Bill Gates : His leadership styles and traits:

INTELLIGENCE : He can write computer programmes (www.time.com)

ENTRPRENEUR : Decided to invest in next generation mobile phones (www.time.com)

Born on 28th October, 1955 in Seattle,Washington,USA Education: Harvard University

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES (Traits)

VISIONARY :

SELF CONFIDENCE :

TABLET COMPUTING DEVICE WILL BE THE NEXT PC (The Times, 2009)

Chairman of Microsoft Co-Chair of Bill & Melinda Gates foundation CEO of Cascade Investment MICROSOFT FACTS Worlds b No.1 in traffic growth Greenest, Cleanest Airline in Europe The only European airline to make a profit every year since 1990.
VISIONARY SELFCONFIDENCE SUCESS

LEADERSHIP STYLES OF BILL GATES

Participative style:- A leader takes a decision only after consulting subordinates (Mullin, 1999). Bill Gates has adopted a participative role of a leader as he arranged regular meetings with managerial staff to listen to their suggestions and opinions in order to formulate effective decisions (Personnel Today, 2006). Directive Style:- Subordinates are expected to follow the rules and directions of their leader (Mullins, 1999). Bill Gates adopted a directive style of leadership as he provided directions, strategies and even specified time limits for accomplishment of different tasks (Personnel Today, 2001). Situational Style:- Hersey & Blanchard (1982) developed a situational leadership model which suggests that a leader may adopt any style according to the requirements of a particular situation (Hannagan, 2005). Gates proved his supportive style by first consulting his subordinates before taking decisions (Personnel Today, 2006). Gates also adopted a supportive style as the subordinates expressed that they were comfortable with their work in Microsoft and Gates also provided them with safety and health benefits (www.trendsupdates.com). Would be successful in a different organisation? Gates has been a situational leader as he adopted a leadership style according to the need and demand of a situation (Personnel Today, 2006). Gates has also been visionary as he addressed the issue that the tablet computing device will become the next personnel computer (The Times, 2009). Gates has been intelligent as he could write computer programmes at the age of 13. Gates is a famous entrepreneur as he decided to invest heavily in next generation mobile phones (www.time.com). Although Gates has important leadership traits and practised leadership styles in accordance with the situation he can be successful in a similar organisation to Microsoft but may not be successful in Macdonald`s organisation because it requires different business skills and competes with many organisations around the world in comparison with Microsoft. Moreover Macdonalds business requires effective marketing skills and not mental intelligence.

References
BOOKS, JOURNALS, AND LECTURES

1) Gill, R (2006) Theory and Practice of Leadership [1st edn.], p38, London: Sage Publications. 2) Northouse,G () Leadership theory and practice [5th edn.], p16,U.S.A: Sage Publications. 3) Stogdill, R.M. (1974) Handbook of Leadership: A Survey of the Literature. New York: Free Press. a) p44 b) p74 c) p78 JOURNALS:1) Stogdill, R. M (1948) Personal Factors Associated with Leadership: A Survey of the Literature. Journal of Psychology. Vol 25, p35-71. ONLINE SOURCES Green, M. P (2009) Glyndwr University: Master in Business Administration, Leadership and Organizational Behaviour Lecture Notes from Blackboard. WEBSITES:1) http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/bio.mspx (Electronically accessed on Feb 23 2010 08:25 pm) 2) http://www.cybernetnews.com/cybernotes_little_known_facts_about_gates (Electronically accessed on Feb 23 2010 06:09 pm)

3) http://www.scribd.com/doc/16315025/leadership_style_of_Bill_Gates (Electronically accessed on 25 Feb. 2010 12:37pm)

NEWSPAPERS:-

1) The Independent: London England) _Monday, Dec 28, 2009 Author: Rob Sharpe, Title: Is It Really 10 Years since 1999