Writing Effective Essays for Academic Admission

Writing Effective Essays for Academic Admission In 500 words or less, where would you like to see yourself, professionally, five years from now? the application asked.I attacked the assignment with relish. Getting into this prestigious universitys summer fellowship program was extremely important to me, and I wrote draft after draft, trying desperately to give the admissions committee exactly what it was looking for in this all-important essay. Finally, I sat down and took a good, long, critical look at each and every attempt, throwing my hands up in relative anguish. Oh, they all sounded perfectly acceptable. Some even sounded relatively eloquent. But, to me, not a one sounded…right.I began to wonder just what it was that the admissions committee was actually looking for in this essay, and I began to worry that maybe I really wasnt summer fellow material. But then, one of the high school seniors on my debate team happened to glance over my shoulder as he reached for a book Id told him he could borrow. Is that your application e ssay? he asked. Can I read it?What could I lose?Hey, he challenged, narrowing his left eye. How about just practicing what you preach?Suddenly, it was clear. I had not trusted the advice that I had been giving to high school and college students for nearly twenty years. I had written an essay that could have been written by any one of a hundred other perfectly qualified applicants. I had tried to play it safe and write something professional and intellectual instead of really taking on the challenge of examining myself to determine just what it was that I wanted out of that academic experience. As a result, none of my attempts to engage in professionally correct writing had resulted in anything that provided a reader with a picture of me.A few days later, I gave that young man another draft to read, knowing full well that it was the one that would be included in my application packet, despite the fact that it consisted of 632 words on where I did not want to see myself, professional ly, five years hence. Even though I knew I hadnt followed the instructions to the letter, I knew I had embodied their spirit. I wrote honestly about who I was at that point in my life, a tired and even somewhat frustrated teacher. I wrote simply and directly about what I really did want out of that summer programâ€"a jumpstart. And I was accepted. The lesson? Ah, yes: To thine ownself be true.Weve all been given similar advice about things like blind dates and interviews. Be yourself, weve been told by everyone from Mom to Ann Landers to ex-General Motors CEO, Lee Iacocca. And that advice holds true when it comes to writing essays for admission to academic programs.The sheer volume of material that admissions committee members must sift through on a daily basis today is staggering. When the bulk of what they are reading is carefully scripted to sound correct, it becomes extremely difficult for committee members to distinguish one candidate from another as they attempt to narrow five thousand equally qualified applicants down to a pool of five hundred.So, how can you make your essay stand out in that crowd of five thousand? Instead of trying to say something that you think committee members might want to hear, give them the information that they need in order to make clear choices. Most of the essay topics provided on applications these days ask writers to address, in one form or another, these two basic questions:Who are you?Why is this the right program for you?So, tell them who you are. Tell them what you want out of your next academic experience. Tell them why. Be honest. Be direct. Give details, scenes, moments from your own experience. And most of all, be yourself.Remember your Shakespeare: This above all, to thine ownself be true.

The United States and the International Criminal Court (ICC)

The United States and the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statement of Purpose This paper will clearly lay out the Unites States concerns with the International Criminal Court and will attempt to resolve them. I will then argue that no country has the right to be above international law, including the United States and that it is in the best interest of America and the world community for the united states to join the efforts of the ICC and sign the Rome Statute. Introduction to the ICC â€Å"In the prospect of an international criminal court lies the promise of universal justice. That is the simple and soaring hope of this vision. We are close to its realization. We will do our part to see it through till the end. We ask you...to do†¦show more content†¦Finally, in July of 1998 the international community met in Rome to finalize the draft statute, which is now referred to as the Rome Statute of the ICC. The primary goals of the International Criminal Court are to achieve justice for all, to end impunity, to help end conflicts, to remedy the deficiencies of ad hoc tribunals, to take over when national criminal justice institutions are unwilling or unable to act, and to deter future war criminals. â€Å"For nearly half a century – almost as long as the United Nations has been in existence – the General Assembly has recognized the need to establish such a court to prosecute and punish persons responsible for crimes such as genocide. Many thought†¦ that the horrors of the Second World War – the camps, the cruelty, the exterminations, the Holocaust – could never happen again. And yet they have. In Cambodia, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Rwanda. Our time – this decade even – has shown us that man’s capacity for evil knows no limits. Genocide†¦ is now a word of our time, too, a heinous reality that calls for a historic response. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General Overview of the United States Position IsShow MoreRelatedEssay about The United States and The International Criminal Court1727 Words   |  7 PagesThe International Criminal Court (ICC), created in 1998 (Thayer and Ibryamova 2010), is responsible for investigating and prosecuting the most extreme cases, including crimes against humanity, aggressive crimes, war crimes, and genocide. The credibility of this institution, however, has been compromised due to the United States revocation of support and membership. Initially it is important to recognize the arguments against the United States becoming a member state of the ICC and what precipitatedRead MoreThe International Criminal Court Of The United States1433 Words   |  6 PagesThe International Criminal Court try to not to have history repeat itself The International Criminal Court also known as the (ICC) are a group of judges who investigates and prosecutes individuals that are guilty of crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity and only intervenes when a state cannot intervene or is unwilling to intervene or is an international concern (Understanding the International Criminal Court). Many inhumane corruptions were committed in the past such asRead MoreRough Justice : Battle For Fix The World, One Prosecution At A Time By David Bosco1134 Words   |  5 Pagesthe establishment of the international court and how years after its formation the powerful nations do not cooperate with it. Powerful nations such as the United States and Russia do not support the activities of International Criminal Court (ICC) and thus leaving its mandate to the poor African Nations. The book was chosen because it touches on one of the subjects of international law. The ICC is part of United Nations that deals with the violators of the international law: it helps to provide anRead MoreAfrican Countries Case Study719 Words   |  3 Pagesused of court cases that all of them involve African Nations. The ICC has been criticized for focusing solely on African countries (Cruvellier). Until 2016, the ICC was only seriously investigating crimes committed in African nations (Cruvellier). The ICC claims this is because, in their mandate, it states they must investigate the â€Å"gravest† of crimes, however, surely not all of the worst crimes are committed in African nations (International Criminal Court). Since the time that the ICC was foundedRead MoreInternational Criminal Court Unfair Towards African Nations Vis A Vis Western Nations? Essay1446 Words   |  6 PagesIs the International Criminal Court unfair towards African Nations vis-à  -vis Western Nations? On October 12, 2016, the parliament of Burundi, a country located in the Eastern part of Africa voted to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) with a vote of 94 to 2. Weeks earlier, Gambia and South Africa announced their intention to withdraw from the ICC, and this wave of action by these three African nations has paved the way for other African nations to reassess if they wanted to stillRead MoreThe War Of The World War II1730 Words   |  7 Pages A war crime is an act that constitutes a serious violation of the law of war that gives rise to individual criminal responsibility. Examples of war crimes include intentionally killing civilians or prisoners, torture, destroying civilian property, taking hostages, perfidy, rape, soldiers, pillaging, declaring that no quarter will be given, and using weapons that cause superfluous injury or unnecessary suffering. The concept of war crimes began to emerge during the end of the 19th century andRead MoreWhat Is The Role Of The UNC?828 Words   |  4 Pagesobligations on all member states of the Charter, regardless of their status as members of the ICC. (Aloisi, 151). The UNSC has the power to force their members to cooperate with their decisions. Since the UNSC refers cases to the ICC, the ICC should be a body within the UNSC instead of its own organization. â€Å"Although not directly engaged in the creation of the permanent International Criminal Court, the Rome Statute gives the Security Council the authority to refer â€Å"situations† to the Court, thereby enablingRead MoreThe International Criminal Court Is Governed By The Rome Statute1175 Words   |  5 Pages The International Criminal Court, also commonly known by its acronym ICC, is governed by the Rome Statute, which provides the legal basis for a permanent ICC. This court is independently responsible for trying individual’s accused of what they consider to be the gravest crimes to international concern. It considers four types of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes. Although anyone can bring a case to the ICC, this court acts as a final resort for whenRead MoreEssay On International Criminal Court744 Words   |  3 Pagesnumerous reforms in the International Criminal Court that needs to bà © established to the national justice system in order to uphold the same aims of International law. The International Criminal court needs to increase its universality of the scope of the court, although the icc statute has been ratified by many states, efforts to reinforce its universality must be strengthened, such as the United states, Russ ia and China, this complicates, if not makes it impossible, for the court to exercise its jurisdictionRead MoreArticle 86 Of The Rome Statute795 Words   |  4 Pagesto the ICC as stated in article 89 of the Rome statute. Arrest warrants are issued by judges upon request by the prosecutor of the ICC.Only after the verification of evidence that confirms reasonable grounds to believe the person sought committed the given crime under the jurisdiction of the court .Arrest warrants are not issued when suspect as voluntary appears in court .Article 86 of the Rome statute requires the member states to the Rome statute to cooperate with the court. On 14 October 2011

Regime, Regimen, and Regiment Choosing the Right Word

Dont be confused by older senses of the words regime, regimen, and regiment. In present-day English, these words  have fairly distinct meanings. How to Use Regime The noun regime (pronounced ruh-zheem and occasionally spelled with an accent, rà ©gime) primarily refers to a form of government or a period of time that a person or governing body is in power. (In contemporary usage, regime commonly carries a negative connotation.) Far less often, regime is used as a synonym for regimen. How to Use Regimen The noun regimen (pronounced redge-uh-men) primarily refers to a systematic plan, in particular a regulated system of diet and exercise or a prescribed course of medical treatment. Far less often, regimen is used as a synonym for regime (a form of government), a usage that most dictionaries identify as rare or archaic. How to Use Regiment The noun regiment (pronounced redge-uh-ment) primarily refers to a military unit or any large group of people. (Though regiment was once regarded as a synonym for regime, most dictionaries identify that usage as archaic or obsolete.) As a verb, regiment means to organize a group of people in a systematic or oppressive manner. In addition, see the usage notes below. Examples Castros death was felt especially keenly in Latin America, where his success in overthrowing a military  regime  inspired leftist activists in other countries. Celebration, Sorrow and Slights Greet News of Castros Death. The New York Times, November 26, 2016 Stomach troubles meant that our diets would change: we would be put on a strict regimen of rice congee (or porridge), sometimes with a tiny pickled turnip, until our stomachs were better. Nancy N. Chen, Food, Medicine, and the Quest for Good Health, 2009 For a soldier to plot against his own government during a time of war might be acceptable if the regime was evil enough; but for a soldier to plot against his own regiment would simply be treachery, and the man would be thought of as a traitor. Michael Gelven, War and Existence: A Philosophical Inquiry, 1994 [W]e allow the clock to regiment our daily lives. People did not always let the clock determine the pace of daily life. Robert J. Brym and John Lie, Sociology: Your Compass for a New World, 2010 [President Lincoln] drafted a memorandum of military policy that called for the discharge of those ninety-day regiments that did not wish to re-enlist, the reorganization of the rest of the army, and a constant regimen of drill to ensure they would be properly trained before their next battle. William C. Davis, Lincolns Men, 1999 Usage Notes The word regime is a synonym for political system: a democratic regime, an authoritarian regime. It also may mean the period in which a person or system was in power, often with a negative connotation: Gadhafis regime, the Nazi regime. The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law: 2013, ed. by Darrell Christian, Sally Jacobsen, and David Minthorn. Basic Books, 2013 A medical regimen is a set of rules or guidelines imposed upon a client to secure his or her well-being. . . . Regimen also, of course, has the somewhat antiquated meaning of government and is the root of regime and regiment. Bryan S. Turner, Piety, Prolongevity and Perpetuity: The Consequences of Living Forever. Medicine, Religion, and the Body, 2010 Practice (a) Dedicated Puritans maintained a daily _____ of reading the Bible and devotional books and engaging in private meditation, self-examination, and prayer upon rising and before retiring.(Keith Krawczynski, Daily Life in the Colonial City, 2013) (b) [T]he ultimate justification of the war was a moral imperative to save millions of innocent men and women from a cruel, murderous, evil _____.(Theodore S. Hamerow, Why We Watched, 2008) (c) Looking out, I saw a _____ of boys of a tender age, in a uniform of brown linen, with little light muskets on their shoulders, and miniature knapsacks on their backs, completely equipped and furnished for war.(William Cullen Bryant, Letters of a Traveller, 1850) (d) I’m not sure my grooming _____ really counts as a _____: it takes six minutes, and the hottest product I own is a Lynx Africa gift set left over from Christmas.(Alfie Packham, Five Grooming Gadgets for the Modern Man. The Guardian, August 21, 2016) Answers (a) Dedicated Puritans maintained a daily regimen of reading the Bible and devotional books and engaging in private meditation, self-examination, and prayer upon rising and before retiring.(Keith Krawczynski, Daily Life in the Colonial City, 2013) (b) [T]he ultimate justification of the war was a moral imperative to save millions of innocent men and women from a cruel, murderous, evil regime.(Theodore Hamerow, Why We Watched, 2008) (c) Looking out, I saw a regiment of boys of a tender age, in a uniform of brown linen, with little light muskets on their shoulders, and miniature knapsacks on their backs, completely equipped and furnished for war.(William Cullen Bryant, Letters of a Traveller, 1850) (d) I’m not sure my grooming regimen really counts as a regimen: it takes six minutes, and the hottest product I own is a Lynx Africa gift set left over from Christmas.(Alfie Packham, Five Grooming Gadgets for the Modern Man.  The Guardian, August 21, 2016)

Analog to Digital Comparison Free Essays

Analog to Digital When the conversion takes place between analog and digital it becomes the base of all communication technologies. Just about all hardware uses digital so it is very important to convert analog signals into digital to perform support for hardware applications. All hardware devices are aimed to be digital. We will write a custom essay sample on Analog to Digital Comparison or any similar topic only for you Order Now Therefore, devices in the future will not need conversion because they will already be digital. There are many examples of analog to digital like a scan picture. The analog information provided by the light present in the picture is converted to digital signal to complete the process. The digital conversion use the means of binary coding for data transmission and output. The digital signals work only by using only two numbers known as one and zero (Analog to Digital). When users convert the signal to digital it allows plenty of data to be stored on a single device. This help save bandwidths and space. There are seven ways that signals are structured; direct conversion, ramp compare, successive approximation, delta encoded, pipeline, time stretch, and sigma delta. When the hardware uses one of those signals the destination hardware will find the best data encryption and utilization. The most common analog to digital conversion are the digital TVs, cameras, and other video captures. The newer microcontrollers’ technologies are used to convert analog to digital by reducing the size of the chip to get a better signal. Frequency Modulation The advantages and disadvantages of frequency, and frequency modulation vary from one application to the next. However, the frequency modulation choice depends on the applications, and system requirements. Knowing the type of system as well as the requirement will help the technician choose the correct form or type frequency modulation to generate to get the required output for use. Comparing, and contrasting Amplitude Modulation (AM) to other forms of modulation frequencies an individual will find that (AM) frequency is relatively inexpensive, minimum circuitry required for connection as well as the demodulation process. (AM) covers a larger area when compared to (FM) greatly with the aid of atmospheric conditions. A disadvantage of (AM) includes a limited amount of bandwidth where-as the bandwidth needs to be double the strength of the highest frequency, noise mixes easily at higher frequencies, and only one side of the frequency carries the signal where-as the other side has a loss of power. Applications that normally use (AM) include radio transmission news, weather, music, aircraft communication to the aircraft tower in a very high frequency (VHF) form, and walkie-talkies for two-way communication. Frequency Modulation (FM) advantages include a stronger signal than (AM), noise control with the aid of increasing or decreasing the deviation, constant power output with no loss. The disadvantage includes cost, the demodulation process that may require knowledge of complicated circuitry. The application for (FM) includes radio communication, and some analog applications. Phase Modulation (PM), which is analog version phase shift keying. The advantages include includes modulation to demodulation made easier when compared to (FM). (PM) is also used to determine speed or velocity. A disadvantage of (PM) will include the displacement of the original signal of more than 180 degrees will cause phase ambiguity. Applications for (PM) include boat radio communications, radio, music, and news communications. When an individual uses his or her wireless Ethernet (802. 11b) he or she does not care as to how the signal is generated just as long as it works. Modulation Techniques Modulation is the method used to transmit and receive signals from a carrier. Different types of equipment make it possible for the signals to be used. Each piece of equipment uses different techniques but is essence offers the same results. The three most common methods by which signals are transmitted are 56K modem, asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL), and Wireless Fidelity also known as Wi-Fi. Throughout the growth of the Internet, each of these processes has proven themselves to be effective ways to transmit digital signals. However, the 56K modem has become somewhat obsolete with the emergence of Wi-Fi. The signal modulation that the 56K modem receives is provided by the telephone network. When there is no interference or problems with the network’s connection, a 56K modem has a maximum speed of 64K but will rarely come close to achieving this because of typical issues with the network. The modulation takes place by converting the digital signal that the Internet Service Provider (ISP) transmits into an analog signal that the telephone company can use. The individual uses a modem to convert the analog signal received from the telephone company back to a digital signal. After the access to the Internet became more demanding, this process proved to be too time-consuming and ADSL emerged. ADSL uses two opposing modulation techniques that rely on Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). QAM uses a process to conserve bandwidth that was widely used by earlier modems. The first modulation technique used is the Carrierless Amplitude Phase (CAP) that was developed by ATT. The carrier retains no information because it is suppressed before transmission and unsuppressed after it reaches its destination. This process offer two advantages for its users, a less expensive and more flexible way of modulation and demodulation. The other modulation technique is the Discrete Multi-Tone (DMT). The DMT has been selected as the standard for ADSL. This method is a bit more complex because of the way that it separates the bandwidth into 256 channels. Each of these sub-channels uses about 4. 3125 kHz of bandwidth using the QAM process. It also uses more low frequency channels to minimize the noise interference present during high frequency transmissions. It also uses method like Discrete Wavelet Multi-Tone to maximize the separation between the channels to assist in minimizing interference. The final modulation technique is the Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi uses two radio transmission methods for modulation. The 802. 11b uses the process complementary coded keying (CCK) at around 11Mbps to process the signal with special codes and modulate it using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) (â€Å"Tutorialspoint†, 2013). The other is the 802. 1a and g type that use a 64 channel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) that divides the available radio band into sub-channels to send bits on each (â€Å"Tutorialspoint†, 2013). By using Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), QPSK, or one of the QAM variants, the transmitter can encode the streams of bits carried on the 64 sub-channels. The receiver only uses the informa tion that it needs to construct the information and disregard the redundant information. Sonnet SONET, or synchronous optical network (Gilmer, 2003) was designed in the 1980’s due to the break-up of ATT. The current technology was overwhelmed by the sheer number of new telephone companies around the country. SONET was designed to deliver T-1 and T-3 speeds for data transfers. The SONET frame is designed as an 810-byte setup utilizing nine rows of 90 bits. The remaining bits are left out of the rows to perform separate tasks for each section. SONET is still used today as a means of telecommunication as it has a superior amount of flexibility over cables, such as those utilized by Ethernet that can be only stretched a fraction of the distance achieved by fiber optic cable. Where Ethernet maxes out at 348 feet, fiber optic cable is used at distances over a mile long, a drastic difference in usability. Conclusion It is apparent that as the popularity of the Internet increases, the technology must increase as well to meet the demands. The different conversion method used today for analog to digital has made it easier for users than in the past. The modulation techniques have improved making it possible to transmit information faster and less expensive for users. Finally, the SONET technology has propelled the industry even further with its increased range and flexibility. References Analog to Digital. (2013 April). Retrieved from http://www. wifinotes. com/computer-hardware-components Gilmer, B. (2003). Sonet. Broadcast Engineering, 45(7), 24-24. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/204171727? accountid=35812 Goleniewski, L. (2007). Telecommunications Essentials (2nd ed. ). Boston, MA: Pearson. Analog to Digital. (2013 april). Retrieved from http://www. wifinotes. com/computer-hardware-components Tutorialspoint. (2013). Retrieved from http://www. tutorialspoint. com/wi-fi/wifi_radio_modulation. htm How to cite Analog to Digital Comparison, Papers

Nursing Philosophy free essay sample

Nursing Philosophy, Model, and Theory Discussion Question Jennifer Gauze, Kathy Hatfield, Karen Hunt, Rina Lacombe, Jillian Morrow, Stephanie Yates Theories and Models of Nursing Practice May Thirteenth, 2013 Mary McGill Nursing Philosophy, Model, and Theory Discussion Question In this paper we are going to discuss three different theorists, Dorthea Orem, Ida Orlando, and Betty Neuman. We will discuss how their theories expand our view of the nursing process and now they fit during our workday. Dorthea Orem believed that people have the innate ability for self-care (Simmons, 2009). It is our duty as nurses to encourage, and promote self-care though patient teaching. This is critical to maximize our patient’s health. We are to make sure patients can meet their basic needs by participating in their care. Simmons, L. (2009). Dorthea orems self care theory as related to nursing practice in hemodialysis. Nephrology Nursing Journal, 36(4), 419-21. Retrieved from http://search. proquest. com/docview/216533281? accountid=35812 Ida Jean Orlandos theory focuses on how nurses process observations and respond based on the interactions with their patients. We will write a custom essay sample on Nursing Philosophy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Orlandos theory differentiates between automatic and deliberate action (Alligood, 2010). Orlandos theory of deliberative nursing process is important in the planning stage. Planning verses automatic action is crucial to ensure the desired outcomes in implementing care for patients. Taking time to process the observations made during the nurse-patient interaction  assists  in planning  individualized patient care based on the needs  that are identified  for that specific patient. Surrounding the core are the patient’s lines of defense which function to help maintain stability. Anything, internally or externally, can disrupt lines of defense resulting in illness, injury, or depression. As nurses, we work to repair the broken lines of defense and to strengthen and maintain existing ones while keeping the core in mind as our main focus. Neuman’s theory correlates with the nursing process. We must first assess our patients to determine broken lines of defense. We then make a plan with a goal to repair broken lines of defense and carry out our plan. Evaluation of the patient is an ongoing process. We must look at our result and determine if our interventions are effective or not. As we carry out our nursing care plan, the patient’s lines of defense should become stronger. ( Jillian ) Alligood, M. R. (2010). Nursing theory: Utilization amp; application (4th ed. ). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Retrieved from University of Phoenix University Library

The Root Causes of the Conflict in the Middle East

MBA leadership and organisational behaviour at W L Gore The WritePass Journal

MBA leadership and organisational behaviour at W L Gore Abstract MBA leadership and organisational behaviour at W L Gore ). Moreover, it has been emphasised that the company has implemented rules of transparency and fairness (Gore Official Website, 2014). It is apparent that teams are changing constantly, which means that the organisation adequately implements a vision of change. The operating teams are kept small because this is considered an appropriate strategy to address the individual needs of each stakeholder (Gore Official Website, 2014). Team members at Gore are free to determine their objectives that are aligned with the organisation’s core values and mission. Therefore, leadership and organisational behaviour is properly developed at this company. The innovative work organisation of Gore implies that leaders are constantly working to embrace a culture of highly innovative and flexible principles of operation (Luthans and Youssef, 2007). Each employee in the organisation has a clear perspective of assigned roles and responsibilities, and this contributes to better organisational performance. The concepts that are used to analyse the case study of Gore refer to management and leadership, motivation, groups and teams, and group leadership. These paradigms are found useful in the discussion of leadership and organisational behaviour issues within the selected organisation (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis of how the paradigms of management and leadership, motivation and group leadership can be applied in the context of Gore (Lian and Tui, 2012). A section of literature review is included in order to expand individual perspectives into essential leadership and organisational behavioural issues identified in the company. In addition, the paper critically discusses the application of these three main theories to the case of the company. In an attempt to set the context of the case study, it is important to clarify that Gore is the UK branch of a US multi-national company that specialises in the manufacturing of the Gore-Tex textile. This is the product for which the company is widely known around the world (Rehman and Afsar, 2012). Moreover, Gore indicates a commitment to developing various products for next-generation electronics, for medical implants and for innovative fabrics (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). The unique business strategy adopted by the company illustrates its dedication to innovation which is obvious in all organisational processes. Literature Review Management and Leadership   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the leadership development world, substantial confusion exists regarding the relationship between management and leadership. Many individuals tend to use these concepts in an interchangeable manner, while others consider them as separate categories in the business field (Lian and Tui, 2012). Researchers have emphasised the necessity that management and leadership should be balanced in contemporary organisations (Sharma and Jain, 2013). Although the two concepts do not imply the same thing, they are closely linked. While managers are more likely to focus on systems and structures as well as administer specific rules and procedures, leaders are focused on innovation and change within the organisational context. Leaders also consider the importance of people and the development of their skills in a proper direction (Northouse, 2007). In the modern business environment, employees do not simply expect that their managers should assign them s pecific tasks but they also seek a purpose pertaining to those tasks. Managers try to organise employees in order to expand organisational efficiency along with the idea to develop talent and inspire achievement (Sharma and Jain, 2013). The emergence of the ‘knowledge worker’ is a significant tendency in most organisations. Such change requires that employees should not be managed. It becomes apparent that the main objective of combining management and leadership in companies is to lead individuals, with the utmost goal to expand the strengths and knowledge of each employee (Rowe, 2007). Management and leadership are fundamental for the delivery of high quality products and services. A common rule has been identified in terms of expecting that good managers should possess adequate leadership skills, while good leaders are recognised as those professionals who need an array of management skills to increase their effectiveness (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). Leadership is mostly based on the concept of creating a strong sense of mission and vision, while management refers to the idea of getting things done. One of the conditions for good management practices is that both managers and team members should be selected on the basis of merit (Sharma and Jain, 2013). The balanced involvement of individuals is an important element of management and leadership concepts that are applied in modern organisations. It has been argued that management is mostly about making decisions (Rowe, 2007). Planning is an essential tool for both management and leadership, as professionals in these fields are expected to anticipate unplanned events in a relevant manner by considering the needs and interests of all stakeholders in business (Moynihan and Pandey, 2007). Motivation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Demonstrating adequate knowledge of how to motivate employees in the global business world is a fundamental managerial and leadership skill. Motivation is referred to as a set of factors that cause individuals to select specific behavioural patterns from other alternatives (Burton, 2012). In organisations, employee performance is affected by motivation and the precise work environment. It can be suggested that motivation is a significant determinant of performance. There are different historical views of motivation as presented in the management literature (Moynihan and Pandey, 2007). The premise of scientific management is that work normally emerges with inherently unpleasant characteristics for the majority of employees. As a result, their income is more important than the specificity and nature of their job. Furthermore, the human relations movement stressed the impact of social processes that occur in organisations (Gilbreath and Karim i, 2012). For instance, this management philosophy illustrates the principle that the individual need for contribution, importance and usefulness is more relevant than income in motivating employees (Mizuno et al., 2006). In line with the ideology of the human resource approach, individuals are determined to contribute to team effectiveness. Yet, organisations are required to establish a solid work environment that properly utilises all available human resources (Mizuno et al., 2006). The human resource approach is the most relevant approaches used by contemporary organisations regarding motivation. However, there are certain integrative approaches that provide a better conceptualised view of employee motivation, such as need-based, process-based and reinforcement-based models (Burton, 2012). Need-based approaches to motivation mostly focus on the aspects that motivate employees to select specific behaviours among others. Initially, a certain need or deprivation is identified in the organisational context, followed by drives to fulfil that particular need, actions and satisfaction (Morris, 2009). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is the most widely used need-based approach, according to which people’s motivation is driven by their willingness to satisfy five distinct levels of needs. These are physiological needs, sense of security, belongingness, esteem, and self-actualisation as the highest need in the hierarchy to be satisfied (Mizuno et al., 2006). Individuals usually progress in terms of determining specific objectives and thus needs to meet in the process of such hierarchical organisation. Process-based approaches to motivation focus on how exactly motivation occurs in organisations. It is important to determine the way in which employees evaluate their own satisfaction once they have achieved their goals (Moynihan and Pandey, 2007). A common process-based approach to motivation is expectancy theory which was introduced by Victor Vroom. Expectancy theory indicates that motivation along with effort leads to performance which is directly linked to outcomes (University of Cambridge, n. d.). As a result, high performance may lead to high satisfaction of employees. Another process-based approach to motivation is identified as equity theory which was developed by J. Stacy Adams (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). The main assumption of equity theory is that upon the selection of particular actions to satisfy employee needs, individuals tend to evaluate the equity of the expected outcome. The equity element is important to maintain principles of accountability and transparency in t he workplace. Equity emerges as the firm belief that employees are treated in a fair and transparent manner which is relative to the treatment of other individuals in the workplace (Burton, 2012). Reinforcement-based approaches to motivation emphasise the impact of rewards on causing certain changes in individuals’ behaviour. For instance, such approaches are based around understanding that behaviour which arises from rewarding factors or consequences is more likely to be repeated in the future (Mizuno et al., 2006). Reinforcement contingencies reflect the emergence of possible outcomes that individuals may experience due to their specific choice of behaviour. Employees tend to select behaviour that can bring them immediate satisfaction and motivation to work in order to meet their personal and professional goals. Moreover, there are different approaches that have been implemented to provide reinforcement which is closely associated with motivation (Morris, 2009). A fixed-interval schedule has been found useful to reinforce employees at fixed intervals of time, irrespective of behaviour. A variable-interval schedule provides reinforcement at various times (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). Regardless of the specific way of providing reinforcement, it may be indicated that this technique is considered a valuable method to increase employee motivation. Groups and Teams, Group Leadership   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Research shows that effective leaders are expected to manage their responsibilities of being leaders and members of a team (Wu et al., 2010). It is important to ensure throughout the process that goals are realistic and measurable. It has been indicated that when groups and teams properly integrate their actions, the final result is improved performance. They have distinct roles in organisations, as the fulfilment of each role corresponds to collective goals and success (Val and Kemp, 2012). Team processes emerge as an adequate aspect of team performance. The formation of teams is necessary to facilitate the work of the entire organisation. Groups and teams are expected to perform in dynamic business environments. Therefore, group leadership appears an essential characteristic of effective team performance. Group leadership emphasises the necessity for leaders to define a proper team direction (Wu et al., 2010). The organisation of groups and teams should be done with the objective to optimise progress at all organisational levels. Researchers have stressed the substantial amount of interdependence which exists among team members. Constant collaboration is required in the process of achieving specific team goals (Li et al., 2012). For instance, groups and teams devote their efforts and time to exchange important information and resources in companies. The adaptation of team interaction is usually flexible considering the specific conditions that are present in organisations. Highly efficient groups and teams are identified as individuals whose aim is to demonstrate dynamic collective performance (Boos et al., 2014). Promoting individual and collective flexibility is a main driver of team effectiveness. As a result, group leadership is noted for its impact on team effectiveness. This type of leadership provides a realistic framework to team members of how they can complete their collective tasks in an efficient manner (Wu et al., 2010). Leaders usually emphasise the necessity of collaboration and active communication among team members. Leader planning and coordination activities represent part of the overall concept of group leadership. Group leadership suggests a solid element of facilitating the actions of groups and teams. The group efforts mostly matter in this process in terms of shared responsibility and accountability. The laissez-faire style is a relevant approach to group leadership, as emphasised by some researchers. It is commonly described as a ‘hands-off’ method, in which the group is provided with the resources which are necessary for the completion of a particular project (Li et al., 2012). However, group members are free to complete the outlined tasks with virtually no direct involvement by the group leader. In this case, the group leader serves a major facilitating function in the sense of being available to answer appropriate questions and motivate team members (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). Another approach to group leadership is identified as the abdacratic style, in which the group leader has no authority over team members. Even though this model of group leadership enhances individual and group creativity in organisations, it has been considered insufficient to perform major corporate tasks (Morris, 2009). The autocratic approach to group leadership places importance on a central process for making decisions in companies. The main leadership responsibility in this approach is usually given to a group of managers (Wu et al., 2010). They are held accountable for the decisions they make. Employees are free to discuss any suggestions or recommendations for improvement with their managers as part of this flexible approach to group leadership. Another style associated with team performance and group leadership is the democratic approach to leadership (Mizuno et al., 2006). This approach refers to extensive freedom and flexibility granted to employees who feel empowered to initiate certain activities in the workplace. The most proper utilisation of this method is in situations where different individuals indicate a high level of group shared responsibility for the actions of team members. The key decision-maker within the group tends to act as a facilitator of team goals and effectiveness. Critical Evaluation of Leadership and Organisational Behavioural Issues at Gore   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The fact that Gore is extensively focused on innovation at all organisational levels is indicative of the presence of strong leadership skills in the company, which along with good management practices have contributed to its success over the years (Gore Official Website, 2014). Considering that leaders replace managers to deliver high levels of innovation shows a strong commitment to an innovative corporate culture which aims at expanding the potential of employees and increasing the organisation’s capacities to differentiate the products and services it provides. This is important in achieving a substantial competitive advantage (Mizuno et al., 2006). The model of blending management and leadership can help individuals clarify specific categories or practices that help businesses prosper with time. At Gore, all employees communicate in a free and open manner which is an essential requirement to maintain a flexible, innovative corp orate climate. In turn, employees are empowered to expand their knowledge and responsibility (Boos et al., 2014). They clearly know that their opinion and practical contribution to the company is highly valued, and as a result, they devote their time and resources to demonstrate their capabilities in practice. Gore’s managers and leaders work together to improve organisational efficiency and productivity which would not have been possible without adopting an integrated and holistic approach to management and leadership (Gore Official Website, 2014). The company provides adequate examples of the role played by the ‘knowledge worker’ in the organisation’s procedures, plans and activities. Such type of employees is known for being able to boost productivity in organisations. Engaging the right people at Gore is crucial for its optimal performance throughout the years (Cicero et al., 2010). The ability to make commitments and keep them is a strong differentiating factor that has helped the company maintains a solid market presence. In addition, it has been indicated that the levels of employee motivation at Gore are high considering their constant engagement in different organisational activities, with the purpose to contribute to organisational excellence and success (Li et al., 2012). The specificity of work at Gore as well as the present relationships between the company and employees shows that employee motivation cannot be identified with the principles of scientific management (Cicero et al., 2010). The impact of human relations movement is quite strong at this organisation because all employees are motivated not by monetary rewards but by the necessity to be recognised for their contribution. Based on the performance of employees at Gore, it can be concluded that process-based approaches to motivation are mostly applicable. Motivation at this company is perceived as process oriented in the sense that employees are extensively focused on how they can participate in various processes to expand their knowledge and competencies (Gore Official Website, 2014). Gore’s employees act upon certain expectations in terms of motivation. This means that they clearly know that their actions will produce important results for the company, and thus their motivation is outcome based (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). In addition, the company’s employees try their best to ensure that they remain flexible and open to new suggestions for improvement within the organisation. It can be suggested that Gore has succeeded in building trust through the consistent engagement of teams. Therefore, the model of teams and group leadership corresponds to the specific business environment in this organisation (Li et al., 20120. The core activities of the team are important for achieving initially set goals for organisational performance. Gore has adopted a promising philosophical paradigm because it has persistently relied on prospects of developing the people (Wu et al., 2010). The lack of strict rules in the company implies that managers and leaders are oriented to ensuring a flexible culture in which employees have an opportunity to develop and share their voice in the company’s policies and procedures (Gore Official Website, 2014). It has been recognised that the company can function better without written rules. It can be more effective when all team members are enabled to participate actively in changing certain practices within the organisation. Gore’s philosophy of sharing values has been properly developed to reflect the company’s focus on introducing successful initiatives. Trust is one of these shared values making employees function as one whole (Morris, 2009). Innovation has become the norm, and the exploitation of new information technology has led to a better understanding of the dynamic relationship among all stakeholders. Teams set specific targets themselves, and this serves as a basis for their motivation to perform better in the long term (Mizuno et al., 2006). The sense of engagement of all team members in the projects introduced by leaders is evident throughout the organisation which has maintained a competitive position in the industry. Gore has been devoted to maintaining such culture of shared values. An important norm adopted by the organisation refers to the structure of a culture that energises associates. The expected outcome is the formation of effective teams, implying that the concept of group leadership is mostly relevant to the specific circumstances in which the organisation functions (Cicero et al., 2010). Sustained business success has become achievable because the company has placed importance on developing and enhancing its culture in a flexible way. The implementation of high performance practices shows that the company is results oriented in the sense that leaders introduce a framework of change and innovation with the presumption to achieve adequate results (Gilbreath and Karimi, 2012). As mentioned, traditional management practices are not valued at Gore because of its innovative direction presented by leaders. The pursuit of group objectives indicates high levels of motivation in the company whi ch employees accept as an opportunity to prove they are capable to fulfil their responsibilities. The replacement of management directives and rules with forms of constant, open communication has become one of the determining factors for Gore’s success. Research indicates that organisational communication is interrelated to better organisational efficiency and productivity (Morris, 2009). Regular communication also facilitates associates to share their ideas and insights into the performance of the organisation. The result is the formation of a flexible corporate culture that motivates employees to grow and develop in their area of expertise (Gore Official Website, 2014). When providing employees with freedom, they tend to demonstrate an intrinsic belief that they should deserve the trust of their managers and leaders. The company is constantly seeking new improvements in order to defend its prestigious image as an innovator in the field. The valuable contribution that employees make to the company is an indicator of the successful strategies implemented by leaders (Mizuno et al., 2006). Continuous innovation and success are the two main drivers of the organisation’s performance. Conclusion and Recommendations   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This paper focused on the exploration of major leadership and organisational behavioural issues in the context of Gore Company. The main conclusion drawn from the case study of this organisation is that it has a unique form of organisation when it comes to work responsibilities and employee relations (Gore Official Website, 2014). Gore has emphasised that constant communication and employee participation in work processes are fundamental for the success of the company. The paper also illustrated that leaders have been continuously introducing a culture of innovation which contributed to the substantial success of the organisation (Li et al., 2012). Therefore, another important conclusion that was derived from the critical evaluation of Gore’s case study is that the model of group leadership has proven efficient and reliable to improve employee productivity and motivation. However, it is important to provide specific recommendations to improve the situation in the company in terms of enhancing the group leadership model. The company should analyse its strengths and weaknesses in order to explore all relevant parameters of leadership (Wu et al., 2010). Being natural and humane in practice is an important condition to improve the performance of all stakeholders within the organisation. Humanity serves as an inspiring element as well as allows individuals to base their decisions on organisational reality (Cicero et al., 2010). Understanding of corporate unwritten rules is also fundamental for the future growth of the organisation. Team discussion should be encouraged along with training opportunities that can expand individual performance. Consistency and integrity of leaders’ actions are expected in the process of improving the company’s rules and principles which are applied in practice (Li et al., 2012). Individuals should have a clear id ea of any shortcomings pertaining to leadership and organisational behavioural issues in the company so that they can act accordingly to attain better performance indicators. References Boos, M., Pritz, J., Lange, S. and Belz, M. (2014). ‘Leadership in Moving Human Groups’. PLoS Computational Biology, vol. 10(4), pp1-9. Burton, K. (2012). ‘A Study of Motivation: How to Get Your Employees Moving’. Thesis. Indiana University. Available at: indiana.edu/~spea/pubs/undergrad-honors/volumn-6/Burton,%20Kelli%20-%20A%20Study%20of%20Motivation%20-%20How%20to%20Get%20Your%20Employees%20Moving%20-%20Faculty%20Cheryl%20Hughes.pdf [Accessed: 7 August 2014]. 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