are Leading

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1273 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Do People Do When They Are Leading
What Do People Do When They Are Leading
Brenda L. Williams-Capers
Dr. Eddie Montgomery
Lithonia Campus
BUS-520 Leadership and Organizational Behavior
June 2, 2013
Strayer University

Abstract
This paper will analyze the leadership style and philosophy, of Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, an on-line footwear and clothing retailer that has become a gold standard for customer service and company culture. The paper will also analyze how Tony Hsieh's leadership style aligns with the culture, and examine his personal and organizational values. It will also examine how those values are likely to influence ethical behavior within the organization.

Tony Hsieh: What Do People Do When They Are Leading
Tony Hsieh got his start as the co-founder of Linkexchange, an online adverting company. At the age of 24 he sold LinkExchange, to Microsoft for $265 million. After the sell of LinkExchange, Tony Hsieh founded Venture Frog, an investment fund, of which Zappos an on-line footwear retailer was one of the first investments. In 2009, Zappos was acquired by Amazon for 1.2 billion, where Tony Hsieh remained as CEO in order to maintain the company's culture. We focus on making sure we have a great service-focused culture. If you get the culture right, then a lot of really amazing things happen on their own (Hsieh,2010). Tony Hsieh is also an author of the New York Times best seller, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits,Passion,and Purpose. which details his life as an entrepreneur with emphasis on founding LinkExchange and Zappos. Under his leadership, Zappos has grown gross merchandise sales form $1.6 M in 2000 to over $1 billion om 2008 by focusing relentlessly on customer service (Zappos, 2013).
Tony Hsieh's Leadership Style and Philosophy
Tony Hsieh has a transformational leadership style because he is charisma, inspiration,intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration for the employees of Zappos. Tony Hsieh focuses on developing a corporate


References: About.zappos.com, 2013 Dell,Jason. 9 Questions: Tony Hsieh, Zappos, Jun 13, 2013. Dick, Richards; At Zappos, Culture Pays. Retrieved from: HTTP//:strategy- business.com/article/10311?g Dirk,Desmond, Strength & Weaknesses of Leadership. Retrieved from HTTP//: ehow.com/facts_750337_strength-weakness-of-leadership. Hollender,Jeffery, Lessons we can all learn from Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh. Retrieved from: Http//: www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/zappos-ceo-tony-hsieh Hsieh,Tony. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose. Apr 16, 2012
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Walmart Ethical Issues
    • 174 Words
    • 1 Page

    Walmart Ethical Issues

    There are many discussions and theories of ethical practices regarding corporate social responsibility. When many corporate companies focus solely on their bottom line, many of their leadership and ethical decisions come into question. In particular, Walmart is the largest "big box" retailer in the world doing billions in sales every year with their low price philosophy. Though starting as a humble neighborhood store, Walmart has now become an unstoppable behemoth which many people are now taking a notice of. This paper is about analyzing the Walmart’s leadership and ethical practices. In 2005, Walmart faced various stakeholder problems in spite of its tremendous achievement as a retail brand. Walmart was related to various issues: outsourcing…

    • 174 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Blake Vs Nordstrom
    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Blake Vs Nordstrom

    He credits his success to a rule of listening to and supporting his sales force team rather than giving them orders, which represents the inverted pyramid with management at the bottom and customers and sales people at the top (A reference, 2015). Some may see his leadership falling short when it comes to being innovative and creative since he still focuses on doing business the way his family did it, striving to provide superior service, “one customer at a time” (Lewis,…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Best Essays

    Leadership, Trustworthiness and Ethical Stewardship
    • 2269 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Leadership, Trustworthiness and Ethical Stewardship

    Gini, A. (1998). Moral leadership and business ethics. In J. B. Ciulla (Ed.), Ethics, the heart of…

    • 2269 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. Mcnamara
    • 3042 Words
    • 13 Pages

    The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. Mcnamara

    Hussein, M. (2007). Ethical leadership makes the right decisions. Journal of Technology and Business, 57-65.…

    • 3042 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Qnt2 Task 1
    • 6634 Words
    • 27 Pages

    Qnt2 Task 1

    Leaders are having to make important decisions not only on corporate finance levels, but also need to meet their responsibilities environmentally and socially. Their role as a leader is the balance between the welfare of others and the preservation of their own personal welfare, they carry the moral obligation. The best leaders convey their ethics and personal values for everyone to see and know, by communicating complete and accurate information about their values and expectations. Those organizations and leaders that want to practice positive workplace morals and ethics should develop a well written standard of conduct, and provide the appropriate ethical training to their employees. These resources will help an individual make good, informed business decisions that in the long run benefits the…

    • 6634 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sarbanes Oxley Act Summary
    • 162 Words
    • 1 Page

    Sarbanes Oxley Act Summary

    Ethical leadership is one of the most important controls a company can have in place because the quality of the organization depends on it. Internal controls, management ethics, and an external auditing policy is a way to deal with poor management and accountability. In the case of Elles and Pacifico those controls simply didn’t work. The ramifications for Carter’s…

    • 162 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Good to Great
    • 8353 Words
    • 34 Pages

    Good to Great

    Jim Collins is a student and teacher of enduring great companies -- how they grow, how they…

    • 8353 Words
    • 34 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    What is ethics and social responsibility and how important does it relate to organizational culture?
    • 1262 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What is ethics and social responsibility and how important does it relate to organizational culture?

    For a company, organizational culture is very important because the culture is like something that the employee can be based for. In addition, the organizational culture is defined as a system of shared meaning and beliefs within an organization that determines, in a large degree, how employee's act (Robbins, et al., 2003, p. 70). Founders of new organizations and managers play an important role in creating and maintaining organizational cultures. However, ethical organizational cultures are those in which ethical values and norms are emphasized. As Jones and George (2003, p. 350) argue that ethical organizational cultures can help organizations and their members behave in a socially responsible manner. Some might believe that if they do the ethical corporate culture, they will be able to get much profit.…

    • 1262 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Should Leaders Follow The Requirements Of Ethics In Human Services
    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Should Leaders Follow The Requirements Of Ethics In Human Services

    As we move into the new millennium, there is an emphasis on the need for leadership and the complexities of developing effective moral leadership. In out postmodern society, chaos and corruption prevail. Organizations are created while others go out of business. Programs that are effective and necessary are eliminated, while profit-making programs that serve those who have the least need find a solid market share. From a realist perspective, it is argued that leaders cannot afford ethics in this world of increasing responsibilities, political and economic intimidation, and competitive interests. However, an alternative view would argue that leaders should follow the requirements of ethics. Further, ethical leadership leads to the development of quality human services, empowered consumers and community citizens, and committed employees.…

    • 790 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    BUSI/600 Literature Review: Ethics Within The Form Of Leadership
    • 4616 Words
    • 19 Pages

    BUSI/600 Literature Review: Ethics Within The Form Of Leadership

    This literature review is written to investigate and discover the insights of a collection of research and articles pertaining to ethics within the form of leadership. The articles are a collection of research centered around what defines an ethical leader, what integrity within a leader looks like, the type of followers a leader of ethics obtains, what type of influence an ethical leader has on followers, notable leaders who displayed ethical leadership throughout history, and finally the challenges and solutions that are found within the ideas and concepts of ethical leadership. Although throughout these articles it is found that leadership is a very multifaceted process and can be found to be complex at times; the entire process of ethical leadership is a fresh idea in most research. As many of the articles will find, there has been a new need for ethical…

    • 4616 Words
    • 19 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Leadership at Amazon.com
    • 1141 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Leadership at Amazon.com

    Some of the characteristics of Jeff Bezos leadership style are that he always challenges idle thinking, he makes customer service a main priority, and he continuously renovates his approach. Bezos does not accept that there is one truth about the way things should be done, even if that way has proven to be successful previously. An example of how Bezos challenges idle thinking also illustrates his stark belief that failure is an opportunity to progress: Years ago, when the bulk of product was written and spoken language the company hired editors to write book and music reviews then decided to use customers critiques instead (Anders, 2012). That relatively small decision speaks volumes of Jeff’s commitment to truth and to customer satisfaction.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Glengarry Glen Ross
    • 5453 Words
    • 22 Pages

    Glengarry Glen Ross

    The general rationale of this paper is quite simple: moral leadership and moral governance matters. It has taken me the entire semester and the detailed reading of the book, Leading With Meaning: Using Covenantal Leadership to Build a Better Organization by Moses Pava (2003) to help me make the solid connection between operational (structural) governance and moral/ethical governance. If the reader of this paper is an enlightened, educated academic, this point may not have a significant impact. On the other hand, if the reader is a “typical” lay practitioner, the point of this paper, supported by evidence provided by Pava (and the other cited resources) might offer a deep and long lasting influence which could possibly change how the reader thinks and acts in matters related to organizational leadership and governance. I was able to make many connections between the Pava text and the Sison (2008) text that helped me better understand how Sison is interpreting Aristotle in today’s complex global business world. I have cited several of these cases to help the reader make a solid connection between structure, intent morality, ethics, accountability and corporate motives. I typically use colored “flags” to note important points and passages in a book I am reading for meaning. After reading the Pava (2003) text, I looked back and saw over fifty colored flags! The personal significance of this book has been overwhelming for me on a personal, professional and academic level. Another significant point for me is the global appeal and usefulness of this text. While this book was written from a uniquely Jewish perspective, the model offered is appropriate for people and organizations of all faiths or no faith at all.…

    • 5453 Words
    • 22 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Leadership and Corporate Culture
    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Leadership and Corporate Culture

    Leaders in organizations play a fundamental role in the policy-making of their firms. The formulation of company policies and the creation of company missions fall under the docket of business leaders. Such policies define the personality of the business. In turn, the personality of the business contributes towards the environment in which the organization exists. By extension, this environment forms the corporate culture. In this manner, the leader of the organization contributes towards the corporate culture. The leaders normally influence company policies using their position and power to maneuver matters however they deem fit. The policies of a firm encompass its guidelines and procedures. Ethical principles of a firm rank high among the policies of an organization. Thus, leaders in an organization also get involved in dictating the ethical principles that the organization adopts. However, the leaders influence ethical conduct in a much more impressionable manner. In their positions of high station, leaders of an organization function as public spectacles. Employees working…

    • 947 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethics: Moral Intelligence
    • 93794 Words
    • 376 Pages

    Ethics: Moral Intelligence

    “Lennick and Kiel reveal the moral leadership practices of successful organizations. It’s fascinating to learn how moral intelligence drives business success at companies like Cardinal Health, American Express, and Hormel.” —Andrew Doman, President and CEO, Russell Investment Group “Moral Intelligence 2.0 has given me insights that will help us with the continued evolution of our business and will enhance our long-term survival and prosperity.” —Joe Dedin, Executive Director, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center “Rarely do books come out that become required reading for members of all Boards. Moral Intelligence 2.0 gives a masterly analysis of how to do the right thing in corporate life.” —Peter Hogarth, Former Director London Stock Exchange and Senior Partner, LVA Partners “I’ve discovered from this book that it is moral intelligence which I have found so critical to my years of leading others. This has surely been the formula for the success of my business.” —Dale Larson, Owner, Larson Doors, Inc. “Lennick and Kiel have brought focus to a subject has been undervalued for years. I found that if my senior team held firmly to these principles, we would safely navigate the most challenging of times. I strongly recommend this book for every CEO and leader in the business world.” —Richard Harrington, Retired CEO, Thomson Reuters…

    • 93794 Words
    • 376 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Ethical Theories Of Ethical Leadership
    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Ethical Theories Of Ethical Leadership

    Ethical leadership is the process of influencing employees through standards, philosophies and beliefs that are based on established standards in the organizational behavior ( Hasan, 2013; Buble, 2012). Additionally, it holds the responsibility of dealing conflict of followers by directing them right (Frank, 2002: Hesselbein & Goldsmith, 2006). Contrastingly, Cumbo (2009) focuses on leader when defining ethical leadership thus consider a leader ethical when inner virtues direct the leader’s decision making process. However, the complexity of ethical leadership is not in adhering law or doing things right but rests in the grey areas which determines the accountability of individuals dealing with problems (Plinio, Young & Lavery, 2010). Accordingly, researchers agree ethical theories reveal the significance of ethical leadership when it is associated to varied leadership styles (Dion, 2012). Building on from that idea the below table 1 presents different ethical theories.…

    • 424 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics