Leadership and Organisational Culture - Bezos vs. Musk
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Course
MBP7004M (MBP7004M)
Institution
York St John University (YORKSJ)
This report highlights the leadership style and behaviours of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos and their leadership impact on their organisational culture and innovative projects for Musk’s Tesla and SpaceX companies and Bezos’s Amazon and Blue Origin companies. This report also intends on identifying ...
Title: Leadership and Organisational Culture –
Bezos vs. Musk
Module: Project Leadership and Team Management
Module Code: MBP7004M
Student Name: Chloe Jade Legood
Student ID Number: 210076033
Word count: 3,158
Executive Summary
This report highlights the leadership style and behaviours of Elon Musk and Jeff
Bezos and their leadership impact on their organisational culture and innovative
projects for Musk’s Tesla and SpaceX companies and Bezos’s Amazon and Blue
Origin companies. This report also intends on identifying and analysing the
stakeholders and the implemented communication strategies for the private space
companies SpaceX and Blue Origin.
,Table of Contents
Executive Summary............................................................................................................1
Chapter 1. Introduction......................................................................................................3
Chapter 2. Leadership and Organisational Culture.............................................................3
2.1 Leadership Theories................................................................................................................3
2.2 Organisational Culture Theories..............................................................................................3
Chapter 3. Elon Musk vs. Jeff Bezos....................................................................................4
3.1 Elon Musk’s Leadership...........................................................................................................4
3.11 Impact on Organisational Performance..................................................................................................4
3.12 Influence on Organisational Culture........................................................................................................5
3.13 Impact on Innovation Projects................................................................................................................5
3.2 Jeff Bezo’s Leadership.............................................................................................................5
3.21 Impact on Organisational Performance..................................................................................................6
3.22 Influence on Organisational Culture........................................................................................................6
3.23 Impact on Innovation Projects................................................................................................................7
3.3 Summary.................................................................................................................................7
Chapter 4. Spaceflight Stakeholder Analysis – SpaceX vs. Blue Origin.................................7
4.1 SpaceX Stakeholders...............................................................................................................7
4.2 Blue Origin Stakeholders.........................................................................................................8
4.3 Spaceflight Comparison...........................................................................................................9
Chapter 5. Spaceflight Communication Strategies............................................................10
5.1 SpaceX..................................................................................................................................11
5.2 Blue Origin............................................................................................................................11
Chapter 6. Conclusion.......................................................................................................11
References.......................................................................................................................12
Tables
Table 1. Shows the Identified Stakeholders of SpaceX…………………………………8
Table 2. Shows the Identified Stakeholders on a Stakeholder Matrix…………………9
Table 3. Shows the Identified Stakeholders of Blue Origin……………………………..9
Table 4. Shows the Identified Stakeholders on a Stakeholder
Matrix………………..10
2
, Chapter 1. Introduction
This report will provide a clear indication of the leadership styles, approaches and
behaviours of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The report will also discuss the link
between leadership and organisational culture and how they impact the success and
outcomes of their respective projects.
Chapter 2. Leadership and Organisational Culture
According to, Hayward (2015) leadership is the ‘embodiment of organisational
culture and value, led through influence in a complex environment’. The study by
Rath and Conchie (2008, p. 7) agrees as ‘organisations seek leaders who are
communicators, visionaries, and actioners that can achieve an outcome to succeed’.
Schein (1990) cited in Elsmore (2001) states that organisational culture is the
‘accumulation of basic assumptions, beliefs and values of individuals’, this is further
supported by Ogbonna (1992) cited in Elsmore (2001) that organisational culture is
the ‘distinction of an individual’s values, beliefs, customs and norms’. Furthermore,
Barth and de Beer (2018, p. 4) proclaim that ‘culture is not an element which quickly
adapts or evolves, but the understanding of shared beliefs and values across
individuals within an organisation is key to selecting an appropriate strategy’.
2.1 Leadership Theories
As stated by Demirtas and Karaca (2020, p. 8) the Behaviour Leadership Approach
intends to ‘determine the most suitable and appropriate leadership type and its
behaviours’ to assess the traits of a leader.
Carroll, Ford, and Taylor (2019, p. 15) investigate the Trait Theory which is ‘focused
on the possessed characteristics of an individual to assess if they align with distinct
characteristics of a leader and leadership is recognised as an intrinsic ability’.
Organ’s (1996) review of the Great Man Theory also known as the Great Person
Theory indicates that ‘some individuals with acquired qualities, experiences or a
combination of both possess what is required for leadership’. This indicates that
some individuals can be born leaders. Burke and Barron (2014) further developed
the Great Person Theory stating that ‘individuals can observe traits of natural leaders
to become leaders themselves through visual learning of relevant leadership traits’.
2.2 Organisational Culture Theories
McKinsey’s 7S Framework is essential for a leader in any organisation as it supports
them in ‘aligning to their organisational culture by understanding the social and
psychological needs of their employees’. (Singh, 2013, p. 39) This suggests that it
provides the leader with an open opportunity to make necessary changes to motivate
their employees in the completion of their work responsibilities for increased
productivity and organisational efficiency.
Braithwaite et al., (2016, pp. 1 - 2) state that the Iceberg Model of Culture has ‘two
elements; visible workplace behaviours and actions above the surface, but there are
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