Richard Branson Shoots for the Moon

Richard Branson Shoots For The Moon

1. Would you classify Richard Branson as a manager or a leader? What qualities distinguish him as one or the other?

"Leadership is often associated with words like risk taking, dynamic, creativity, change, and vision." (Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy, 2011, p.8). In my personal opinion, Mr. Branson acquires all these qualities and more. In the beginning of his career, Branson started with a vision that he soon put to work: is own magazine. In his teen, he took a risk and showed his creativity by generating a unique magazine in which that was different from the others. He had a brilliant idea; he focused on the student's needs and interests, which would later be the cause of his success with the magazine. The great thing about Richard Branson is that he didn't just stop there; he continued on with his visions and ideas. Branson later expanded the Virgin brand by producing a record company, airlines, hotels, etc. What I personally admire about his story and success is that he's risk taker. I believe that his success wasn't only just because he's a risk taker or has superb ideas, but that he connects with the public rather well; he is exciting, smart, and has a contagious dynamic personality.

2. As mentioned earlier in this chapter, followers are part of the leadership process. Describe the relationship between Branson and his followers.

Branson is obviously successful because he has such a good and close relationship with his followers. "He relies on his skills of empowering people's ideas to become successful." (Hughes, Ginett & Curphy, 2011, p.38). He listens and supports his colleagues and encourages them to work their own ideas. He always listens to those who come to him with prodigious ideas. "Good leaders are those who build teams and get results across a variety of situations." (Hughes, Ginnett & Curphy, 2011, p.5) I believe that he is profitable because he is an open-minded person who is willing to expand on ideas for his and his follower's satisfaction.

3. Identify the myths of leadership development that Richard Branson's helps to disprove.

When it comes to leadership development, there tend to be beliefs that limit people's perspective of what is needed for good leadership. Richard Branson is a great example of how these is just myths, a popular unverifiable belief around something or someone. A popular myth is that leaders are born not made. Branson help disprove this belief because, he was born with dyslexia, a disability in which would be a set back for a leader. Because of his disability, " he dropped out of school when he was 16 years old" (Sir Richard Branson, 2013, The Biography Channel Website, p 1) and took it upon himself