Leadership Styles Of Captain William Bligh - 1076 Words

Compare and Contrast the Leadership Styles of Captain William Bligh verses Lieutenant Fletcher Christian. The topic of leadership evokes curiosity about our leaders and their approaches in decision making, leadership styles and the effectiveness of their leadership. At time leaders are critiqued for their actions or views on different business affairs. In today’s working environment leaders set the tone, vision, and goals of any organization. Leadership has a huge impact on the culture of an organization and how people communicate within the organization (Northouse, 2009). The actions of leaders should inspire and positively impact their followers. The approach of leaders in handling adversities highlights many features of their†¦show more content†¦Due to the rigid ways in which he enforced his rules there was little or no balance as it relates to authority and the moral of his ship men. Captain Bligh ruled with fear, animosity, and cruelty which showed strong virtues of an autocratic leader. He was very dictatorial as well as tyrannical in his dealings with the members of his crew. In comparison to Captain William Bligh’s leadership style, Lt. Fletcher Christian tried to establish a more subtle approach to leadership. His democratic leadership abilities influenced his interactions and relationship with everyone aboard. His tactic was to have everyone share their views openly, build rapport, invite discussion and as such build commitment. Christian practiced compassion and empathy that promotes the democratic leadership style. The leadership styles practiced by both men were somewhat similar because they ultimately shared the common goal of getting to their destination safe, fast and efficiently. Christian was an aristocrat; born in an affluent family. His actions demonstrated that of a leader. Captain William Bligh was crafty, skilled, and a well decorated seaman. A leader, Captain Bligh by order of travel experiences, and he earned the right to his decorated uniform. The difference in their leadership style was noticed very early into the voyage. The first face-off between the men highlighted the similarities and differences in their leadership styles. The conflict was centered on the form of