Leadership and Management Style at Google Research Paper

Leadership and Management Style at Google - Research Paper Example According to Daft and Lane (2008, p.17), leadership develops â€Å"a compelling vision for the future and creates far-sighted strategies for producing the changes† required to achieve that vision. Thus, while leadership requires an eye on the long-term future, management calls for a focus on the bottom line and short-term results.   Shared Leadership at Google â€Å"Google’s goal is to organize the world’s information† (Duin & Baer, 2010, p.35). The company is ahead of schedule to meet its high target. The previous Chief Executive Officer at Google, Eric Schmidt has been replaced by Larry Page. In 2001 the Board of Directors of the company had brought in Schmidt to supervise the then 27-year-old founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. For one decade, Google’s management structure was described as a three-ring circus with the co-founders Page and Brin running the business behind the scenes, while Schmidt formed the public face. Currently, the three ma nagers who were equally involved in making decisions mutually agreed on Page taking the stage. Eric Schmidt stated that the earlier â€Å"triumvirate approach had real benefits in terms of shared wisdom† (Schermerhorn, Osborn, Uhlbien & Hunt, 2011, p.299) and that they would continue to discuss the big decisions among the three of them. At the same time, they decided to clarify their individual roles to ensure clear responsibility and accountability among the management and leadership of the company. The main aim is to simplify the leadership structure and speed up decision making. Thus, Larry Page leads product development and technology strategy, his greatest strengths; and as Google’s Chief Executive Officer is also in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations. Sergey Brin as co-founder focuses on strategic projects and new products, while the previous CEO Schmidt â€Å"serves as executive chairman working externally on deals, partnerships, customers, an d government outreach† (Schermerhorn et al, 2011, p.299). The company’s leadership is confident that this focused approach would serve Google and its users well in the future. It is acknowledged that Page’s taking over the company’s management is at an ideal time. Google’s business is doing well, with the revenues of $29.3 billion showing an increase of 24% from the previous year, and profits rising high. However, the concern is for the future rather than for the present. There is a sense that Google’s best days may be over, with the company facing tough competition from Facebook and Microsoft, and losing top talent to younger tech shops.