Analyzing Leadership Quality in Engineering Sector †Free Samples

Question: Discuss about the Analyzing Leadership Quality in Engineering Sector. Answer: Introduction: In the Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle has succinctly defined the art of leadership stating that it is the amalgamation of different human traits such as virtue, ethics and action. Combination of these three traits can form a humanitarian leader. He has further sketched some of the ideal traits that a leader ought to inherit from the precursors- knowledge, skill, wisdom and intelligence (Nahavandi 2016). However, standing at the the new millennium one cannot ventilate the view of a leadership without considering the trait of being innovative. In terms of business leadership being innovative is extremely essential and it cannot but be ignored. Since the basic trait of a leader is a pre-understood concept, it seldom goes beyond those already framed characteristics. However, some live examples can be taken in to consideration to find out effective leadership quality with more than the conventional traits (Ahn et al. 2014). The following report is going to elucidate the concept of leadership in engineering- a sector that pertains to creation. Twenty first century has so far been an exciting century for the engineering due to certain craze by the students to pursue engineering as a career. The report comprises o two different parts- the first one demonstrating example of two effective leaders thus associating them with relevant theories and the second a self reflection process that would analyze reflective determination to inject leadership traits as a project leader (Clarke 2016). Isambard Kingdom Brunel: This section constitutes the analysis of two effective leaders in engineering sectors. It begins with the analysis of the personality named Isambard Kingdom Brunel, a British engineer who ventured the motto- get going. He is considered to be one of the greatest civil engineers the world has ever seen. The Englishman has changed the definition of civil engineering with his thought process that aimed to capture the entire world in a single bowl. During the nineteenth century British economic boom, Brunel had contributed to some of the greatest works in the country. One of his greatest works can be cited in the work Gods Wonderful Railway. His contribution to the Great Western Railways has been quite effective for the economic development of Victorian England (Levine and Boaks 2014.). As a matter of fact, Brunel had played a key role in terms of creating history for the industrial expansion of England in the nineteenth century. Team Building: His leadership quality was something quite remarkable since he did not believe in the offerings of he learned papers. Neither did he believe in peer discussions nor did he accept criticism (Latham 2014). With firm belief in his style, Brunel walked upon a path of excellence that he himself paved. His conceptualization of broad gauge railways brought great comfort to the British commuters and industrialists. As a matter of fact, the concept of larger freight railways was also propelled by Brunel. One of his greatest concepts has been the tunnel under the Thames, which was executed much latter. Leadership Critique- Autocratic Leadership- A Blend of Innovation Discipline: Brunel was no doubt an autocratic leader who would not accept any short of criticism. On the other hand, his leadership quality could be brought in to the frame of Laissez-faire as his subordinates were provided ample freedom so that they could work freely. Since this has been taken in to certain consideration the basic changes have remained highly understanding with the effective concept for the entire understanding of the historical matters. Brunel was innovative indeed as he challenged the conventional procedure of practicing engineering. He would prefer to bring major changes in railway tracks and motive powers instead of making improvements. According to Vaughan (2014), much of the works of Brunel still exists as legacy since. The reason behind being so is the passion for improvising the process he would take over to do. Vaughan has found Brunel to be always crossing the boundary of convention. The railway stations with fine architectural blends have been a matter of interest to many of the modern tourists in the world. Rationale for Selection of Leadership Quality: The leadership quality of Brunel can be judged through different leadership styles and theories. Though the conventional leadership theories proposes great man theory to be framed so as to judge an effective leader, Brunel cannot be judged or considered under Great Man theory of leadership because he eventually developed his own leadership style. As a matter of fact, the innovative idea that he constituted within him can be considered as the sign of a Great Man as he did not take criticism and mould his process accordingly. His mode of decision making was dependent on his own judgment. Five characteristic traits are commonly associated with Brunel: A Brilliant Engineer Great Visionary Workaholic Perfectionist Showman Brunels leadership trait has been exemplary as he would always state his team to do as he would do; to not do as he would say. The strongest trait that Brunel had in his engineering career was his rejection of conventional working system. He was highly motivational as story says that he gifted his ring to his foreman after having joined the bore of the Box Tunnel. As a matter of fact, it has also taken in to consideration the effective quality of a person in terms of making it a proper understanding with the effective culture from the exact historical discourses. Dawn Bonefield: The other important personality in this aspect would be Dawn Bonefield. Departing from the classical vision to the new millennium, Dawn Bonfields leadership quality can never be rejected from any academic discussion. Innovation: CEO of the Womens Engineering Society, Bonfeld has created a history to provide a space for the women in the male dominated sector. She has not only socialized engineering but has also taken her innovative idea to the newer genre where the participation of women can be regarded as one of the basic chances of social evolution. As a woman material scientist she has created history becoming the first ever woman in this particular genre. Type of Leadership- Democratic: Having stepped upon the twenty first century the concept of autocratic leader has to be rejected since there is a clear chance for considering the democratic and participatory leadership quality. Bonfields consideration as one of the greatest leaders in the field of engineering ought ot be regarded with eminence. While celebrating National Women in Engineering Day, Bonfield took an important initiative in terms of making it a basic chance to find out how this has to be taken in to consideration with the effective chances. Risk Taken: Less participation has been taken in to consideration with the effective chances in terms of creating a positive mindset. This has totally been motivational and innovative while dealing largely with the women engineers (Levine and Boaks 2014). This part of the report is going to establish a self reflective analysis with the special reference to the leadership qualities and traits. Being a project leader I would be providing some of the important instance with the communication plan for the subordinates so as to specify the program and its objective. The following project template would be taken in to consideration: Project Title Hytrans Project Objective Effective Communication Plan Distinctive Nature The project communication plan is going to be regarded as one of the most innovative ones. Since the team members have issues with different locations, this plan would be bringing them all under a single shed. Communication Tools: Telephone, e-mail, hard copies for report, memorandum, and letter. Introduced Communication Tool Usage of Video conference would be effective so that the team members staying far from the core project area can be addressed properly. Traditional Plan Face to Face Evaluation of Benefit Since a virtual face-to face meeting is going to be considered as key factor behind contacting the team members, it needs to be taken in to certain consideration pertaining to the effective understanding of the entire case. Since most of the traditional communication plan focuses on face to face meeting, it involves time and space. However, in the word of technological advancement we can easily make a portal of our own that would invite all the team members. This is how we can easily bring all of them in to certain organizational goal without concerning much about the gaps made during time taken for long distanced journey. The portal includes online chat options, plan uploading options and checklist. This is how this would be taking in to consideration the basic factor behind the major understanding of the entire genre. Conclusion: It can thus be concluded that the leadership quality of the aforementioned personalities pole apart. As a matter of fact, they both are exemplary characters to motivate numbers of forerunners in this sector. While Brunel had remained a combination of innovation and discipline, Bonefield is a paradigmatic leader of women engineers thus creating scope for number of women in this aspect. Having conceptualized the style and process of both the leaders I would develop my own leadership style that would be sprouted through my communication plan. The aforementioned communication plan would address how effectively the team members would be joined without being physically present in the project field. References: Ahn, B., Cox, M.F., London, J., Cekic, O. and Zhu, J., 2014. Creating an instrument to measure leadership, change, and synthesis in engineering undergraduates.Journal of Engineering Education,103(1), pp.115-136. Clarke, K., 2016. Can Engineers Lead Again?.Engineering,2(1), pp.19-20. Latham, J.R., 2014. Leadership for quality and innovation: Challenges, theories, and a framework for future research.Quality Management Journal, 21 (1),5. Levine, M.P. and Boaks, J., 2014. What does ethics have to do with leadership?.Journal of Business Ethics,124(2), pp.225-242. Morris, C. and Cossons, N., 2015.The Great Brunel. Amberley Publishing Limited. Nahavandi, A., 2016.The Art and Science of Leadership -Global Edition. Pearson. Paul, R. and Cowe Falls, L., 2015. Engineering leadership education: A review of best practices. Watson, A. and Eynon, J., 2016. BIM Leaders of the Future: Engaging the Digital Generation.Construction Manager's BIM Handbook, pp.133-141.