In the case study- The Cosmetic Queen and the Software King, Nahavandi in the textbook (pages 158-159); I compared the two leadership styles in terms of LPC and situational control, examined their similarities and differences, summed up their effectiveness as leaders, and indicated my preference.
             Not withstanding their success, Mary Kay and Bill Gates were opposite in their style of leadership and practice different approaches to their business. As a relationship motivated high LPC leader, Bill is bored, aloof and self-centered, somewhat autocratic and is only concerned about outcomes, which puts him in the high situation control on Fiedler's Contingency Model. As a task motivator, (low CPC) leader, Bill is tense, task focused, overbearing, over controlling and insists on getting things done his way. He is directive, task focused, serious, and has little concern for others. Bill's does not care about the personal well being of his employees only about their ability to get the job done. Bill's initial goals when he founded his company remains the same, he focuses on innovation, systems advancement and people last. He is driven by competition and the desire to be dominant in the industry. He faced a novel and unstructured situation, but continues to see his company strive successfully.
             Mary Kay Ash on the other hand as a relationship motivated high LPC leader, falls on the moderate situational control in Fielder's contingency model. She was considerate, open to ideas and suggestions and concerned with resolving conflicts. Mary was confident, supportive, removes obstacles, and stayed out of the way. She admired, loved, and cared more about the women and their families who sold her cosmetics. One could easily conclude from what is said about her, that her initial goal was to help women become financially successful and be able to plan their lives around their family. She founded a company that was not
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