MNG3702 topic 2 Assignment 2 Semester 1 2023/2024
Discuss the reasons why leadership is an important driver of strategy implementation. (5)
(answers) The role of leadership in strategy implementation.
1. Leadership drives strategic change.
2. Strategies cannot be implemented in isolation. Someone needs to lead and coordinate this
process.
Leadership is about influencing people so that they perform required tasks and activities.
Effective leaders typically have high levels of emotional intelligence (trait theory/ term social
intelligence is also used)
Leadership is very important for successful implementation. Strategic leadership is the ability to
anticipate, envision, maintain flexibility, and to empower others to create strategic change
necessary.
Leadership is necessary to ensure commitment among internal and external stakeholders to
implement strategies.
2 Discuss the attributes of emotional intelligence. (10) (answers) 1. Self Awareness. The leader
is aware of his/her strengths and weaknesses. They are realistic about their strengths and not over
critical about their weaknesses.
2. Self Regulation. This attribute refers to the extent to which a leader controls their emotions
and not allowing their emotions to control their decisions and actions.
3. Motivation. The drive that a leader has to achieve their predetermined goals. They enjoy
learning and will work hard to overcome challenges that would block the achievement of their
goals.
4. Empathy. The extent to which a leader is considerate of the employee's feelings when making
decisions. The leader also takes into account social and cultural differences of the employees.
5. Social skills. Is about being able to communicate and work with individuals from different
walks of life and being able to motivate them to work towards achieving the predetermined
goals.
3 Discuss the responsibilities of a strategic leader. (6) (answers) Leaders are not only a driving
force behind the strategy implementation initiative but they also need to perform certain tasks
and take responsibility for the performance of activities such as:
1. Communicating the vision and strategic direction to all the employees and other stakeholders
of the organisation.
2. Developing an appropriate vision or strategic direction for the organisation in which as many
stakeholders as possible have participated.
3. Designing appropriate reward systems and organisational structures together with top
management.
4. Developing and maintaining an effective organisational culture.
5. Ensuring with managers that the organisation continually incorporates good corporate
governance principles into its strategies and operations.
6. Inspiring and motivating employees to achieve the strategic goals of the organisation.
Discuss the reasons why leadership is an important driver of strategy implementation. (5)
(answers) The role of leadership in strategy implementation.
1. Leadership drives strategic change.
2. Strategies cannot be implemented in isolation. Someone needs to lead and coordinate this
process.
Leadership is about influencing people so that they perform required tasks and activities.
Effective leaders typically have high levels of emotional intelligence (trait theory/ term social
intelligence is also used)
Leadership is very important for successful implementation. Strategic leadership is the ability to
anticipate, envision, maintain flexibility, and to empower others to create strategic change
necessary.
Leadership is necessary to ensure commitment among internal and external stakeholders to
implement strategies.
2 Discuss the attributes of emotional intelligence. (10) (answers) 1. Self Awareness. The leader
is aware of his/her strengths and weaknesses. They are realistic about their strengths and not over
critical about their weaknesses.
2. Self Regulation. This attribute refers to the extent to which a leader controls their emotions
and not allowing their emotions to control their decisions and actions.
3. Motivation. The drive that a leader has to achieve their predetermined goals. They enjoy
learning and will work hard to overcome challenges that would block the achievement of their
goals.
4. Empathy. The extent to which a leader is considerate of the employee's feelings when making
decisions. The leader also takes into account social and cultural differences of the employees.
5. Social skills. Is about being able to communicate and work with individuals from different
walks of life and being able to motivate them to work towards achieving the predetermined
goals.
3 Discuss the responsibilities of a strategic leader. (6) (answers) Leaders are not only a driving
force behind the strategy implementation initiative but they also need to perform certain tasks
and take responsibility for the performance of activities such as:
1. Communicating the vision and strategic direction to all the employees and other stakeholders
of the organisation.
2. Developing an appropriate vision or strategic direction for the organisation in which as many
stakeholders as possible have participated.
3. Designing appropriate reward systems and organisational structures together with top
management.
4. Developing and maintaining an effective organisational culture.
5. Ensuring with managers that the organisation continually incorporates good corporate
governance principles into its strategies and operations.
6. Inspiring and motivating employees to achieve the strategic goals of the organisation.
