UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA PERLIS

SCHOOL OF BUSINESS INNOVATION AND TECHNOPRENEURSHIP

SEMESTER 2: ACADEMIC SESSION 2019/2020

BFT 316: LEADERSHIP IN ORGANIZATION

NAME : ARCHANAA A/P PADMANATHAN

MATRIC NUMBER : 171221828

GROUP : 21 B

DR. MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN

LECTURER :
MOHD KASSIM

SUBMISSION DATE : 22 MAY 2020

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO CONTENTS PAGE NUMBER

1 INTRODUCTION 1-3

2 DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LEADER CHARACTERISTICS 4–8

3 ANALYSIS OF OWN SELF AS A LEADER 9 – 12

4 CONCLUSION 13

5 REFERENCE 14
 1. INTRODUCTION
BARACK
HUSSEIN
U.S. President Barack Obama the first Black President, who was captured the American
hearts through his unique rhetorical style, his vision and leadership style. Barack Obama’s
Visions, such as the adopting of change, where it was expressed in his presidential election
campaign in 2008 “yes we can”, also his slogan in the second presidential campaign elections in
2012 “forward”, where Obama was referring to the continuance of success (Hanson, 2014). The
choice of U.S President Barack Hussein Obama's leadership style in this study in order to bridge
the theory and practice of leadership. A set of challenges, which represented in events of
September eleventh 2001, the changes that took place in US foreign policy, security challenges.
The selection of President Obama as president of the United States and representative of the
Democratic Party, as well as the first black president was a great challenge, where it will fall
upon himself to handle all the sterile policies approved by the former president. (Cohen, Bond &
Fleisher, 2013). Here, the study will investigate the background of U.S President Barack
Obama, and the analysis his contributions as a leader of the country .Besides that, the analysis of
leadership behaviour and leadership traits, as well offer theories that explain the leadership style
of President Obama in an attempt to bridge between theory and leadership practices.

1.1 Leader Biography

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 Barack Hussein Obama, born in Hawaii in August 4th, 1961, from an American mom and
a Kenyan father, he moved at the age of six to live in Indonesia along with his mom after her
separation from his father. As a young boy living amongst numerous cultures and religions,
Obama's attention begins the formation. The variety that surrounded him due to the fact that
childhood, has created a one-of-a-kind imaginative and prescient of life, Where the black and
white, Muslim, Christian and agnostic are equal, they may be all human beings. At age 11, his
mom despatched him to Hawaii to stay with her mother and father. Obama became one in every
of simplest 3 college students inside the school of African descent, he changed into aware and
privy to racism on account that a completely early age (Brown, 2011).

Obama studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles, then moved after 3 years to New
York to examine political science at Colombia University, majoring in global relations, to sign
up for then at Harvard regulation faculty and graduated with distinction. As nicely as Obama's
victory inside the election as a President of the regulation review Magazine, which posted with
the aid of the University, as a consequence Obama became the primary Africans Americans
presides over the mag, which drew the attention of the media and politicians, also helped him to
sign a contract for his first e-book on race relations, which fast unfold at lightning velocity
(Hanson, 2014).

Obama celebrity emerged amongst intellectuals and the media, from the moment he
chaired the Law magazine, where he offered the primary task, to work as a network organizer in
the suburb of marginalized Chicago, inhabited by way of Africans and poor humans. Obama
controlled to meet the demands and desires of his network, which brought about growth his
popularity, and catching interest an increasing number of (Salek, 2016). A continuation of the
successes, Obama decided to run for the USA Senate election, mainly after the promotion of
these around him, such a flow become not trivial in any respect, but his notion in himself driven
him to run the election and win it, to grow to be a member of the USA Senate within the nation
of Illinois.

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 One of the maximum vital positions of Obama throughout his carrier within the U.S.
Senate, his position at the struggle in Iraq, which attract us society, while he declared his
opposition to Bush's decision to apply pressure in opposition to Iraq, at a rally in the Federal
Plaza in Chicago in October 2002. He famously positioned it: 'I'm not in opposition to the war,
I'm in opposition to dumb wars.' he mentioned that American refuses to sacrifice its soldiers for
personal agendas (Cohen, Bond & Fleisher, 2013). Undoubtedly, Obama's carrier inside the
Senate became an introduction and pave the manner for waging the presidential election, and has
already introduced his goal to run for the presidency.

Where the gathering of many around him because of his positions, which led him to start
strongly in the presidential race, in which he won by means of a slim margin against John
McCain in the 2008 election, and hence have become the first president of an African-American,
and gained the presidential election in 2012 against Mitt Romney by means of a large margin.
Despite all of boundaries and challenges, but the U.S President Obama has taken all these
limitations as a motivation to show himself, waging a marketing campaign of alternate and
reform in all corners of American society, focused particularly on schooling, fitness care and the
financial system (Brown, 2011).

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2. DISCUSSION ABOUT THE LEADER’S CHARACTERISTICS

2.1 Personal Characteristics of Leadership

The personality traits that characterize the President Obama's personality (Salek,
2016), which constitute the most important tenets of leadership personality:

1. President Obama's personality relies on estimating matters realistic orientation

more than ideological-orientation.
2. President Obama rational personality is often counted on peaceful settlements in
conflict resolution.
3. President Obama personality tends to tasks-oriented more than relationship-
oriented.
4. President Obama gives the priority mainly to goals achievements, and less
attention to the affiliation and then power.
5. Precision, where the President relies on himself in collecting information from
different sources, and less reliance on advisers and assistants.
6. President Obama relies on the persuasion policy using his personal skills in
rhetoric, and the logical argument, wisdom, and knowledge.
7. President Obama does not give up easily, where he is benefiting from his good
negotiation and conflict resolution skills and his ability of persuasion.
8. President has a strong personality, self-reliant in defending his policies more than
relying on assistants, where the vice-president tasks are absent in most cases.
9. Superior skills in public speaking.
10. Quiet personality and a good listener.
11. President Obama shows a lot of interest in family values and morality, family
welfare, and family relations (Salek, 2016).

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2.2 Bridging Theory and Practice Leadership Analysis

The title of the United States President requires different styles of leadership,
where the personality of the President leader must be present in all situations and
crises. In addition to leading a large country sits on top of the world, has a complex
organizational structure, deals with many issues on several levels, external and
internal levels. Furthermore, dealing with internal issues concerning the Americans
well-being, and at the same time, cooperation and coordination with legislative
powers, the judiciary, and the media, require a strong, dynamic and influential leader.
This section will link between the Theory and Practices of President Obama’s
leadership style, by discussing the impact of personal characteristics of President
Obama on his leadership styles and Practices from a theoretical perspective. Obama's
leadership styles and practices can be summarized in the following theoretical
frameworks:

1. Charismatic-transformational

President Obama's personality marked with the aid of a charismatic figure, which
delivered the attention of Americans, in addition to foreigners, in which he has the
very best ability to carry others to his aspect and to perform tasks successfully (Popa,
Hazel, Whatley, Andenoro & Crandall, 2011). Reference to Obama's presidential
marketing campaign in 2008 shows how he become in a position trap the young
human beings to volunteer in his campaign, and the way Change icon have become
voiced by way of a young people in America and out of doors America, which it has
had a sizeable effect at the influential politicians’ considerations in guide of Obama's
candidacy at some point of the presidential elections, the first and the second
campaign (Hanson, 2014). Where Obama seen by many of experts a transformational
chief, because of his potential to deliver change to the electoral recreation, from
birthday celebration consultant receiving support from party, to a celebration leader,
due to his capability to manual the desire of the general public, and shake up the inner
and external affairs (Takala, Tanttu, Lamsa & Virtanen, 2013).

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2. Cross-cultural leadership

US President Obama has worked hard to enhance the America's photo in the front
of the humans and leaders international, in which America have misplaced a whole
lot of their brightness due to the leadership of former President George W. Bush the
son and his administration (Wright, Moynihan & Pandey, 2012). President Obama
has followed different techniques to bring him toward other cultures, in which his
interests extended into international issues of humanity, and the policy was not
constrained best to the interests of Americans however widened to encompass
troubles and concerns of other nations (Quader, 2011). As properly, Obama laboured
to enhance United States image overseas, by touring many of overseas international
locations, and be aware of the cultural requirements and norms of these peoples.
President Obama is giving greater interest to improving America's family members
with the nations through consensual rules, wherein President Obama's non-public
traits performed a crucial position to approach to human beings of other countries.
While a few considered that the weakness in Obama's leadership changed into the
purpose of inflamed battle within the Middle East and the unfold of terrorist
businesses in Iraq and Syria, furthermore, the United States have given up most of
their management roles for the benefit of Russia (Hanson, 2014).

3. Contingency Theories

Nobody denied the tough segment whilst President Obama took over the
presidency of the US, together with the worldwide recession, inner monetary issues,
and excessive unemployment. President Obama has proven specific leadership in
handling emergency conditions whilst he stands strongly to bring the important
adjustments and compelled the auto factories such as Ford and GMC on the adoption
of latest requirements, in which he turned into capable of create greater than 340,000
jobs. Moreover, President Obama lodges to presidential orders whilst Congress

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 refuses to work with him that allows you to obtain his guarantees to the electorate, no
matter the excellent oppositions in Congress (Tourish, 2014).
2.3 Leader’s Contributions

A. Obama’s Accomplishments at the national level

1. Economic Accomplishments

a. Economic Stimulus: Congress passed the stimulus package proposed by

Obama and which amounted to $787 billion, which had a direct impact in
stimulating GDP growth.
b. Auto Industry Bailout: The US government bailout major auto Industries
General Motors and Chrysler, where the government invested a total $ 80
billion and consequently led to increasing the profits of this sector and create
more than 340,000 jobs.

2. Employment

a. Cut unemployment in Half: Where unemployment fell from 10% in 2010 to

5% in 2014.
b. Extend Unemployment Benefit: Extension of unemployment benefits to 72 a
week to more than 2.5 million more unemployed.

3. Education Accomplishments

a. Education competitive grants: provide $4.35 billion for education reform.

b. Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act: new rules and regulations for free food,
increase spending nutrition by $4.5 billion.

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B. Obama’s accomplishments at the international level

1. Environment Global Worming Accomplishments

a. Carbon Dioxide: Recognition of the dangers of the carbon dioxide, and
perceived as a contaminant element, and guarantee new protection laws in the
year of 2009.
b. Renewable energy technology. Increased investment in renewable technology,
and uses of clean energy.
c. Closing Dirtiest Power Plants: Impose restrictions on power plants to reduce
the emission of toxic gasses and mercury and protect the environment.
d. Protect wildlife and marshes.

2. Security, Peace and Counterterrorism Accomplishments

a. Unify efforts to fight terrorism.

b. Stop the threat of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.
c. The elimination of Osama bin Laden.

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3. ANALYSIS OF OWN SELF AS A LEADER

Based on the above proposals on the reform of leadership style will focus on two
foundations, global leadership, internal leadership.

On a global scale that the proposals focus on creating a balance between the powers and
interests, through an equivalent level of international powers. Leaders need to develop a
global vision and be able to effectively create an independent strategic environment, and this
independence is the result of the value system and the nature of cultural sensitivity (Hanson,
2014). Which that can be done through the following:

a. Control of the differences and contradictions, and diligence to create a balance

between the major powers in the world.
b. Transcend the national ideological affiliations to serve the global ideology of equal
humanity.
c. Coordination between the various regional parties in a common framework.
d. Management of internal crises and control it, in order not reflect on our foreign
relations.
e. The awareness of the existence of common development factors among countries.

As it stated inside the preceding phase that the character of President Obama
characterised through a sturdy character, and a self-reliant in protecting his guidelines, extra
than rely on his assistants, and giving precedence to the achievements, after which affiliation
and power. In return, Behavioural Theories to investigate and speak a way to leaders behave
all through the choice-making method, the technique of choices implementation, and
expectancies in collaboration. The Behavioural Theories propose 3 styles of conduct,
wherein the leaders are Autocratic, or Democratic, or Laissez-faire (Tourish, 2014).

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 I myself prefer more to be a democratic leaders. It is because democratic leaders stems
from persuasion and cite statistics and methods considered individuals' feelings and lead
them to feel their dignity and significance (Tourish, 2014). Democratic leader elicits the
perspectives of his followers, expressing their ideas, offer them with necessary records and
instructions, plays a lively position inside the development of creativity and cooperation,
moreover, release of subordinates’ potential and their potential talents (Takala, Tanttu,
Lamsa & Virtanen, 2013). The democratic leadership style permits leaders to get the
cooperation and guide needed under the presence of a strong competition. Consequently, we
find that the transformational chief ought to get the whole assist to obtain an effective
leadership, and which need to be bendy in managing others beneath multi-tasking and multi-
electricity machine. Some of persona traits can also sweeps the transformational chief
functions, and flip the chief to an Autocratic chief (Tourish, 2014).

As an overall statement, if I were put in the same situation as the leader I could make a
stronger impact on the followers and the situation as stated below:

a. Expanding the decision-making circle, and to staying away from the

centralization, in an attempt of getting the greater participation of all political
and civil forces as a transformational democratic leader.
b. The need not speed up the decision-making process and giving more attention to
harmonizing the decisions with the perceptions of the largest number of
influential powers.
c. By giving the opposition powers the ability to participate and contribute in
decision-making.
d. Taking into account the values and beliefs and perceptions of the opposition
forces.
e. Work to show interest in achieving the interests of all groups, and work on
pursuing a win-win policy as much as possible.
f. Work on the change but a gradual change to minimize resistance.
g. Pursuing policies that would achieve the welfare and prosperity for the citizens.

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 In addition, I will recognition on solving the socio-economic challenges inside the
country. I draw notion from the concepts on Nelson Mandela “to dream big, stroll to freedom, to
be resistant, to sell equality, and uphold endurance and self-assurance”. I have a vision of a
kingdom wherein all residents might be given due respect; no matter sex, ethnicity, or disability.
I will paintings with communities to relieve poverty and make sure that every family has meals
on their desk. I will inspire all residents to play their element in facilitating economic growth,
social safety, and environmental sustainability.

I will make a dedication to the united states-stage implementation of global and nearby
declarations, agendas and techniques. I’d invest in the socioeconomic empowerment and
political illustration, participation, management, involvement and significant engagement of
younger human beings and women. Science, era and inclusive innovation through schooling,
would be a countrywide agenda and I’d commit to the prioritization of the health and wellbeing
agenda of every girl, every infant and each adolescent everywhere. The protection of human
rights of all residents and non-nationals would be at the coronary heart of improvement and
development. Ensuring the kingdom is aware the constitution and relative legal guidelines, I
could undertaking violations and contact for policies which might be more responsive, inclusive,
and holistic and for “all of us”. I’d inspire young people-led entrepreneurship, intercontinental
change, and infrastructural improvement by way of making an investment in holistic high-quality
rural and township development. Most importantly, I could serve (now not rule) through the
basis of equality.

Counter intolerance and extremism in all its forms. Almost the entirety nowadays have
reached its tipping factor. When I study politics, the arena is now extra divided than united.
When I look into the economy, there are clear gaps between the rich and negative. When I
investigate ideology, faiths, and ideals are being manipulated. There are continually two
extremes. I might try really tough to promote moderation in the country. The concept of
moderation embraces a huge variety of issues, from religion, social justice and political systems
to the demanding situations that the worldwide economic system faces. I could lead by example

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and pick to practice moderation in my thoughts and actions instead of simply speak me
approximately it.

I will push tax reforms on monopolies in Malaysia to help small and medium-sized firms
flourish. I might create easier overseas funding rules in education and scientific studies,
encouraging businesses to create R&D centres in Malaysia, beginning opportunities for repressed
talent. I might create open-market regulations, pushing innovation and innovators in addition,
giving them get admission to right equipment. I would create approaches which stopped
corruption, and assist to rescue tasks from crumbling because of loss of investment. But to begin
with, through a big country wide campaign with all personal, public and social palms on deck, I
might work non-prevent to lessen our illiteracy price at least with the aid of 1/2 before hoping to
peer the alternative modifications emerge.

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 4. CONCLUSION

As a conclusion, evidence from analysis suggests that Barack Obama has efficiently
navigate his very own narcissism thru a adulthood and clear self-identification. This maturity and
self-identity has helped him to forge a charismatic leadership style that is basically
transformational. The critique of Barack Obama has lead me to refine my very own management
position in a single predominant way; I will attempt to be greater mature about my very own
narcissism; recognising it and attempting to show it into effective narcissism via channelling my
very own self-belief into positive effects for others (Maccoby, 2003). Barack Obama is a master
of persuasion and has crafted a Cult of Obama who idolises him as both a close to non-secular
saviour of American ideals and a Civil Rights activist. His effective use of facilitation, and
reticence in using domination, have endeared him to the worldwide community. Barack Obama’s
breadth of enjoy and high-quality power presentations have created a world chief past his
function of President of the United States. He is a frontrunner a good way to be respected for
centuries, he is a pacesetter that knows his limits, he is a pacesetter that has excelled in
cementing his very own legacy as perhaps the maximum beloved and stage headed president of
the remaining century.

Finally, as a leader, one must be able to get humans to comply with him. A leader should
have certain man or woman developments. But the most critical characteristics a leader ought to
have in these days’ society are, an imaginative and prescient, willpower and integrity. A leader
must have a vision to where he can see his achievement. This factor means he has the power to
be successful and fulfil his imaginative and prescient. He cannot sit and just hope for something
to show up. A chief need to also have the aid of the people. A chief is a function version. One
who sets superb examples for others, a frontrunner who doesn’t have the inducement, appreciate,
and the proper thoughts-set will no longer and can't do properly in office. It’s the ones who see

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the sector as an optimist who will make extraordinary leaders. A chief need to additionally have
the willpower to gain and prepare a better government. A leader can't be a slacker. He should be
a person who is “on pinnacle of their sport”

5. REFERENCES

1. Brown, C. B. (2011). Barack Obama as the great man: communicative constructions

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2. Clawson, J. G. (2012). Level three leadership: Getting below the surface (5th ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-
statements/

3. Cohen, J. E., Bond, J. R., & Fleisher, R. (2013). Placing presidential-congressional

relations in context: a comparison of Barack Obama and his predecessor. Polity, (1),
105. Retrieved from

“http://search.proquest.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/docview/1284724046?
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4. Green, D. D., & Roberts, G. E. (2012). Transformational leadership in aPostmodern

world: the presidential election of Barack Obama. Academy Of Strategic
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82-a3bc-45b0-babe-e34e14743bc0%40sessionmgr106&vid=33&hid=120

5. Maccoby, M. (2003). The productive narcissist: the promise and peril of visionary
leadership. New York: Broadway Books. (Original work published 2000)

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https://leadinglearners.wordpress.com/leading-learners-online-magazine/barak-
obama-transformational-and-charismatic-leader/

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