Recognition, Modification, and Influence of Systems

Discuss about the Advanced Leadership and Management for Harvard Business.

The true mark of leadership lies in the capability to recognize, modify and influence systems in an organization for maximum production. Leaders are expected to make sound judgments, using systems thinking, which steers systems into intelligent directions. This is the ability to decide and distinguish between conflicting factors, and make the best choice from the ones presented. A leader is a visionary, a dreamer, a problem solver and an entrepreneur; hence there is a need for workers to implement these dreams. In an organization, the chain of command runs from the top to bottom. Each stage has its duties and people who perform them. For an organization to be successful, each branch should perform the duties delegated to them efficiently (Goleman, 2017, pp. 6). With this knowledge, a performing and efficient leader successfully manages the complexities and solves the problems which occasionally arise in the company. Systems in an organization are made up of people who perform specific tasks to produce results. Some systems are intertwined and depend on each other; hence the absence of one can affect the whole company. Others are independent and removal of one can have little to no effect on the organization. An effective leader understands the nature of the systems in their organization and implements the appropriate measures to ensure smooth flow of work and prevent a breakdown in the production chain (Goleman, 2017, pp. 12).  This paper looks at how systems in an organization can be manipulated, without losing clever and resourceful manpower, incurring unnecessary expenses and effectively destroying the organization.

A good understanding of how different parts of a system depend on each other can help a leader in deciding which parts are disposable and which ones when interfered with can collapse the whole system (Bosch-Sijtsema & Henriksson, 2014, pp. 1415). This means that a close analysis should be done on each and every part, understand its formation and functions and its importance to the whole system. This analysis determines the impact of the removal of a given part of an organization. Some parts of an organization are co-dependent on each other, hence when separated they die. Their contribution cannot be understood in isolation. To understand the nature of this concept, a leader should familiarize them with the work of each system, and bring in board specialists who can advise accordingly on the impact of separation (Grant, 2016, pp. 16)

Importance of Each Branch Performing its Duties Efficiently

Organizations have natural properties which are detrimental to its survival. Effective leaders understand that the component parts of an organization are important and removal can affect the organization in unpredictable ways. In order to improve the operations of a system, it is important to understand the individual components and improve on them. This, in turn, strengthens the whole system. Understanding the natural components helps one to minimize interruptions and changes to the natural components, as once interfered with can cause the collapse of the whole system (Drucker, 2017, pp. 9). Natural components need to be handled with maximum care, with minimum changes done at a specific time. These changes should be timely and well-constructed so that the integrity of the system cannot be compromised.

A clever analysis of market trends can help prevent the collapse of an organization. This means that at times the statistics produced may not be accurate and depending on them to make changes in an organization may cause its downfall (Ross, 2013, pp. 27). No two organizations are the same and hence a research is done and changes made in a different system might not work in another one. When making changes, a good manager should cleverly, slowly and critically analyze their systems over time, make necessary consultations within the systems and from that analysis, draw the most appropriate conclusions (Zafar, Butt & Afzal, 2014, pp. 211).  The manager then uses these conclusions combined with market research to make the right changes which do not affect the system negatively in a long run. One of the best ways to do research in an organization is to do an in-house workers survey. This is because workers are more likely to understand works for an organization better and can point out areas of improvement. It is healthy for a system to allow workers to be able to provide suggestions in a free space, without victimization (Bryson, 2017, pp. 41). 

Performance measurements are very beneficial when done in the right way. Intelligent leaders measure both the performance of individual workers and the measures put into place. During the hiring process, previous performance in the same category in another workplace can determine the production rate of a person. Workers should not be judged on their educational levels but rather their performance. During employment, much consideration should be put on a person’s weaknesses and strengths, and their motivation to succeed in the company.  This pushes them to be more productive so that they can be promoted. However, it is important for a manager to not look down upon workers who are pursuing higher education standards as the knowledge they acquire may help the whole system. Analysis of the performance of individual system parts can determine which parts are working, which ones are facing challenges and where changes are needed either in personnel or working methods. Performance expectations empower employees and managers to change positively (Oakland, 2014, pp.35). Systems performance gets improved by better working experiences and improved performance.

Understanding The Nature of Systems in an Organization

Introduction of a performance-pay method can be a motivating factor. This ensures that systems which work hard and produce positive results are rewarded with incentives such as salary raise, free days off work, reduction in workload or even lesser working hours (Evans & Lindsay, 2013, pp. 15). This means that actual improvement can be done to statistics when workers realize that they have judged on personal performance and not group production. With each worker producing maximally, the whole scheme improves.  And it also means that when the organization has achieved its targets, workers are rewarded accordingly.

Understanding the natural ecological systems means knowing the effect of the surrounding competing factors helps create ways of reducing competition. Understanding markets trends promote the formation of appropriate plans beneficial in enabling the organization to survive hard economic and political periods (Ross, 2015, pp. 79). It implies the striking of a balance between the systems and outside factors. These factors may be the competing companies selling the same products, increase or decrease in revenue, government policies which directly affect the company. It is important for an organization to hire outside help of professionals well acquainted with the economic trends to advise the organization on the appropriate ways of handling some circumstances.

Investing on the personal growth of individuals in all parts of the system; this implies the promotion of beliefs such as love, unity, harmony, collect responsibility, personal initiative and integrity in the working place (Ross, 2015, pp. 79). These virtues promote the overall well-being of the company as workers have a united front and hence the working atmosphere is calm, relaxed and welcoming. In an individual, managers should strive to check on the affairs of their employees. This can be done through the hiring of in-house human resource management team (Siebert & Martin, 2016, pp. 13). Workers should not be overworked or underpaid. Those who are going through personal challenges and trauma should be given the necessary help, both counselling and also personal time off to heal. This creates a working environment free of tension and accommodative to the employees.

Using employee engagement survey to collect and analyze data provided. This information collected should not be implemented without proper analysis and collection of the relevant and actionable data (Ross, 2015, pp. 83). This is because some information provided might be biased and erroneous. The company should provide a platform for employees to both discreetly and openly give suggestions on the running of the company while pointing out areas which need improvement. An efficient management is accommodative, open to criticism and appreciative of the ideas presented to them. This increases the employees working morale as they feel appreciated in the workplace (Siebert & Martin, 2016, pp. 15).

Analyzing Individual System Components

The preservation of local jobs and fostering local technology development in the system, in order to keep up with the changing trends; Organizations go through tough economic and political times and this might affect its production (Thamhain, 2013, pp. 24). It is important for an organization to ensure that these interferences affect minimally its parts and workers. This means the provision of job security to the workers when the company is facing down lows. With the changing trends in world technological trends, it is important for a company to invest in a good social media liaison and a marketer to promote their ideas and products (Abii, Ogula & Rose, 2013, pp. 723). Keeping up with the changes ensures that the organization remains relevant in a very competitive field.

There should be regular maintenance and analysis of the movable parts of an organization to ensure efficiency. This means a regular checkup of the performance of each system in an organization. These checks ensure that workers are kept on their toes at all times to perform, while at the same time removing those who underperform. A good management system works hard and pushes the workers to perform even harder. They lead by example both in performance and utilization of resources. Formation of closed networks in the system promotes cooperation and production (Siebert & Martin, 2016, pp. 17).

Avoid enormous short-term contracts of workers who are employed under contract. This destabilizes the whole system, as it is devoid of consistency. During the hiring process, an organization can open up chances for permanent employment and employ based on qualifications and performance (Thomas & Lazarova, 2013, pp. 51).  Lack of stability becomes evident to customers and may affect the productivity. Long-term contracts are able to understand deeply the way an organization works and they settle down and strive to grow the institution. Too much time and resources are wasted on the hiring and training of new staff after every short period of time. Customers also find this inconsistency infuriating and unstable.

Understanding the minds of leaders, politicians, consultants and executives, what they plan to gain from the organization (Klein, Wallis & Cooke, 2013, pp. 222). The endgame is very important. Politicians have a narrow perspective of events and cannot understand how their conspiracies and con games can have far-reaching consequences for the performance and success of the company. An efficient manager aligns themselves with these leaders with the aim of understanding their interest in the company and looking for ways to benefit the organization. This may include gaining platform to air their products to a bigger audience and financial support to the company. 

Understanding the Natural Components

Good leadership is about clarity and the truth. It confronts people with the truth no matter how uncomfortable it may be. This is because lies and cover-ups often hide so much dirt. Even the brightest and most educated of leaders are susceptible to lies which hurt specific parts of an organization. Measures should be taken to curb those vices at early stages and prevent a spillover of the same from one part of the organization to another. In an organization whose parts are intertwined, this problem can cause a breakdown of all parts as they are interdepended on each other. Excuses for failure to perform in an organization should not be tolerated by managers.

Good consumer choices. This implies cleverly analyzing the targeted markets for maximum profits. An organization should do adequate market research for their products to understand both the risks involved in investing in a given area. This should be timely and in advance (Abii, Ogula & Rose, 2013, pp. 726). When planning to introduce their products in a new and unfamiliar territory, a market research would be effective in knowing the nature of competition in the region, political and economic stability of the area, competitors with the same product and any challenges which might arise in the long run (Evans & Alire, 2013, pp.31). This understanding will enable the leader to make sound business decisions.

In business, competition is very common and it is also a motivating factor for success. For an organization to equally and efficiently compete with other companies with the same or similar products, it has to be functioning to the fullest at all parts. These systems work like parts of a well-oiled and repaired machine, they function together well but if one part breaks down, it slows down performance and has to be repaired or replaced. The composition of a machine determines how effective it will be if a part is removed. A close analysis of the performance of individual parts determines their impact on the whole system either positively or negatively. Effective leaders understand this concept in their organization, they exercise judgments in tough situations, are well prepared for any unknown situations which come up from time to time, efficiently ensure systems run smoothly and the hitches are tackled on time.

An organization is like a machine, made up of different parts. These parts have their duties and people who perform them. At the top of the chain are managers who over-seer the functions and efficiency of each part. Systems in an organization are divided into two categories; the permanent ones which form the backbone of the organization and cannot be interfered with and the temporary ones whose manipulation causes little to no effect on the overall performance of the organization. Managers determine the efficiency in the production of the parts. Outside forces such as external competition, near-sighted politicians, economic and political instability, and unfamiliar territories affect the performance of the organization.

Analysis of Market Trends

 Internal factors which affect the performance of an organization include a frequent breakdown of the parts, workers unrest, and inadequate market research before the launch of a new product, poor performances, unmotivated workers and managers. For a manager to effectively ensure the stability and good production coupled with profits in the organization, they have to anticipate these factors and work out ways of dealing with them. This is the mark of a truly visionary leader. The reasons for modifying systems in an organization are to increase production, solve existing problems, prevent stagnation and laziness in the system, create space for introduction of new methods of working, create job opportunities and implement priority change forces in an organization.

In order to achieve effective systems manipulation, a manager should implement these changes in a simple way to avoid interfering with the whole system. This can be done in the following ways; introduction of performance-pay contracts which encourage workers to produce more, avoid short-term contract workers as they promote inconsistency among customers, do a thorough market analysis of the recent trends, in cooperate technology into the organization to remain relevant in the global market, understand competition, solve internal conflicts arising by encouraging honesty and truth among workers,  do performance measurements on all sections of the organization, understand the interests of the leaders and other outside forces who have vested interest in the company, making good consumer choices based on a excellent analysis of the market, regular maintenance of all parts in the system and encourage personal growth among workers.

Workers also have a role to play in the whole system. They are expected to work hard and produce good performance, be on a constant lookout for areas in the system which are not functioning to the maximum and give suggestions on ways to improve the operations of the company. Managers should provide a free and fair working environment for workers, to promote maximum efficiency in work. They are required to do system analysis after every few days or months depending on the size and structure of the organization.

Whether systems in an organization are complex and intertwined or simple, they should be handled with maximum care, because in most cases little manipulations can cause chain effects on the whole system. Careful planning, allocation of duties, distribution of resources, hiring of manpower and decision making processes determines the efficiency and success of an organization. All these tasks are duties of managers and hence directors play a very huge role in an organization. They are therefore expected to develop good leadership and management skills to effectively carry out their duties.

References

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