Differentiate between a transactional or transformational leader

Using your favorite search engine, conduct research on a well-known leader of a corporation.  You might be interested in researching formers leaders such as Lee Iacocca of Chrysler, Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines, Jack Welch of General Electric, or Ray Kroc of McDonald’s.  Alternatively, you could research present-day corporate leaders such as Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo, Mary Barra of GM, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Gregory Hayes of United Technologies, etc. Remember, the leader you choose to research doesn’t have to be on this list — pick a leader who piques your curiosity!  Some students have chosen the CEO of their own employers, but please be sure that you have a minimum of two sources in addition to your textbook if you do so.

Review articles and biographical information that is available on the Internet.  You should have a minimum of two (2) sources in addition to your textbook.  The goal of your research is to answer the following questions about the leader you chose:

• Based upon your research, what type of behavioral leadership style does/did the individual practice?  Task-oriented, people-oriented, or a combination of the two?  Explain.
• How would this individual’s leadership style be characterized in terms of the path-goal theory of leadership?  Explain.
• Would you describe this individual as a transactional or transformational leader?  Explain.
• In what specific ways do you feel this individual was an effective leader?
• In what specific ways do you feel this individual’s leadership could be improved?

This report should be a minimum of 3 full pages (double-spaced – approximately 750 words), excluding header, cover page and/or references, using 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

Keep in mind that, while there are no “absolutely correct” answers for these questions, this is not an opportunity for opinion alone.  Grading will reflect your reasoning and critical thinking skills, your ability to integrate what you have assimilated from material presented in lecture, the textbook and other learning materials, the clarity of your response and its appearance. Please see the rubric attached (and posted in the “Additional Resources” folder, which can be accessed in the Key Information area of the Blackboard informational site) for detailed expectations of this assignment.

Be sure to cite your sources according to either APA or MLA formatting.  Information about APA and MLA formatting is posted in the “Additional Resources” folder, which can be accessed in the Key Information area of the Blackboard instructional site.  Please also note:  Wikipedia is not considered an appropriate source for papers in this course because anyone is allowed to be a contributor to the website and therefore the content is not properly vetted.