The crucial function of leadership in building a productive workforce is evident when an organization achieves its objectives. Based on the WSJ News documentary that shows a decrease in the level of employee engagement, managers must use relevant leadership theories to resolve those issues. Keeping in mind all these theories, as a manager, you can create an excellent working atmosphere where employees take advantage of learning and their productivity increases. This paper discusses the implementation of leadership theories to meet the demands of the wave of job dissatisfaction, which is clearly shown in the documentary by the WSJ News. The three theories, namely Servant Leadership, the Leader-Member Exchange Theory, and the Transformational theory are investigated to determine the role each plays in the current leadership class.
Summary of the Case in the Documentary
One of the problems identified in the WSJ News program is low employee engagement, which emerges from a survey of the workers undertaken by a Gallup poll that says that almost half of the respondents are not engaged during their work (WSJ News, 2023). Many workers indulge in negative emotions like rejection and resentment due to their inability to fulfill basic desires at the workplace, such as low pay, long hours, and inadequate trust in their bosses. The documentary brings up the point that this turning away from work is far more intense and sometimes leads to actual unhappiness among the workers (WSJ News, 2023). Consequently, we see more and more employees who do not feel engaged with the work they do. Engagement, as one of the key indicators, is the company’s weak point, as revealed in last year’s survey. The thing that is mentioned is the respondents’ logical attempt to reply to challenges caused by the pandemic, but lower engagement levels still have an impact on two years of operations in derivative.
What other influences are leading to this recession? The reasons are such as remote work, a lack of connection to the workplace, and no understanding of the managerial expectations. Employees can get better pay, less overtime, more precise purpose, and more independence as they are trying to find ways to turn their own work into an enjoyable process. Some employees who initially made this choice prefer to go remote owing to the benefits that they could derive from it. However, the attempts to bring employees back to offices are still facing pushback. These indicate the need for a balance between working from home and collaboration. The role of managers in addressing the growth of employee engagement is an essential factor, precisely encouraging frequent one-to-one meetings and open communication that scientists to better successful interactions. To sum up, this documentary focuses on the need for the acceptance of decreased employee engagement in the organization through the use of proper leadership and management.
Servant Leadership
Servant leadership subscribes to caring for employees, and this includes placing their interests above all else. It further expands efficiency, encourages cooperation, and empowers the organization (Kumari et al., 2022). The film sees the adoption of a servant leadership mindset as a potential exit strategy out of the employees’ resentful and disengaged sentiments (WSJ News, 2023). Through the act of being actively involved with those working below them, giving support when needed, and facilitating growth and positive development, managers can show reasonable care for the employees as individuals, and the latter will feel more motivated.
Leader-Member Exchange Theory
The Leader-Member Exchange Theory is all about the quality of the relationship between leaders and their subordinates. This theory argues that leaders produce special bonds with each employee based on solid relationships through the use of trust, respect, and influence (Mumtaz & Rowley 2020). In the documentary, managers can use this theory in practice by creating positive leader-member exchanges through regular one-on-one meetings, individual support, and clear communication (WSJ News, 2023). Managers can build on the existing ways in which teams operate by forging solid relationships with employees to improve employee engagement, job satisfaction, and performance.
Transformational Theory of Leadership
According to the Transformational Theory of Leadership, leaders should inspire employees to participate and meet the group’s goals through vision, charisma, and empowerment (Bojovic & Jovanovic, 2020). In the case of the discussed documentary, managers can exhibit transformational leadership behaviors, such as articulating an appealing vision for the organization, following examples, and delegating responsibilities for tasks (WSJ News, 2023). By giving helpful feedback, acknowledging contributions, and endorsing innovation, managers can create an atmosphere of trust, teamwork, and continual improvement.
Recommendations for Managers
- Implement Regular Feedback Mechanisms: As a managerial consultant, I advise managers to make sure there are ways for employees to voice their concerns and questions and clear expectations in place as managers and employees work together.
- Promote Collaboration and Empowerment: Support teamwork, personal accountability, and decision-making among employees, which in turn develops a sense of owned business and improves performance.
- Invest in Leadership Development: Organize training and development programs for managers aimed at improving their leadership capabilities and building relationships founded on understanding and empathy with members of their teams.
To sum up, using Servant Leadership, Leader-Member Exchange Theory, and Transformational Theory of Leadership, managers can successfully overcome the problem of declining employee engagement in the movie. Managing people effectively should be based primarily on their needs, building good relationships, and spurring unit togetherness. Through these, managers are able to manufacture a more interested, passion-filled, and productive workforce.
References
Bojovic, I., & Jovanovic, S. S. (2020). Transformational leadership and psychological needs of employees. Technium Soc. Sci. J., 7, 226.
Kumari, K., Abbas, J., Hwang, J., & Cioca, L. I. (2022). Does servant leadership promote emotional intelligence and organizational citizenship behavior among employees? A structural analysis. Sustainability, 14(9), 5231.
Mumtaz, S., & Rowley, C. (2020). The relationship between leader–member exchange and employee outcomes: review of past themes and future potential. Management Review Quarterly, 70(1), 165-189.
WSJ News. (2023, June 16). Why Half of U.S. Employees Aren’t Engaged at Work | WSJ Your Money Briefing [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlfqHlEHjm8.
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