I stumbled upon this article by accident on forbes.com, and it happened to relate to a lot of leadership topics we have discussed in class. It also relates to The Good and The Future parts of our blog theme.
Have you heard of Nancy Brinker? Honestly, I did not know who that was, but I certainly know Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Brinker is actually CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure and is Susan's sister. She has held many leadership positions in the past. These include U.S. Ambassador for Hungary, Chief U.S. Protocol under the Bush Administration, and perhaps her largest role being CEO and founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For the past 34 years she has been working on the deathwish of her sister. She is on a mission to cure breast cancer.
Who are her followers? When we discuss followers in class it usually pertains to subordinates or those in the same organization. While those people are followers in this case, her followers are also ordinary people like you and me. Have you ever given money to this cause? It does not have to be a straight donation, but haven't you ever bought a breast cancer shirt, wristband, or anything for that matter? Those people are followers too. Without those people her organization would not be around.
Brinker is a transformational leader. According to Northouse, "transformational leadership is the process whereby a person engages with others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower. This type of leader is attentive to the needs and motives of the followers and tries to help them reach their fullest potential" (172). There is no doubt that she has engaged with others and created a connection. Proof of that is the internationally recognized pink ribbon. It is hard to go shopping without seeing that symbol. Furthermore, when we see that symbol we know exactly what it stands for without thinking. The symbol is on cereal boxes, North Face jackets, and television programs, to name a few. If a family member or friend dies of breast cancer often I have seen tattoos of the pink ribbon. When followers buy the product they feel like they are doing their part and making a difference because part of that money goes to the cause. Brinker raises the hopes of billions of people that one day breast cancer will be cured. She realizes and pays attention to the needs of her followers as her organization provided 700,000 mammograms and helped over 100,000 victims with social and financial support.
As we know factor four of the transformational factors is individualized consideration. After reading the article I immediately thought of this factor because it represents leaders who provide a supportive climate in which they listen to their followers' needs. No one was there for her sister during her battle with breast cancer. In turn, she wants to be there in anyway she can for the victims, and she also wants her followers who are not cancer victims to show support. Brinker says, "We have a very special talent as an organization to understand that people with breast cancer need a community. You have to bring people into the community with hope, an understanding of your mission and an ability to have them join the effort. People want to do something about this."
I feel like this article has a lot of topics for everyone to address. I focused on transformational leadership to start out, but I also think Brinker exhibits authentic leadership as well. What do you guys think?
I definitely agree with you Stephanie when you address transformational leadership. Brinker also fulfills 'inspirational motivation' as a part of transformational leadership. She communicates high expectations to followers, inspires them through motivation to become committed in this cause, and to be part of a shared vision in the organization.
ReplyDeleteThe developmental definition of authentic leadership is described as leadership that develops in people over a lifetime and can be triggered by major life events, such as a severe illness or new career. I believe it took something as tragic as Brinker's sisters death to have Brinker come forward as a leader through this cause. It also falls under the interpersonal definition, which is defined as a leadership that does not result from the leader's efforts alone, but also from the response of the followers. Brinker's company would not be as successful if it weren't for the company's many supporters.
Can you guys think of any other aspects of authentic or transformational leadership that apply to Brinker?
I definitely agree with the developmental definition of authentic leadership because if it were not for her sister's death she probably wouldn't have been as motivated to do something about breast cancer. I think from an intrapersonal perspective she exhibits genuine leadership and leads from convinction. She is an original, not a copy. She has paved the way for many other charities and organizations for a cause. She bases her actions on her values. Many corporations join in on the breast cancer cause by putting the logo on their products and having a portion go to breast cancer. Brinker and her team choose the right organizations who truly believe in the cause and effort and want to make an impact. Brinker has a clear idea of who she is, where she is going, and what the right thing is to do. She would never compromise her values. Other factors influence authentic leadership too. She has confidence because she believes that her effort can find a way to cure breast cancer. She has hope that one day breast cancer will not be a problem and it will be cured. She is optimistic. Curing breast cancer is such a large goal, but the results are there. She is making progress with the help of her followers. She is resilient. Instead of wishing breast cancer had not taken her sister from her she is doing something about it.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Waluba and associates (2008), Brinker certainly possesses key components of authentic leadership. First she has very much self-awareness. She has a clear sense of who she is and what she stands for. She definitely has a strong anchor for her decisions and actions. Secondly, Brinker has internalized moral perspective. Her actions are very consistent with her expressed beliefs and morals. Third off, she has great relational transparency. She consistently shares and works from her feelings,motives, with others in a very appropriate manner, working for the cure! These are three of the four huge factors that Brinker posseses showing true authentic leadership.
ReplyDeleteCan anyone draw connections to the Trait approach presented in chapter 2 of Northouse? Brinker certainly posses many great personality factors and traits mentioned in that chapter. Can you pick out which would best apply and how this may show her success?
ReplyDeleteAs we learned from the trait theory, one of the criticisms is that the list of leadership traits and characteristics is so vast. However, when looking at the major leadership traits presented in Table 2.2 in Northouse, Brinker possesses many of these. Intelligence, self-confidence, determination, integrity, and sociability are the five major leadership traits. Brinker is very intelligent as she has held many leadership positions and knows what it takes. She also knows a lot about the process breast cancer victims go through. She knows all about breast cancer prevention and testing. I would say she has self-confidence because she is certain enough about her competencies and skills that she believes her organization can cure breast cancer. Also, "self-confidence allows the leader to feel assured that her attempts to influence others are appropriate and right" (20). She is determined. Her goal is to cure breast cancer, and she involved people all over the world in doing so. She is very persistent. Although many people still die of breast cancer every year she does not give up. She has integrity because people trust her and know she is an honest person. They trust that the money that is raised is going to a good cause. She is "loyal, dependable, and not deceptive." What do you guys think for sociablity?
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