Reflections on The Ideological Genesis of Needs Essay

Reflections on The Ideological Genesis of Needs - Essay Example Secondly it is considered as an object with an influential brand name in which case the function is forgotten and can be replaced by any other branded object and to be used as a possession of prestige to generate the same feeling status. The further discussions are on the exchange value, the symbolic and the sign value that are derived out of non-utilitarian objectives and gives a symbolic meaning to the object least taking it for the function it is meant for. The author thus considers the four logics of the object regarding (1) its utility, (2) the market price, (3) the symbolic value as a gift and (4) of a sign value as a status. The 'object of consumption' assumes its position when it disassociates its position as a utilitarian object, a symbol or as a commodity. Its sign value makes it as the object of consumption. The utilitarian object is irreplaceable barring the objects having the same function. Here the object has a relation with its function.

Leadership and Team-working Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Leadership and Team-working - Essay Example After all the leader is only an individual with limited capacity and it would be an exaggeration to credit to him or her all the performance of a team. Yukl however mentioned that â€Å"it [would be] helpful to examine the collective process that determine team performance. Leaders can improve team performance by influencing these processes in a positive way† (Yukl, 2013 pg 361) and having said this, the definition has acknowledged that the efficacy of a leader is dependent on his or her ability to engage the members of the team collectively and make it function as a team. Directing the team towards a common goal requires the members to be motivated by the leader. The definition given was inadequate because it does not provide the method to motivate team member to be directed towards a common goal. This leadership motivation includes visioning, expressing confidence in the team and celebrating progress. It is also important to involve team members in making decisions to affirm that they belong to the team. Managerial functions is also a necessary part of leadership such as selecting competent team members and coaching/training them to be able to perform well. An effective leader must also identify the obstructions for effective team working and be able to break down these barriers. These barriers could be miscommunication and factionalism that could divide the team and render it nonfunctional. Parker and Stone provided an answer on how these obstructions be overcome by highlighting the importance of communication and relationships between team members and calls for the effective interpersonal skill for the leader to overcome obstructions of effective team working (Parker and Stone, 2002). The classic case that can be cited on how a leader has effectively improved a team performance is the legendary Steve Jobs, Apple’s co-founder. During the absence of Steve Jobs, Apple was nearing bankruptcy but when he took over the company,