Challenges of E-Leadership and Management

This paper provided by marketing plan writing service presents a discussion on the challenges of e-leadership and management. The lessons to be learnt and the relevance of the topic in the field of oil and gas industry are also presented. E-leadership is the process of positively influencing people's attitudes, behaviours, and aspirations towards the success or attainment of some determined goals by the use of technological advancements. At the same time, management is the process of organizing, leading, planning, and motivating employees towards achievement of the objectives of an organization. Modern organizations are faced with a challenge and opportunity of operating in an environment that has experienced immense technological improvements. Technology has greatly changed the modes and styles of communication. Organizations have been forced to adopt change and embrace technology in case they become uncompetitive. Challenges associated with e-leadership are explained and discussed below.

E-leadership utilizes electronic media for communication. The use of the internet services like e-mail, video conferencing, and social media sites is the most popular channels. Communication by use of these online channels requires everyone to receive the message via the internet. Where an instant response is required, it may not be obtained if one is not logged in. Technology often fails. It utilizes other inputs to function. Power, is the most notable one. Whenever there are power outages, or areas that are not supplied with power, sending urgent message may not be possible. This would have an adverse effect, since communication is essential in the leadership process.

Differences in time zones across the globe imply that video conferencing requires to be scheduled at particular times when everyone would be able to participate. This may not coincide appropriately to everyone. It would be a challenge where the parties involved are in regions with large time differences. E-leadership can only be effective in regions with uninterrupted power and internet access. Similarity in time zones may also be required. Such concerns limit the effectiveness of e-leadership. E-leadership would be ineffective due to the lack of physical presence and touch. For a leader to make an effective decision, understanding all aspects involved is important. The environment of an organization would require to be mastered for sound deliberations by the leader. Building of trust, the ability to inspire without ever meeting the leader is a challenge. The employees or teams would find it difficult to believe and follow their leader given that they have never met physically and may never meet.

The above are the notable challenges regarding e-leadership. This section offers lessons to be learned from e-leadership in the oil and gas industry. It is significant to note that the industry operates globally. Understanding of the above challenges offers a platform for addressing the discussed challenges. Where they are appropriately tackled, an organization concerned would find it easy to undertake their operations. The above challenges mostly touch the lack of physical touch and the differences in time zones. Oil and gas industry organizations can solve the challenges above by regionalizing their operations. Organizations can be grouped into regions based on the time zones. For example, those that fall within one continent can be grouped under one large group, which would be divided into regional subgroups.

Where such divisions are made, managers would then be appointed and assigned duties within their areas of jurisdiction. These will link the activities within regions and those at the head office. In so doing, the local touch would be guaranteed, and the differences in time zones are addressed. This would prove effective. Operations of the oil and gas industry organizations would not be interrupted due to challenges of e-leadership. The lessons learnt present the challenges and their possible solutions by the oil and gas industry organizations.