APPLE INC. CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
The success of Apple as the best startup company in the world can be attributed to a leadership that is based on a creative structure and culture. The leadership practices have changed since the death of Steve Job one of the co-founder of the firm. Under the current leadership of Tim Cook, the company has created a value in the market that the rival companies have been unable to copy or sustain (Lashinsky, 2015). The leadership has made the company to be a leader in innovation and creativity of that are not easily matched by other substitute products in the smartphone industry which has driven the company to be the best in terms of capitalization. Creative leadership involves embracing leadership competences that are unique to a leader and knowing that leadership is a state of mind. It involves continuously leading in a way that appreciates the inner worth and value and helping other people to realize the same. Creative leadership involves moving from a reactive mindset to having a creative mind since such a mind is prepared to lead others and manage any change that may arise (Anderson & Adams, 2016).
After taking over as the CEO, Cook discovered that one cannot be fully prepared for the kind of scrutiny that follows the successor of a previous legend in Steve Jobs. It required a prepared mind that can withstand a trial by fire at a moment the firm was undergoing triumphant moment (Lashinsky, 2015). The leader embarked on taking up skills when faced with challenging situations or change and steering the firm to an even greater success than one experienced under the previous leader. Indeed the market value for Apple is now higher and even more than twice that of its closer rivals like Microsoft. The leader has managed to hold together a management team that is long-tenured while augmenting it with major players and even owning up to various blunders he makes in the hiring process. Moreover, the leadership has directed attention towards relevant and important issues that relate to the company but not merely enduring the spotlight. Instilling a creative leadership mind in others can be evidence in the way the leadership has embraced the role of coaching rather than controlling , trusting the teamwork players to be creative in critical areas including marketing , product design and development which have been a key pillar for success (Summerfield, 2014). Through this the management has been able to the criteria for mastering leadership.
The organization structure and culture for the company has ensured that Apple meets the criteria for mastering leadership. The employees of the company have been effectively developed, involved and integrated into a culture that facilitates creativity and hence, rapid innovation in the product developed marketing and distribution of products. The strength in creativity can be observed in various products which have been performing optimally in the market, such as Apple Watch, iPhone and strategies that have ensured constant improvement. In fact, the employees are selected for their creative abilities, skills and knowledge. Hence the industry leadership is supported by the company’s creativity and top-notch excellence that has driven innovation and this has been enabled by a supportive organizational culture (Lashinsky, 2015). The firm has also been adjusting its culture so that it can properly match the changes in internal environment and external environment in the market. In addition, the leadership has enabled the firm to achieve success in retail operations around the world and better than its competitors. The strategy of the company has majorly been focused in the domestic market and western markets that are fully developed.
There are various opportunities available for the company to change in its strategic leadership and enhanced by a collaborative culture. The opportunity for distribution network expansion relates directly to the various weaknesses that a company may experience in its network. With a larger retail presence the firm will be able to strengthen its ecosystem and improving on its sales. There are good chances that firm can succeed in the offshore market that it has not yet exploited especially in the Asian economies. A wide retail presence is important for many products especially for the icon iPhone product. This would however, require a culture that will facilitate and enhance creative leadership in introducing changes inside the company’s management. The change should involve a collaborative strategy for both hardware and software teams so that products that suit the new market can be created and distributed. This requires a leadership mind that is more deliberate in engaging people and laying down structures that enhance independent thinking and collective decision making. Rather than having a leadership culture where one person calls the shots, a collaborative approach will bring together different minds with different ideas and while working in team, develop strategies for exploiting the aforementioned opportunities. A leadership that is centered on one person faces bottlenecks since everything has to flow through him or her (Phadtare, 2011). Creative leadership indulges the input of all of all individuals, and avoiding focusing on one thing while ignoring other aspects of the company (Anderson & Adams, 2016). Collaborative approach helps in creation of an organizational culture where various sections come up with strategic decisions quickly. It is an important change that the organization can use to overcome challenges arising from introduced changes through being creative.
A creative structure is one that is inside out and sets the mindset of leaders to control aspects that are likely to enhance teamwork and hence performance. Organizational culture and structure affects the adaptability of strategic changes in the organization and determines the extent to which people will grasp the strategic change. Moreover, organizations comprises of people with different personalities, goals and talent and therefore a unique culture. Some aspects of this culture change when structures or people change and the culture will influence the success or failure potential for the organization and its leaders (Phadtare, 2011). The opportunity for expansion of distribution network into Asian economies will be affected by the culture of Apple and how it prepares people to embrace change. Moreover, the ability of leaders and their organizations to embrace change and enhance creativity affects the effectiveness of the set goals and mission.
Conclusion
The success for Apple as the best startup company in the world can be attributed to a leadership that is based on a creative structure and culture of the organization. The analysis for Apple creativity indicates that mastering leadership requires a mindset that is capable of moving from reaction to creativity. Creative leadership like in the case of Tom Cook is measured by ability to impart positive mindset in others and direct their efforts towards strategic change and improved performance.
Reference
Summerfield, M. R. (2014). Leadership: A simple definition. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 71(3), 251-253.
Anderson, R. J., & Adams, W. A. (2016). Mastering leadership: An integrated framework for breakthrough performance and extraordinary business results. 205-
Lashinsky , A.,(2015). Apple’s Tim Cook leads different. Retrieved from: http://fortune.com/2015/03/26/tim-cook/
Phadtare, M. T. (2011). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. New Delhi, India: PHI Learning. 170-171
