Metro Bank

1. Describe how Marsha utilized the four leadership roles (visionary/strategist, organisation builder, communicator/motivator and decision maker) after identifying the issues at Metro Bank.

Marsha utilized the role of a visionary/strategist by searching for a unique vision for the branch office that would integrate the needs of her employees with the objectives of the executive development program. Vision creates a blueprint of what an organization will be like in the future. By creating this unique vision she was able to identify the improvements which were needed as well as give her employees goals to work towards by formulating the strategic objective, to be the branch that best develops managerial talent while offering quality customer service. As a strategist, Marsha took full responsibility in aligning the organization to its vision while constantly working towards aligning her vision.

Organization builders develop company values and culture, establish ethical practices and set the example. Company culture is established by its values, beliefs and principles. Marsha came into Metro bank and created a culture that enabled development opportunities for growth allowing employees to feel proud of their advancement. She created a culture where employees went from previously feeling demoralized to feeling proud and improved morale.

Communicators and motivators need to decide how to communicate the vision within the organization. They establish strategic priorities as well as open communication channels, empower employees and reward positive behaviour.

Marsha led as a communicator and motivator by firstly formulating a strategic objective in line with her unique vision for the organization. With this she repeatedly stressed the objective through her actions and her words. In addition, she built rewards into the appraisal system for employees who assisted others, so that they received some benefit by contributing to the objective.

She has also encouraged empowerment by delegating assistant managers to represent at meetings or carry out managerial responsibility, therefore giving them the ability to make job related decisions and build self confidence.

Decision makers can positively or negatively influence an organization, as leaders must have the ability to make tough choices, defend decisions and be able to analyse what is wrong and point out the risk.

After Marsha spent her initial months analyzing staff performance and learning that her staff were capable to do more than they were at the time, her decision to actively pursue setting out the strategic objective. In addition, she initiated development opportunities for her employees and instituted cross training. Even though the initial situation was low morale and low productivity, she had a vision for her organization and decided to continue with the tough decision of trying to align her employees as close as possible.