Barclays Recruitment And Selection Process In HRM Project

Recruitment Selection Process in HRM Project ASHIMA, KANIKA, KAVISH, ISMEET, PARUL-J, ADITYA- J Barclay’s BPO HRM Project ACKNOWLEDGMENT The making of this project does not involve efforts of one single person. It is the result of cooperation and contribution of many minds as a group. We would like to express our gratitude to all those who gave us the possibility to complete the project work. We have furthermore to acknowledge Mrs. Sahana Dey our faculty for their stimulating support which undoubtedly boosted our practical knowledge. We greatly acknowledge our indebtedness to all those who devoted their time in filling the fruitful knowledge, material and rendering direct and indirect help in accomplishing this project. During the†¦show more content†¦Employees may be recruited either externally or internally Recruitment refers to the process of finding possible candidates for a job or function, undertaken by recruiters. It may be undertaken by an employment agency or a member of staff at the business or organization looking for recruits. Advertising is commonly part of the recruiting process, and can occur through several means: through newspapers, using newspaper dedicated to job advertisement, through professional publication, using advertisements placed in windows, through a job center, through campus interviews, etc. Suitability for a job is typically assessed by looking for skills, e.g. communication skills, typing skills, computer skills. Evidence for skills required for a job may be provided in the form of qualifications (educational or professional), experience in a job requiring the relevant skills or the testimony of references. Employment agencies may also give computerized tests to assess an individuals off-hand knowledge of software packages or typing skills. At a more basic level written tests may be given to assess numeracy and literacy. A candidate may also be assessed on the basis of an interview. Sometimes candidates will be requested to provide a rà ©sumà © (also known as a CV) or to complete an application form to provide thisShow MoreRelatedAn Assignment On Human Resource Management8731 Words   |  35 Pagestriple-headed approach to HRM has been successful over the years and has helped the firm to retain and recruit well-motivated staff who present a professional appearance t o customers and are proud to work for Tesco. The most significant part of the HRM strategy of Tesco is training and development in terms of both time and money (Tesco, 2014). Every year, Tesco employs a large number of staff and a critical component of this, in addition to ‘front line’ shop staff, is the recruitment of high quality graduatesRead MoreHuman Resources and Management Control on Abbey National and Santander Merger3648 Words   |  15 Pagesusing the available public domain information kindly execute the following takes in your role as strategic HR manager / change consultant. Human Resource Management (HRM) is the function within an organization that focuses on recruitment of, management of, and providing direction for the people who work in the organization and also HRM is the organizational function that deals with issues related to people such as compensation, hiring, performance management, organization development, safety, wellnessRead MoreSignificance of Human Resource Management in Banking Industry: a Case Study of Union Bank Plc, Kaduna11351 Words   |  46 PagesTITLE PAGE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EFFECTIVE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN BANKING SECTOR (A Case Study of Union Bank Nigeria Plc, Kaduna Area Office) BY ISMAIL MOHAMMED KPT/CBMS/2003/4471 BEING A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES (CBMS) KADUNA POLYTECHNIC, KADUNA. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SEPTEMBER, 2008 DECLARATION I hereby declare that thisRead MorePersonal Development as Strategic Manager18363 Words   |  74 Pagessituations, through examining the competences and styles of successful leaders. Applying management and leadership theories and models to specific situations will enable learners to assess their impact on organisational strategy. The unit will draw on a selection of established principles, including the influence of emotional intelligence on leadership effectiveness. This will enable learners to assess how organisations can plan to meet current and future leadership requirements. This unit gives an organisationalRead MoreChallenges in Recruitment and Selection Practices4510 Words   |  19 PagesChallenges in recruitment and selection practices Recruiting, selection and hiring of employees is the most important job of a Human Resource person. Cooper, et al, (2003) it cannot be blunder that the success of any firm depends on the quality of human resources and talents in the firm. The quality of the organization’s products and services will suffer if unsuitable people are employed. In the CIPD view point it believes that effective recruitment is central and crucial to the success of dayRead MoreFundamentals of Hrm263904 Words   |  1056 Pages1 Brief Contents PA RT 1 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 UNDERSTANDING HRM The Dynamic Environment of HRM 2 Fundamentals of Strategic HRM 28 PART 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 THE LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONTEXT OF HRM Equal Employment Opportunity 56 Employee Rights and Discipline 84 PART 3 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 STAFFING THE ORGANIZATION Human Resource Planning and Job Analysis 110 Recruiting 132 Foundations of Selection 154 PART 4 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SocializingRead MoreBohlander/Snell-Managing Hr24425 Words   |  98 Pagesthat HR managers need to consider. objective Identify the characteristics of a good international compensation plan. objective Explain how domestic and international HRM differ. objective Reconcile the difficulties of home- and host-country performance appraisals. objective Discuss the staffing process for individuals working internationally. objective Explain how labor relations differ around the world. PART 6 Expanding Human Resources Management Horizons 639 Read MoreLeadership Development42674 Words   |  171 PagesLew Perren have provided special reviews on corporate management and leadership development strategies, leadership and the development of management and leadership capability in small and medium enterprises respectively. The general approach to the project, locating specific studies, drawing conclusions from these, and the judgements about useful future research priorities have been informed by discussions in the network group and comments by its individual members as the review has progressed. TheRead More Differences Between Business Strategies and Functional Tactics6825 Words   |  28 Pagesstrategies developed. 1.2 Functional Tactics in Human Resource Management (HRM) HRM tactics aid long term success in the development of managerial talent and competent employees; the creation of systems to manage compensation or regulatory concerns and guiding the effective utilization of human resources to achieve both the firm’s short term objectives and employees’ satisfaction and development. The recruitment, selection, and orientation should establish the basic parameters for bringing newRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesSingapore Taipei Tokyo Editorial Director: Sally Yagan Director of Editorial Services: Ashley Santora Acquisitions Editor: Brian Mickelson Editorial Project Manager: Sarah Holle Editorial Assistant: Ashlee Bradbury VP Director of Marketing: Patrice Lumumba Jones Senior Marketing Manager: Nikki Ayana Jones Senior Managing Editor: Judy Leale Production Project Manager: Becca Groves Senior Operations Supervisor: Arnold Vila Operations Specialist: Cathleen Petersen Senior Art Director: Janet Slowik Art

War and Death in Soldier Written by Rupert Brooke Essay

What is war? Is war a waste? Is war honorable? I view war as a necessary evil. Sometimes it has to happen for good to triumph over bad. War poets like Wilfred Owen, writer of Anthem for doomed youth focus on death in war and the dehumanization of solders. In contrast Soldier written by Rupert Brooke thinks that to die in war, to be the noblest death. And Siegfried Sassoon’s Suicide in the trenches focuses on the youthful soldiers deaths being the responsibility of war promoters. Anthem for Doomed Youth Owens Anthem for Doomed Youth is written from a soldier’s perspective and is influenced by his own experiences in the First World War. He viewed war as a waste, as in his time of duty he saw countless deaths that did not have to occur. He†¦show more content†¦In the last stanza, Owen says â€Å"†¦but in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes. The pallor of girls’ brows shall be in their pall†. Here Owen illustrates the loved ones reactions to finding that their men have died. The dead soldiers are deprived of traditional funeral rites and can only be mourned from afar. Owen focuses on the family grief and loss to express the sorrow war causes. His overall purpose is to contradict war poets like Rupert Brooke who glorify war and claim dying for your country to be honorable. The Soldier was written by Rupert Brooke nearing the end of the First World War. His views carry a message of hope for the post war period. He talks of the achievements of soldiers in the war, as opposed to Owen who mostly focused on death. Brooke mainly focuses of the patriotic values and dying for ones country to be a great honor, and glamorizes war by implying that it is necessary. Brooke’s overall message is persuading young men to enlist to fight and die for their country. Which I do not agree with, I believe that if someone is willing to go to war and most likely die, if they really love their country and know how useful they could be, they would make up their minds for themselves rather than being persuaded by a man who ready to die himself. Like Owen re-talks of the First World War and death, and was in two stanzas. Unlike AnthemShow MoreRelatedThe Soldier By Wilfred Owen1376 Words   |  6 Pages Participating in war often is romanticized and is seen as a heroic and honorable act. This romanticism, of course, can only be put forth by one who has never experienced the inhumane devastation that each battle- each moment- causes for the minds and in bodies of every soldier. â€Å"The Soldier† was written by Rupert Brooke in 1914, just before World War One was about to begin, while â€Å"Dulce et Decorum Est.† was written by Wilfred Owen in 1917, during which Word War One was being fought harshly. DueRead MoreBritish Nationalism And Self Sacrifice By Rupert Brooke And Wilfred Owen s The Soldier 1265 Words   |  6 Pagesthe First World War instantly ignited a fierce fusion of Nationalism and extreme patriotism throughout Britain. British Nationalism and war propaganda profoundly influenced the writings of numerous British poets during the early years of World War One. However, as the war progressed, attitudes concerning pro-nationalist ideologies began to change. T he horrific realities of the war produced a profusion of sardonic, anti-nationalistic poetry as young soldier-poets confronted death and destruction.Read MoreThe Soldier By Rupert Brooke And Wilfred Owen1253 Words   |  6 Pagesenter the First World War instantaneously ignited a fierce fusion of Nationalism and extreme patriotism throughout Britain. British Nationalism and war propaganda profoundly influenced the writings of numerous British poets during the early years of World War One. However, as the war progressed, attitudes concerning pro-nationalist ideologies began to change. The horrific realities of war produced a profusion of sardonic, anti-nationalistic poetry as young war poets confronted death and destruction. BritishRead MoreSimilarities Between Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon, And Wilfred Owen1531 Words   |  7 PagesSenior High School World War I Poetry How it changed during the war Abby Schaubroeck Honors World Cultures Period 3 Ms. Beck 19 May 2017 Over the course of the war the perspective of literature, in specifically poetry, changed. Rupert Brooke, Siegfried Sassoon, and Wilfred Owen all share one common bond: these men were war poets. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term â€Å"war poet† means â€Å"a poet writing at the time of and on the subject of war, especially one on military serviceRead More To compare the ways in which these poems display the horrors of war.1616 Words   |  7 Pagesin which these poems display the horrors of war. I have selected three poems, The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, Dulce et Decorum Est, and Anthem for Doomed Youth, both written by Wilfred Owen. Compare how these poems show the horrors of World War 1. To compare the ways in which these poems display the horrors of war. I have selected three poems, The Soldier, by Rupert Brooke, Dulce et Decorum Est, and Anthem for Doomed Youth, both written by Wilfred Owen. I chose Anthem for DoomedRead MoreComparing The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen669 Words   |  3 PagesComparing The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen World War I, probably the most horrible of modern wars, inspired some of the most beautiful and powerful poetry of the 20th century. Two very good examples are The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, both were written before and during the this war. Rupert Brooke was a well- educated English man who lived the enthusiasm of the whole country when the war startedRead MoreEssay on Comparing The Soldier and Dulce et Decorum Est644 Words   |  3 PagesComparing The Soldier and Dulce et Decorum Est The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen were both written during world war one. War and death are the themes of both poems but they are written from different perspectives. Brooke seems to base his poem on myth because overall he says that it is good to die for your country while fighting at war is terrible and that it is every soldier for himself and not for your country. There are manyRead More Compare and Contrast Rupert Brookes The Solider with Wilfred Owens Dulce1470 Words   |  6 PagesCompare and Contrast Rupert Brookes The Solider with Wilfred Owens Dulce et Decorum Est. Although The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen are concerned with the common theme of war, the two poems contrast two very different views of war. The Soldier gives a very positive view of war, whereas Owens portrayal is negative to the extreme. Rupert Brookes The Soldier is very patriotic as Brooke loves his country and is ready to die for it. This perhapsRead More The Views of Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen on War Essay2351 Words   |  10 PagesThe Views of Rupert Brooke and Wil My selected poems are The Soldier by Rupert Brooke and Dulce et Decorum est by Wilfred Owen. Both war poems but conveying their different feelings and presenting their views of war in radically different ways. The poets have polarized views of war with Rupert Brooke writing his poem in a romanticized and patriotic way referring to the possibility of death as a noble cause, for England the land that gave him life. This is at odds to how Wilfred OwenRead MoreThe Development of War Poetry Throughout Ww11027 Words   |  5 PagesThe development of war poetry throughout WW1 was influenced by many different incidents. Many of the soldiers developed friendships with each other based on the amount of time they spent together in the trenches. One of the reasons soldiers developed such strong comradeships that lasted even after the war, was due to the amount of horror and bloodshed they had witnessed together, furthermore the shared experience of suffering and hardship led to strong companionship and their experiences affected

Willy and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival free essay sample

Creedence Clearwater Revival was a rock and roll style group that started in 1959, originally as just the would be lead singer and guitarist John Fogerty, bassist Stu Cook, and drummer Doug Clifford. The group played at school dances, fairs, and other small gigs in their early years. The group later had an addition of John Fogerty’s brother Tom Fogerty, a rhythm guitarist and singer, creating the four man group The Blue Velvets. A few years later after a few name changes, the group became Creedence Clearwater Revival. The album Willy and the Poor Boys came out in 1969 with ten songs total in it. There are two instrumentals and eight lyrical additions. When compared to other previous albums, critics at Rollingstone say that Willy and the Poor Boys is the best. I haven’t listened to all their other albums, but I enjoyed Willy and the Poor Boys more than a previous album, Bayou Country. We will write a custom essay sample on Willy and the Poor Boys by Creedence Clearwater Revival or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Willy and the Poor Boys opens with the song Down on the Corner, which is a song about a fictional group of kids called Willy and the Poor Boys playing music. The tune is catchy and is a pretty upbeat song. The next song is It Came out of The Sky which tells a story about a man who saw an object fall out of the sky. The song continues with different groups reacting in different ways, like Hollywood creating a film about it and the Vatican saying that the Lord has come. The song looks at the different ways people react to events in this world. The repetitive music and fun lyrics make this song pretty catchy and was a lot of fun to listen to. The third song in the album is what could be considered to be a cover of a song by Leadbelly called Cotton Fields. The song is three repeated lines put into different orders, telling the story of recalling living in the cotton fields in Louisiana. The sixth song in the album is Fortunate Son. This song is pretty exciting and upbeat. The song has been associated with the Vietnam War because the lyrics seemed like they could represent the soldiers fighting the war for all the â€Å"fortunate ones† as Fogerty names them. The next song is Don’t Look Now, which I feel talks about how all of us think we are above doing things that are needed to be done, like coal mining and other jobs that are vital to keep everything moving. The song is sung softly, which makes me feel like Fogerty is singing almost like he regrets being in the position he is in. Midnight Special, the next song, follows the life of a prisoner who is hoping for the Midnight Special to shine on him. And while I have no trustworthy sources, I saw that the Midnight Special was supposedly a story that if a light was shone on you through your cell window, you would get out of prison soon. Due to the lyrics, I feel that this is pretty close to the correct definition. The final song in the album is called Effigy. The word effigy can have two meanings, either as a representation of something, usually as a monument, or as a crude representation of someone disliked. I think that Creedence meant to use the second definition as the title of their song. The song itself is about a land burning up with everything being destroyed by the fire. I feel that the band may be referring to the South, which has gone through a lot, and yet is viewed as a terrible place due to things they have done in the past. The album Willy and the Poor Boys is full of great music and is one that I really enjoyed. Creedence Clearwater Revival is could be considered an old band, but is definitely one worth listening to.

Norma Rae- a Leadership Analysis Essay Example

Norma Rae- a Leadership Analysis Essay â€Å"If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation. † Abigail Adams (www. wisdomquotes. com) The above stated lines very truly represent the spirit of Norma Rae and the power of women. The quotation highlights the two main points shown in the film; the strength and determination of women and the idea of equal representation for all. The film portrays the transformation of an oppressed woman, who was destined to be a follower, into a charismatic leader who bought about changes that benefited more than just a few. Norma Rae is based on the life of Crystal Lee Sutton. Crystal Lee Sutton, (formerly Crystal Lee Jordan) is an American union organizer and advocate who gained fame during the early 1970s. She was fired from her job at the J. P. Stevens plant in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina for trying to unionize its employees. She made $2. 65 an hour folding towels. The Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union won the right to represent the workers at the plant on August 28, 1974. Jordan later became a paid organizer for the ACTWU. (Source Wikipedia. com). The Film The concept of â€Å"The Other† has always been an intriguing one. It deals with the issues related to the far-off, mysterious, different ones; perhaps one from the minority group. â€Å"The Other†, is a personification of the under-dog; a reflection of an unresolved mystery of a vastly discriminated against, seemingly alien sect which ought to be oppressed due to its timid, distant, less understood and submissive profile (Clemens et al, 2000). We will write a custom essay sample on Norma Rae- a Leadership Analysis specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Norma Rae- a Leadership Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Norma Rae- a Leadership Analysis specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer And, speaking of our 1979 movie, Norma Rae’s protagonist, a dull, ordinary-looking, lost in the hum-drum life of a mill-worker, she appears to be destined to a lifetime of ‘despondent drudgery’ (Clemens et al, 2000). Norma Rae comes across as an ordinary worker who must follow the O. P. Henley Textile Mill timings and just do her job without any questions asked. Her destiny appears to be one of a diligent slave, living life mechanically. Norma Rae (played by Sally Field) is a â€Å"slice of life† movie (Clemens et al, 2000). It is based on the real life incident of Crystal Lee Sutton who radically transformed into a rebel with a cause and successfully demonstrated that power is not based on title or status; it comes by connecting with people and standing up for what you believe in (Goleman et al, 2002). The movie clearly sends out the message that a strong will, determination and energy can surely move mountains. It substantiates the bonding between a mentor and his protegee, the importance of such a symbiotic relationship and how the follower can become a leader too by synergizing bonds (Bass et al, 1994). It is a live commentary on the inherent leadership potential lying latent in all of us and how circumstances possess the capacity to change us into a grand phenomenon which we are generally used to applauding from the far-off sidelines (Crainer, 1996). An aspect of such a pro-worker movie which surely cannot be ignored is its symbolism and a prevalence of a terribly melancholic strain of music which sets the stage for a dull, brooding watching of an environment which is pretty low in energy and confidence, with no markings of any kind of a positive vibration or a victory in sight. The film begins with the machine in the mill doing its job and still shots from Ms. Rae’s life from being an infant to a sad woman, one amongst the 800 mill-workers; a cog in the cotton mill machinery who is not living life, but simply surviving. This over-bearing scenario takes us back to the 1936 dark satire, Modern Times, where our little tramp, Charlie Chaplin enacting the role of a worker signals the harsh reality of workers being a replaceable part in the industrial set-up and the organization being the dominating entity. Workers are portrayed as being machines themselves making machines in unceasing eight hour shifts and trying to come to terms with this machine age. (Clemens et al, 2000) In such pathetic working conditions with short breaks in-between work, no windows, slave drivers, appalling sounds and a whimsical management system enters our lady, Norma Rae. To begin with, she is a ball of raw energy. She is a rebel without a cause, an anger-stricken, and directionless unharnessed youth of the age who fearlessly confronts the management. The bosses try to tame her by offering a raise and buying her out. At first, she plays into their hands, but realizes a very important lesson of life that to find strength, one must be with the people; in unity lies the greatest potent power. She is street-smart enough to comprehend that having power within the group is far more valuable than just a position of power outside. In a way, this throws light upon the potency of the plebeians and their collective power. To balance out this compassion-authority equation of Norma and for a successful revolution to take place, in walks Reuben Warshofsky (played by Ron Leibman), an experienced outsider, an urban union leader who knows the laws and the legal system and just needs an insider to legitimize and expedite his goals from within. Mr. Warshofsky does for the workers by bringing in Norma Rae what perhaps, the consultants A. T. Kearney did with the company insiders for Walmart (Clemens et al, 2000). The pushy outsider, Reuben works as the fulcrum on which Norma’s newly found identity exists. With his polishing, she slowly transforms into a confident individual with her full potential, waging a war with conviction and full-throttled energy. Interestingly enough, in this teacher-student relationship, â€Å"reverse-mentoring† (Bass et al, 1994) also happens. The disciple or a bright protegee as in this case, guides her mentor too. An example in point would be when Norma asks Reuben to simplify the flier as it is too complicated for the workers to understand. This symbiotic conventional mentor-protegee bond develops into a fruitful partnership where these two recruit workers, spread awareness and overcome obstacles together. His authority and knowledge to deal with situations acts as a boon too, especially when he gets the notice rightly positioned on the notice-board. Reuben, true to his namesake, Mentor from the Greek classic, Odyssey guides and proves to be an intellectual friend to Norma as Mentor is to Odysseus’ son, Telemachus. As the nineteenth century thinker, Thomas Carlyle very aptly stated in his study of leaders, On Heroes and Hero-Worship that – â€Å"Most humans are as kindling, waiting for the match to ignite them. † (Clemens et al, 2000). Hence, this 1970s pro-worker movie laced with its moments of black humour and symbolism is not the story of â€Å"the other† being side-tracked. On the contrary, it is a tale of successful, mutually beneficial mentoring which leads to a victorious union. It’s a case study of understanding how leadership skills can be developed and the undeniable importance of communication and being a people’s person. However, the origin of it all lies in appreciating one’s self-worth and rising against the unfavourable tide with determination and well-structured lanning (Pierce et al, 2008). It all boils down to strategic planning amidst adverse circumstances and making the latter in fact, the stepping stones. Norma Rae mirrors the greatest good of the greatest number doctrine of ethics. It is an inspirational movie which stirs one to action. From a morose beginning, the movie traverses an extensive journey and leaves the audience with an inspiring encouragement to revolu tionize one’s hostile environment into one of collective conquest. The Director’s Perspective The director has depicted three distinct leadership styles. The first being that of Norma Rae, which is of a leader being created, situational leadership and the fact that leadership is not gender specific (Jackson et al, 2008). The second style being portrayed is that of Reuben, which is of a charismatic, transformational leader (Jackson et al, 2008). The third style is that of the management of O. P. Henley Textile Mill, which is totally autocratic, authoritarian and they treat the workers more like machines (Yeo, 2006). Alongside the director has presented a perfect illustration of the Mentor-Protegee relationship (Jackson et al, 2008) in the form of Norma and Reuben. Analysing Leadership This movie depicts various perspectives of leadership and looks at leadership styles of the Protagonist (Norma Rae) and her Mentor (Reuben). The main leadership paradigms illustrated in the film are- -Leaders can be created or Leadership as a Process -Contingency Theory of Leadership and Situational Leadership -Transformational Leadership -Mentor-Protegee Relationship -Ethical Leadership -The Gender Perspective of Leadership Leaders Are Created The most important mark that Norma Rae makes is that leaders can be created (Jackson et al, 2008). It shatters the common myth that leaders are born and cannot be made (Grint, 2005). From the film it’s very clear that proper guidance and mentorship along with situational factors can ignite the flame of leadership, in an individual who has never demonstrated any leadership potential (Howell et al, 2006). Historically also it has proven that guidance and mentorship have resulted in the creation of great leaders. One such example lies in Indian History; Chanakya mentored Chandragupta Maurya, who went on to establish the great Mauryan Empire and is considered to be one of the best rulers Indian History has witnessed. A similar example is also seen in Greek History; wherein Aristotle trained Alexander (www. wikipedia. com). In the words of Prof. Warren Bennis, â€Å"The most dangerous myth is that leaders are born-that there is a genetic factor to leadership. This myth asserts that people simply have charismatic qualities or not. Thats nonsense; in fact the opposite is true. And the way we become leaders is by learning about leadership through life and job experiences, not university degrees. Leadership is nurtured with on-the-job education and role models. People learn to be leaders through difficult experiences and when they face adversity. They learn through the pain and agony of having to come up with hard answers. Leadership doesnt come from genes. It doesnt come from reading or listening to lectures. It comes from the hard earned experience in the arena rather than watching from the balcony. †(Zenger et al, 2003) Similar to the film, a typical example of leaders being created out of ordinary people is of U. S. Marines. Most of the recruits come from troubled home or are users of drugs etc. They’ve often not attended college. Most of the usual parameters associated with success and leadership are absent. But the U. S. Marine training program converts them into amazing leaders. (Zenger et al, 2003) The movie also challenges the universal applicability of the Traits Theory of Leadership. Traits Theories differentiate between leaders and non leaders on the basis of personal qualities and traits (Robbins et al, 2007). The protagonist does not possess the traits or qualities typically associated with leadership. Norma lacks the basic charisma that has conventionally been perceived to be the most important leadership quality (Robbins et al, 2007). Despite that, based on Reuben’s guidance, circumstantial conditions and her determination, Norma metamorphosized into a leader who managed to achieve for her followers (co-workers), something that was considered impossible. Situational Leadership Another concept very clearly demonstrated in the movie is of Situational Leadership or the Contingency Theory of Leadership. As per this concept the leadership style is contingent to situations and circumstances (Howell et al, 2006). In other words, there is no one best style of leadership. The style to be used depends on the readiness level of the people the leader is trying to influence (Pierce et al, 2008). In Norma’s scenario it was her realisation of the gloomy situation the workers were in, that propelled her to take charge of the situation and lead them to form a union. The concept or situational leadership is very clearly illustrated in the most powerful scene of the movie. After getting fired from her job in the mill, Norma scribbles the word Union on a piece of cardboard and holds it up in the middle of the mill. As a result of this action, for the first time all the workers come together and show solidarity towards their leader by switching off their machines and bringing the mill to a total halt. By holding up the word union Norma for the first time takes up the leadership role and manages to garner full support and participation of all the followers (i. . the mill workers). It’s the power of silence that pulls them together. Without uttering a single word or displaying any oratory skills Ms. Rae converts all the workers into her followers, by arousing an eager want in those around her by portraying the idea from their perspective (Halpern et al, 2003). This incident also shatters a common myth that one has to be a good orator to garner a following and be a leader (Halpern et al, 2003). Transformational Leadership â€Å"Leadership should be born out of the understanding of the needs of those who would be affected by it. Marian Anderson (www. betterworld. net) This is primarily Reuben’s style of Leadership. Transformational Leadership occurs when the leader take a visionary position and inspires others to follow. The essence of transformational leadership lies making the followers understand the goals and inspire them to achieve them (Bass et al, 1994). In the film it’s not just Norma who displays Leadership Traits. Her Mentor Reuben has far greater Leadership abilities and his strength lies in the fact that he inspires other to come forward and realise their potential. He follows the principle of Leadership Development. Reuben knows exactly how to use the three processes of leadership development, i. e. , assessment, challenge and support (Howell et al, 2006). He makes people realise their strengths and weaknesses; challenges them to develop their capabilities and encourages them to move forward and take the lead. A transformational leader has to have a very good understanding of the psychology of his followers to inspirationally motivate them and intellectually stimulate them (Pierce et al, 2008). Reuben is an expert at Inspirational Motivation. He makes Norma and the workers understand the fact that a union is essential for them and thus sets the ball rolling. Norma takes the lead and spreads awareness amongst the workers. Norma’s leadership style is also heavily inspired by Reuben so she is also a Transformational Leader to a great extent. Ethical Leadership Ethical leadership considers not only the leader but also his followers, the situation that they face, the leader’s processes and skills, and the outcomes that result (Jackson et al, 2008). It’s concerned with knowing your core values and having the courage to live them in all parts of your life in service of the common good (Center for Ethical Leadership). This again is very much Reuben’s style of leading. He is very sure of his belief in justice for the workers and based on that he influences Norma and others to take the initiative and form a union. Norma also fits into the role of being an ethical leader to the mill workers perfectly. The Gender Perspective â€Å"Over the centuries femininity has been stereotyped as dependent, submissive and conforming and hence women have been seen as lacking in leadership qualities. The male bias is reflected in the false conception of leadership as mere command or control. As leadership comes properly to be seen as a process of leaders engaging and mobilising the human needs of followers, women will be more readily recognised as leaders and men will change their leadership styles. † James MacGregor Burns (Heller, 1982) One of the most common myths about leadership is that it is gender specific and only men make good leaders (Heller, 1982). The male centred society has usually associated women with certain typical roles; such as taking care of the house, children etc. Leadership has always been related with men. This film attacks this mindset also. Norma’s husband complains to her that she’s only associated with the union work and is ignoring her household and kids. This incident totally reflects on his mind set that women should primarily take care of the house. But the truth is that women are capable of multi tasking and doing far more than men. Leadership is beyond gender and in fact women make better leaders. Women have certain characteristics that give them an edge over men in being leaders, like- empathy, and a caring attitude (Heller, 1982). Norma proves it to all that women can work, earn, and take care of the house as well as lead. Traditionally women have not been perceived as leaders and were never allowed to lead. Hence another mark that Norma Rae makes is that women who were not associated with leadership can be taught and developed to be good leaders. Conclusion Norma Rae does not depict the existence of a great leader or someone who had a big following. In fact, Norma didn’t even have any followers as seen from a conventional view. Yet, she achieved and benefited many; depicting a very interesting, different and a subtle style of leadership. She along with Reuben, achieved her goal of establishing a union, yet allowed the workers to believe that it was their effort and their achievement. The following lines sum up the leadership of Norma Rae very aptly. â€Å"A leader is best when people barely know he/she exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him/her, worse when they despise him/her. But of a good leader who talks little when his/her work is done, his/her aim fulfilled, they will say, We did it ourselves. † Lao Tzu (Pierce et al, 2008) References Bass, B. M. (1990), Bass Stogdills Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research Mangerial Applications. New York, Free Press Bass, B. M. and Avolio, B. J. (1994), Improving Organisational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership. London: Sage Clemens, J. and Wolff, M. (2000). Movies to Manage By. McGraw-Hill Crainer, S. (1996) Leaders on Leadership. Northants: The Institute of Management Ethical Leadership. Center for Ethical Leadership. Available from: http://www. ethicalleadership. org/philosophies/ethical-leadership (Accessed on : 1 March 2009) Goleman, D. , Boyatzis, R. and McKee, A. (2004), Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. Grint, K. (2005). Leadership: Limits and Possibilities. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan Halpern, B. L. and Lubar, K. (2003). Leadership Presence. New York: Gotham Books Heider, J. (1993). The Tao of Leadership. Cambridge : Gower Heller, T. (1982) Women and Men as Leaders. USA: Praeger Hogan, R. and Kaiser,R. B. (2004). What We Know About Leadership. Review of General Psychology Howell, J. P. and Costley, D. L. (2006) Understanding Behaviours for Effective Leadership. New Jersey: Pearson-Prentice Hall Jackson, B. and Parry, K. (2008). A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book About Studying Leadership. London: Sage. Katz, J. H. and Miller, F. A. (1996). Coaching Leaders Through Culture Change. Consulting Psychology Journal, 48. Kotter, J. (1990), A Force for Change, How Leadership Differs from Management. New York, Free Press McCall, M. W. (1993), Developing Leadership. San Fransisco :Jossey-Bass. Pierce, J. L. and Newstrom J. W. (2008) Leaders and the Leadership Process. Singapore: McGraw Hill Robbins, S. P. and Judge, T. A. (2007), Organizational Behaviour. London: Pearson-Prentice Hall Welsch, J. R. and Adams, J. Q. (2005) Multicultural Films. Greenwood Publishing Yeo, R. K. (2006). Developing tomorrow’s leaders: why their worldviews of today matter? INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL TRAINING, 38 (2) Yukl, G. (1998). Leadership In Organisations. NJ: Prentice-Hall Zenger, J. H. and Folkman, (2003) The Handbook for Leaders. McGraw-Hill Women Quotes. Available from: http://www. wisdomquotes. com/cat_women. html (Accessed on : 23 February 2009) http://www. betterworld. net/quotes/leadership-quotes. htm (Accessed on : 23 February 2009) www. wikipedia. com