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Ann Fudge Leaves Early Retirement to Take over the Reigns of Young & Rubicam Brands 1. How many of the five sources of power that leaders draw on is Ann Fudge using? Explain. The five sources of power are; (1) the legitimate power that results from one’s position; (2) reward power resulting from a managers ability to reward; (3) a coercive power which managers have because they can punish workers; (4) an expert power because of one’s experience or knowledge; and (5) the referent power derived from personal attraction. (Kinicki/Williams, 2006) The answer is, all.
Our case study does not contain every instance of Ms Fudges use of power but one can easily glean that she would need to use any and all of them as she attempts to gather a constituency behind her. Some telling insights include; “she has been welcomed with as much skepticism as enthusiasm. Fudge was an unconventional choice as chief executive…Fudge’s leadership could result in dramatic improvements… “; “The new CEO acknowledges that it’ll take time to create good will”; “from her open cubicle she has focused on meeting with customers and encouraging her employees to unite in giving them better service. ; “Fudge may have not won the hearts and minds of all her staffers, but at least some clients are in synch. ” (Kinicki/Williams, 2006) The quotes point to Ms Fudge’s legitimate, expert, and referent power, then her reward and coercive powers. The study goes on to tell us that Ann Fudge is a black American woman operating in a white male dominated world. I believe this may have given her the power of intimidation which she could use as an influential tactic. 2. Which of eight influence tactics have been used by Fudge? Fudge did not begin her tenure by using rational persuasion (reason, logic) and inspiration (emotions).
It seems she preferred to go against the grain. “Fudge’s vision…really put her at odds with her colleagues” (Kinicki/Williams, 2006). The company had just gone through a tumultuous period. She, on the other hand, had a highly successful past. Maybe she thought her history would inspire her staff. Her decisions do seem to be attempts at coalition (support) through pressure (intimidation) and legitimizing (authoritative). Clearly, Ms Fudge enjoys being demonstrative. Through her actions she tried to engage fellow employees with her “client perspective” style of agency.
Methods such as having an open cubicle and encouraging the staff to focus on pleasing as many of the customer needs as possible would need many powers of persuasion. Only some of the customers bought into her plan. A good portion of her staff was not convinced either. She had a good reputation but unorthodox tactics. Hopefully her “renowned people skills” would work for her. (Kinicki/Williams, 2006) 3. Which of the leadership traits discussed in 14. 2 are displayed by Fudge? Ann Fudge had to be honest, the first personality trait perspective on Kouzes & Posners list, otherwise she would have been a failure.
Her work history showed she was “competent, forward-looking, inspiring, and intelligent; traits (that managers) looked for and admired in their superiors” (Kinicki/Williams, 2006). Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WWP Group PLC, saw that Ms Fudge had excellent leadership traits. That’s why he called her. Larry Brossidy, an expert in developing candidates who can help turn around a company, looks for traits such as; ability to execute, a career runway, which means the candidate has plenty room to run in their career path ahead of them, a team orientation, and multiple experience.
According to our study, Fudge displayed these traits throughout the twenty-five years she worked before her first retirement. Daniel Goleman’s study rated emotional intelligence as the one factor that separates leaders. “Emotional intelligence is; (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) social awareness, and (4) relationship management. As a star performer, Ms Fudge consistently displayed these traits. A black women in an executive position, Ann Fudge had to face even tougher obstacles than her peers, still she excelled.
Fudge shows an astute ability to read and control her emotions, maintain her focus and maintain an honest appraisal of her own ego and self-worth. Ms Fudge had first hand experience in managing social awareness and the need for creative relationship management. “Fudge says she is used to being under estimated”. (Kinicki/Williams, 2006) Through tact more than might Ms Fudge navigated the business world. She is clearly a good communicator who knows how to follow through decisions and engage others. 4. To what extent is Fudge using the full range of leadership? Explain. Fudge’s skills would be considered transformational.
One testimonial comes from “her boss, Robert S. Morrison, president of General Foods USA, and he’ll commend Fudge’s performance: “As a business leader, Ann combines a very forceful personality with a great sensitivity to people. She relies heavily on a team approach to achieving business goals. Ann has positively affected every area she’s been in [at General Foods]. ” Another quote from the same article states that Fudge is “a master at predicting the needs of her market, the 43-year-old Harvard M. B. A. explains that her key to being a good leader always hinged on giving the team basic direction and letting them run with the ball. (Reynolds, 1994) As our textbook states; “transformational leadership transforms employees to pursue organizational goals over self interest. ” (Kinicki/Williams, 2006) These skills are needed to produce significant organizational change. Fudge is also adept at transactional leadership. She knows how to clarify employee roles and requirements and establishes her position through rewards and punishments. 5. Evaluate the extent in which Fudge has displayed the components of Level 5 leadership? Throughout this assignment we have covered many of basic traits necessary to reach the Level 5 leadership potential.
We’ve seen that Ms Fudge has a fiercely driven work ethic that is centered on energizing her people and engaging them to work in units. She has shown how she is capable at organizing the necessary people and resources to ensure success. She has the skills to manage the landscape of people and the problems that come along with them effectively. She has helped to steer a previous failure towards success. This covers the first four levels of our hierarchy. The key to Level 5 leadership is a manager’s ability to “build(s) enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will”. Kinicki/Williams, 2006) It has been found through Jim Collins’ work that leaders must possess all of these capabilities to reach Level 5. From what I have read about Ms Fudge it appears that she has managed to maintain a lid on her ego enough to meet the criteria for level 5. This is the deciding factor. Paradoxical is a good word when describing the two necessary traits; fearless will to succeed, as well as capabilities and humility. I think of humble people as shy, here we don’t mean shy at all. Most great people (and even not so great) have difficulty overlooking the results of their actions and handing over the acclaim to others.
Most people want and need confirmation. I am wondering if humility can be a learned trait or does it come simply from experience and practice. I happen to know only a couple of people with these traits and I find it refreshing and inspirational whenever I am in their presence. I think Ms Fudge could be considered an historic figure in the business world because of the way she has handled herself and because of the way she has taught and inspired others. I think she fulfills Mr. Collins’ checklist and gets the grade as Level 5 leader.
She may not have the same impact on human history as Abraham Lincoln but she obviously attended the same school as him. References Kinicki/Williams (2006) “management: a practical introduction”/McGraw-Hill/ “Saks Fifth Avenue & Roche Diagnostics Use Employee Surveys to Boost Employee Engagement” (p. 446, 477, 450, 451, 472) Reynolds, Rhonda (1994) “Black Enterprise”/All Business a D&B Company/ “Ann M. Fudge: brewing success; the newest chief executive at General Foods USA is on a mission”/ retrieved from: http://www. allbusiness. com/specialty-businesses/minority-owned-businesses/450441-1. html (10/10/09)