Question

How would you describe Danielle Oviedo’s approach to leadership?

What would you predict about Danielle’s future success as a leader? Why?

Answer 1

Danielle Oviedo was appointed as manager of a distribution centre of Numi organic tea in Oakland, California. Since she was a new appointee her immediate team reporting to her were displeased because of the change in leadership. The earlier predecessor was far more popular and friendly towards them. However Danielle's approach towards leadership was different in following ways -

• She made it clear - Any authority given in the organization serves a purpose and leadership post cannot be served with casual demeanor.
• She brought effectiveness and experience from her previous work.
• On her arrival she identified the problem - employees do not work with collaboration and little attention is paid to other tasks.
• To solve the issue she trained the employees in every critical tasks and processes and made them understand that all pieces eventually fit together. This ensured that the staff work on pressing deadlines and deliveries are not missed.
• She made her staff understand the tasks at conceptual level and made them understand their importance in achieving Numi's larger goals. In other words, aligning employee tasks with overall organizational goals.
• Coming up with innovative solutions to existing problems that plagued the distribution centre.
• Hands on approach to management- Being there for employees, supporting them in every way.

Danielle efforts and her new approach to leadership paid off. With efficiency, the lead times for international orders were cut by 75 percent. Cindy ( her customer manager) says that Danielle brings impressive human skills. She is not hiding in officea rather on the floor- working closely with teammates, understanding the process and assisting in all possible ways.