Leadership Integration Project Deliverable For Unilever Company

Background of the Organisation

Discuss about the Leadership Integration Project Deliverable for Unilever Company.

For an organisation to succeed it is necessary that leadership skills within a group contribute to the success that include creativity and undertaking of challenging activities (Fairhurst & Connaughton, 2014). Hence, based on the issues and facts it is necessary that operations within an organisation be strategically analysed so that proper leadership can take place. The research helps in defining the leadership attributes and qualities that are distinct while understanding the strategies undertaken by an organisation. Therefore, a smooth and competitive advantge can be provided so that success in the business can be guaranteed. For the purpose of the research, issues in Unilever are analysed and recommended strategies to be used by the company is provided. The relationship and collaboration that exists between the employees and the employers are analysed in the report.

Unilever is a Dutch company that manufactures retail food and drinks to customers around the world. One of the uniqueness of the Dutch branch of Unilever reveals the outcomes that can be achieved taking into consideration the competitive threat that the company faces in the business market. Products of the company are divided as per the needs of the customers and based on the division of the products Unilever can control the growth of excess competition in the market. The revenue of the company has been constantly on the increase and in 2017; the revenue was US$62.22 billion (Unilever.com, 2018). This suggests that the company have improvement opportunities and takes care of the demands made by the customers.

The product line of the company reveals two strategies that counteract the immense competition that exists in the market and the strategies that are undertaken by the company to solve it (Unilever.com, 2018). The threats of the market can be in the form of external as well as internal competitors. In order to ensure that Unilever maintains its competitive advantage in the market, the company undertakes strategies related to niche marketing, acquisition as well as merger. At the same time, the internal expertise of the company in the form of maintaining leadership can help it to create a workable business environment (Unilever.com, 2018). 

It is important to note that the emerging trends in the current business world require managers to possess exceptional leadership skills. The leadership skills need to be applied in every position in an organisation so that it can manage the departments and ensure that the work in every department is done in a smooth manner. As stated by Bolman and Deal (2017), the method that is needed to build a competent individual or team is crucial for the success of a team. The development of a leadership skill is required for the smooth operation of business and its expansion in the international circuit.

Case Illustration

Therefore, in a company like Unilever the leadership competency that needs to be undertaken promotes the application of leadership skills and knowledge. Designing and competing in a business market require effective leadership skills in business so that a higher order of competency can be applied in a practical manner (Northouse, 2018). The skill-based approach can help Unilever to focus on the integration as well as provide a practise in leadership. Unilever is currently in the process of dealing with plastic beads that cause a great deal of hamper in the Australian environment.

The literature review provides an analysis of the various sources that are present for the effective completion of a research. Empirical evidence is obtained from the analysis of the literature review so that support can be received from the various hypothesis and thesis related to research. In order to understand the relationship and collaboration issues that exist in Unilever, it is necessary that main source of research rests on the application of leadership theories in the market. 

Transformational servant leadership: With the application of transformational servant leadership, new possibilities can be gained that can help in the elevation of performance and help in fulfilling the individual needs of the employees as well as that of the organisation. At the same time, as stated by Heifetz and Linsky (2017), transformational leaders try to align the objectives and goals of an organisation so that individual be it as leaders, groups or larger organisations can work towards developing proper success for organisations. The effort towards innovation and creativity help in the realisation of a shared vision and goal for organisations.

Value-based leadership: According to Champy (2018), value-based leadership is considered as a leadership quality that can stay focused and true to the vision of the individual. This means that every member in the organisation needs to lead one another by staying true to the beliefs so that fundamental values within the organisations can be maintained. The fundamental value of the people does not sway and it is necessary that the principles of the leadership do not vary. The style of leadership may change based on the strategies that are adopted along with the tactics and approaches.

Leadership Ethics: Ethics take into account the desirable values and morals that an individual or society need to follow. Ethics deal with the purity of the individuals and the manner in which the intention of the people can be curved while working in an organisation. According to Renz (2016), ethical leadership can be considered as a guideline towards analysing the good and bad behaviours that determine the specific scenario. It is necessary to correlate ethics with leadership to ensure that specific scenarios are adopted for considering the role and identity of the leaders.

Literature Review

Therefore, skills related to the formation of effective leadership can be undertaken to understand the growth of leaders in the business. These skills are special in considering the main factors that influence the accomplishment of organisations and the manner in which it can achieve its goals and objectives.

Team Leadership: According to Covin and Slevin (2017), team leaders are considered as people responsible for the success of a team by providing proper guidance and provisions. The duty of the team leaders is to motivate the employees and provide instructions regarding the manner in which a person needs to build its operations. A group of individuals that consist of a team take into account the specific results and responsibilities that help an organisation to grow and succeed. The aim is to attain the organisational goals and align with the success of the teams.

Relationships and Collaboration: According to Daft (2014), it is important for organisation to maintain proper relationship with every employee and collaborate with them during team projects. In the same manner, it is important that these relationships be developed by the virtue of trust between the two parties. Hence, it can be said that it is the duty of the leaders to nurture the working environment in such a way that it provides an opportunity of interaction and develop personal relationship between employees.

Cooperation between team members are important for the development of organisational success and at the same time ensure that team members understand the strengths and weakness of one another (Lussier & Achua, 2015). Hence, the full potential of the team members can be unleashed so that the best area of expertise can be exposed in the organisation. Therefore, competency related to the leadership technique can be related to the establishment of relationship and cooperation among the team members. 

Klenke (2016) is of the opinion that leadership skills can vary depending upon the type of organisation and the workability of the employees. Different skills are required for different leadership purposes so that every department in the organisations are provided with various leadership skills for motivating purpose. Therefore, further research can be undertaken so that variation within different organisational level can be maintained. The concept of leadership skills can be tested empirically by adapting different skills for varied purposes in different departments. Therefore, leadership skills can be divided into four strata for the success of the organisations. The four strata by which leadership skills can be analysed include the cognitive, strategic, business and interpersonal skills.

Application of Theories Related to Leadership

As observed by Sanders (2017) use of the intellect can help in the development of qualities that assist in gaining wisdom in the organisations. Hence, new problems can be resolved by the application of models and strategies required for the success of business. At the same time, it has been stated that hypothesis regarding the business acquisitions and strategy skills can help in emerging at the higher levels in an organisation. Wagner (2016) stated that development and improvement of leadership qualities and skills could help in building relationship with the employees.

In order to determine the effects of transformational leadership, Cashman (2017) had made research on more than four hundred organisations. This is mainly because the organisational structure, culture and the manner in which employees work vary across different organisations. Therefore, the research undertaken has helped in determining the effectiveness of transformational leadership and understands the number of organisations that are indulged in the application of the leadership style. As observed by Rosenbach (2018) transformational leadership helps in the development of organisational capability and establishes relationship with market differentiation so that innovation and low cost strategies can be undertaken to enhance the performance of the companies.

As stated by Beck and Cowan (2014) leadership competencies may have a significant impact on the operations of an organisation and the at same time help in the development of competitive strategy. This is mainly because without effective leadership it can be difficult for any organisation and team to continue its progress in the competitive market. Organisational performance can help in improving the identification and development of critical competencies in an organisation.

Rosenbach (2018) is of the opinion that high ordering thinking is a positive sign for the success of an organisation. Without proper thinking and analysis, it can be difficult for organisations to continue with the progress of gaining competitive advantage in the market. At the same time, process can be reviewed for identifying the high potential leaders so that in future development of the people can take place. Therefore, a futuristic view of the condition of the organisation can be considered as a point of analysis for an organisation.

The level of use of competencies in the market can be determined by the level of high order thinking in the organisations. The rating of potentials was common and based on the commonality that exists in the organisations leadership potential can be determined. Northouse (2017) observed that the determination of high potential and statement for the success of process is important for maintaining relationship with the employees. Equity needs to be maintained so that leaders provide an accurate sense of justice towards the employees. Therefore, a competency approach need to be adopted and identified so that high potential can be reached that can lead for a well-perceived development.

Leadership Skills

Focus group can be used for forecasting the change in the management and leadership styles that is adopted in Unilever. Observation made by the researcher about the activities that are used in the organisation for determining the level of leadership competency. This can help in making improvement in the organisation so that proper marketing can take place. Research techniques based on the actions were conducted so that the improvement of the employees can be undertaken.

The section presents the main arguments that are related to the concept of leadership. As such, a synthetic summary can be presented that highlights the manner in which data obtained from various sources can be used to mitigate any doubts and form a proper conclusion while trying to solve a problem. The focus is on Unilever, and the leadership issue that is faced by the organisation.

One of the criteria by which the synthetic summary is based is the application and contribution of team leaders. It has been seen from the analysis of the literature review that the leadership competencies required for building a proper team is the support from the team leaders. Without proper support from the team leader, it can be difficult for any team to participate in projects and become successful.

It has been seen that various factors contribute heavily towards the success of an organisation (Avolio et al., 2017). Factors such as competency of the team leaders, skills and knowledge of the employees and the competency of the organisation as a whole play an important role for the success of an organisation. In the case of Unilever, the accomplishment of the projects undertaken by the company is one of the factors that contribute to its success.

A successful project can be accomplished by relying on the management and the contribution made by the team leaders. Therefore, the support of the team leaders is the main reason for the existence of high performing team in organisations like Unilever. The leadership capabilities that are required for managing and leading high performance teams are analysed by the application of the literary scholars available.

Different values and motives play an important role for the success of an organisation. For team leaders in Unilever achieving high performance require the analysis of cultural backgrounds so that the composition of a team can be determined. This can help in the delegation of work particularly if the demand requires communication with people of the same cultural background. In the case of the leadership issue faced by Unilever on the account of use of plastic beads project managers and team leaders, need to ensure that culturally accepted performance can help creating more success for the organisation.

Boezeman and Ellemers (2014) are of the opinion that leadership styles remain consistent with the type of culture in the nationality. The cultural backgrounds of the leadership capability can be attributed to the capabilities that exist in the market. At the same time, based on the cultural differences, the leadership style may vary. For example, in the case of Unilever the employee working in the United Kingdom receives a more lenient treatment from the leaders than in the United States. Therefore, the expectations of the employees vary across the different protocols in the market. Therefore, it can be said that application of directive leadership style can help in bringing about improvement of employees as well as staffs.

Another analytical dimension is an increased collaboration level can help in the development of teams as well as the organisation in general. Hence, the evidence received about this literary source is mainly from the notion that transparency and openness are two aspects that help in the development of work ethics. Respect and helpful attitude towards one another is another important aspect that can be formed with the effective application of multi team and leaders.

Thus, Unilever can collaborate on the application of the multi team facility and ensure that comprehension between the leaders as well as the employees of the respective team is carried out with the purpose of organisational success. Hence, organisational goals can be carried out with the proper implementation of the multi leadership style.

As stated by Jaques (2017) communication is the fourth aspect that needs to be considered by the leaders for the success of an organisation. This is mainly because effective communication system can help in the development of a proper relationship with the employees and at the same time ensures that effective leadership skills are displayed in the organisation. The manner in which leaders can transfer important news about the team and the policies of the organisation can be done by the use of effective communication system. Some of the manners by which such communication can take place include the use of verbal and non-verbal communication.

Providing training to employees based on the employee training and communication skill may enhance the growth of organisational success. The effective manner in which the team leadership can be involved provides an ability to communicate in a subtle manner in the organisation. As stated by Ford and Harding (2018) effective team leadership can help in the development of Unilever and at the same time ensure that stakeholders provide proper analysis of the style of leadership adopted in the market. The different department in Unilever possess different leadership styles and based on the styles the competency of the organisation is developed. Therefore, it is essential that the manager appoint a competent team leader so that it can provide able support in the progress of the organisation.

My personal action is that I am passionate about conducting experiments with the manner in which I develop my learning style. In my opinion team, building is required for the successful application of resources and at the same time gaining the necessary attention in the organisation. At the same time, I believe that it is a complicated process and involves gaining the attention of the people in a more precise manner. My experiment with different leadership style can help me to develop my personality as well as led me to discover the various manners by which a proper team can be build.

The different abilities possessed by the team members need to be managed in a manner that provides me with an opportunity to progress. In return, I expect the entre support from the team members so that it can deliver the best productivity in the case of being compared with other teams. Hence, I need to formulate plans so that I can execute them based on the success I receive. Therefore, I need to convince my team members to work towards the development of organisational goals.  

I need to analyse the strengths and limitations of my team members so that I can delegate the tasks based on the analysis. This can help me to strive under pressure and ensure that I explore the strengths of the team in a proper manner. The work that I need to distribute will be done on the strengths possessed and only in the case of urgency; I can delegate work that does not reflect the strength of a particular employee. My sole aim is to develop a team that is diverse and can take on any challenge without risks.

I have seen that successful leaders come in varieties and a couple of workplace scenarios can point out evidence about the manner in which leaders can affect the functioning of an organisation. It has been seen that servant leadership is considered as an effective leadership style for the success of an organisation. Therefore, I need to adopt the policy of servant leadership so that I can develop myself in the industry and at the same time, implementation of the leadership style and the competency can help in the development of proper planning in an organisation.

In my opinion the development of a proper action plan for the team, need to be done as soon as possible. Therefore, my aim is to make an action plan within 15 months so that I can see the progress and make proper access about the team. In this regard, I can say that I need to develop and display my abilities as a leader. This can help me to gain control of the employees and earn their trust in my leadership abilities.

In my opinion, I need to keep on the team members and pray towards the success of my team. Therefore, I need to take into consideration challenging tasks and ensure that the situation involved in conducting the tasks is easier. To do so I need to analyse my skills and ensure that I have the knowledge to lead a team in tough circumstances. Therefore, I need to utilise the opportunities that are presented in front of me so that I can attain my goals. This can help me enhancing the leadership qualities and skills and work hard towards the development of the team and the organisation in which I am working.

Conclusion

The assignment has been helpful in understanding the leadership competencies and set up a personal action plan so that the researcher can be effective in implementing leadership qualities. The change in the trends of leadership along with the competency and skills required for success is highlighted in the assignment and the crucial manner in which a team can be developed is provided. The result of the change in leadership and the development of team can help Unilever to become a strong competitive force in the international as well as domestic market. This can be considered as a huge advantage for the company. 

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