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Business & Marketing
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Topic:

MGT 401 WK 1: Personality and Leadership Case

Essay Instructions:

Assignment Instructions

One of the most surprising recent success stories in the corporate world is the rapid turnaround of Chrysler under the leadership of CEO Sergio Marchionne.  Chrysler went bankrupt during the 2008-2009 automotive industry crisis and needed a large bailout loan from the government.  Marchionne exceeded all expectations and not only returned Chrysler to profitability within two years, but also managed to repay the loan from the government six years ahead of schedule. 

However, Marchionne is not your typical CEO.  His approach to turning around Chrysler has been described as “tough love” and his habits of rapidly hiring and firing senior executives has raised some eyebrows.  Simultaneously serving as both the CEO of Chrysler and CEO of Italian automaker Fiat, he is known as a workaholic and micromanager. Marchionne’s leadership style makes for an ideal case study due to his unique personality, and because plenty of articles written about him are available in the Trident library and on the Internet.  

Review the background materials on leadership traits, behaviors, and styles.  Then do some research on Sergio Marchionne’s leadership style and personality.  Here are some articles to get you started: 

Wernle, B., & Ciferri, L. (2009). Life under Marchionne: New stars, hasty exits.Automotive News, 84(6381), 1-1,42. [ProQuest]

2011 All-Stars: Sergio Marchionne. (2011). Automotive News, 86(6492), 28. [ProQuest]

Flavelle, D. (2014, Mar 08). CEO aims to steer Chrysler back on track. Toronto Star,Toronto. [ProQuest]

Wernle, B. (2010). INSIDE CHRYSLER'S MIND. Automotive News, 84(6396), 1-1,19. [ProQuest]

Once you are finished with your research on Marchionne and have thoroughly reviewed the background materials on leadership traits, behaviors, and styles, write a 3 page paper addressing the following questions:

  1. How would you describe Marchionne’s personality and leadership traits?  Refer to the background textbook material on leadership traits, and consider the common traits listed in the background texts such as drive, intelligence, integrity, and self-confidence.
  2. Would you describe Marchionne’s behavior as being task-oriented, or people-centered/relationship-oriented?  Refer to background text material on leader behaviors.
  3. How would you describe Marchionne’s leadership style?  Consider the leadership styles discussed in the background text materials: autocratic, participative/democratic, and laissez-faire/free-rein.

Assignment Expectations

  • Follow the assignment instructions closely and follow all steps listed in the instructions.
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  • List supporting references and cite sources in proper format.
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  • Review our “Writing Style Guide” for more detail on referencing and writing expectations.  This guide is found under “My Resources” in the TLC portal.
Essay Sample Content Preview:

MGT 401 Wk 1 Case
Name
Institution
Question 1
Marchionne’s personality and leadership traits are enormous; he is described by many in different ways. What stands out in his personality is honesty. According to one of his colleagues, he considers Sergio Marchionne as a straight up person, meaning that he means what he says. For example, when he said that he would revive the Chrysler plant in Canada, he did it. He is well known from speaking his mind at one point facing off with politicians in Canada after he withdrew a bid for government aid that the company needed for its expansion. Marchionne is considered to be transparent and has no regrets about it, he makes his stand be known openly, without fearing any repercussions. His sense of style cannot go without a mention; he is popularly known for being simple in his way of life especially in dressing. He expresses simplicity by wearing a crewneck wool sweater and black pants (Flavelle, 2014).
His creativity was witnessed when he supported the hybrid electric car using a blog when communicating to consumers directly. Being simple at the same time smart, are some of his unique personality. Sergio Marchionne manages to address variety of caption in a single speech. He is considered to be hard-driving business executive due to his strategies in keeping updated, and is known for doing whatever it takes to get what he wants. For example, he remains committed to developing the company plants with or without government support, but does not state the cost and how long it will take but then he is sure he will (Flavelle, 2014).
Sergio is a believer of faster decision-making. He received direct reports as he avoids following the old company systems where communication follows a process before the final word is conveyed to him through a third party: one of the few examples showing openness and accountability (Flavelle, 2014).
Question 2
Marchionne’s behavior is more of task oriented than people-centered because he focuses on ensuring that the required tasks are done. Being hands on, means he ensures that specific strategies are in places and are being followed, in achieving the set goals. Marchionne turned Chrysler into one of the biggest auto industry player after the company went bankrupt. When he joined the company, he openly stated that he would do it and true to his word, he did it. Marchionne made it personal to ensure that the desired outcomes were realized by salvaging it from collapsing. His plan to further, steer the company to greater heights by staying committed to develop the next production minivan in Windsor, among other projects, succeeded. Despite the government of Canada being hesitant in suppoting the project, Marchionne was optimist and instead planned to invest in the minivan project (Nanjundewaraswamy, T &a...
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