RIVER CAFE

River Cafe

River Cafe

Leadership Style Adopted by Rose Gray and Ruth Rodgers at River Café

Leadership style adopted by Rose Gray and Ruth Rodgers at River Café was transformational leadership. Transformational leadership is an important contemporary theory of leadership. Its one leadership style consistent with successful organizational change management.

Rose Gray & Ruth Rodger at River Cafe argued that all leadership behavior is either transactional or transformational. Transactional behaviors are "largely oriented toward accomplishing the tasks at hand and at maintaining good relations with those working with the leader [exchanging promises of rewards for performance]." Rose Gray & Ruth Rodger at River Cafe says that this style does work well when the task require inspiring people to want to make a big change. (Antaki 1994)

Transformational leadership, which fosters autonomy and challenging work, became increasingly important to followers' job satisfaction. The concept of job security and loyalty to the firm for one's entire career was disappearing. Steady pay, secure benefits, and lifetime employment were no longer guaranteed for meritorious performance. At the same time, transactional leadership alone could not provide job satisfaction. For example, it is the practice at River Café that everybody can do any job. There are no restrictions. In the words of waiter, “If you see a job that needs doing, do it.” This has played a central role in the success of River Café. At River Café, the aim to get the job done irrespective of the fact that who you are and what you are doing.

In order to move the change process forward, such leaders know that every individual should be empowered to consider him- or her-self as a crucial player. If members are inspired, empowered, and free to act, they will stretch themselves to make exceptional efforts, demonstrate a high degree of commitment, and be willing to take risks. Performing in this way will simultaneously drive the change process and reinforce the new basis of the organization. The blueprint for the change process is drawn from the leader's ideals and a shared vision. (Bass 1998)

Transformational leaders uplift the morale, motivation, and morals of their followers, transactional leaders cater to their followers' immediate self-interests. The transformational leader emphasizes what you can do for your country; the transactional leader, on what your country can do for you. A considerable amount of empirical research has been completed since then, supporting the utility of the distinction. Changes in the marketplace and workforce over the two decades have resulted in the need for leaders to become more transformational and less transactional if they were to remain effective. At River Café, there is respect for all. Whether you are a chef, waiter or house-keeping person, you will get the due respect. This has played a major role in uplifting the morale of workers and management at River Café.

As this discussion focuses on strategic rather than incremental change, attributes of transformational leadership are more appropriate.

To summarize: Transformational leaders guide and motivate subordinates during the organizational change process in the following ...