IndexIntroductionLeadership Communication StyleLeadership Style - Blake and Mouton Management GridMaintaining ControlFollowing StyleThe Sea OrganizationConclusionRecommendationsIntroductionSince its inception, the practice of Scientology has been of great interest to many outside it due to its unconventional customs. The Church of Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1950 (Wood). Hubbard died in 1986, without naming any clear successor (Howell). David Miscavige accepted the challenge shortly thereafter and continues to lead as Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center. This role gives Miscavige a number of responsibilities, particularly as an "ecclesiastical leader" ("David Miscavige"). This report will analyze how David Miscavige employs effective and ineffective leadership qualities as the head of Scientology. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay While this report will focus on Miscavige's leadership, it is important to establish what Scientology is by describing some of its major practices and beliefs. In Hubbard's writings, Scientology is defined as “an applied religious philosophy and technology that solves problems of spirit, life, and thought” (Hubbard 2-5). The beliefs followed in Scientology are reportedly as follows: “75 million years ago[,] the Earth was known as Teegeeack and… an intergalactic warlord named Xenu brought here billions of his enemies from other stars and he vaporized them with hydrogen bombs. The souls of those beings still haunt our planet and auditing exorcises them” (Wood). Many call Scientology's beliefs bizarre, although others maintain that "the beliefs of Scientologists are no more bizarre than those of any other religion" (Bradshaw). Undoubtedly, David Miscavige must expend much effort in dispelling rumors about Scientology to preserve the organization. It's time to take a look at what Miscavige does to lead the Church of Scientology and maintain its existence. Leadership Communication Style David Miscavige believes in an authoritarian leadership style. He "maintains tight control over followers by directly regulating policies, procedures, and behaviors" and also by "creating distance between himself and his followers as a means of emphasizing role distinctions" (Hackman and Johnson). This is supported by past and current figures, including one of the most respected figures in the Church; Debbie Cook suggested that the organization lost its way under Miscavige's direction. According to some, he is considered a tyrant who is not afraid to punish those who oppose him or remove leaders from their positions (Miami). Rathbun, a former senior executive and spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, who once defended Miscavige from all charges, now claims he is nothing more than a five-foot-tall bully who physically attacks his subordinates (Nark). The current leader abuses those under his command and isolates followers from their families, using his fists to touch people's lives. It is also alleged that actor Tom Cruise was forced to divorce Nicole Kidman in 2001 at Miscavige's behest. Kidman's father was known to be a critic of Scientology. A stern and authoritarian leader like Miscavige would not allow his authority to be questioned (Howell). This also contributes to the perceived power distance of Scientologists. There is great power distance, as is consistent with his rigid authoritarian leadership. His word is law and any argument can lead to an individual's expulsion from the group(Growing Clear). Although Miscavige has greatly inspired many current and former followers, he continues to maintain tight control over the Church, ensuring that each individual does what they believe will benefit the religion. To some famous people like TomCruise, who identify as Scientologists, Miscavige is seen as a competent, intelligent, tolerant and compassionate man (Nark). Because Cruise is such a high-profile celebrity, Miscavige cleverly manipulates him by rewarding good behavior. After Miscavige convinced Cruise to divorce Kidman, Cruise and Miscavige were on good terms again. According to Ortega, «in 2004, Tom Cruise was the most enthusiastic Scientologist in the world, and Miscavige wanted to recognize this. He called it "The Medal of Freedom for Valor" and they put together this thirty-five minute video. In it the idea simply comes out that Tom Cruise is the Ambassador of Scientology to the world” (Going Clear). John Travolta has also been a faithful Scientologist for many years. Travolta said, “I am part of a frontier, in a sense, that very few people get to be part of” (Howell). While they do not relate to Miscavige's leadership style, these personality traits can be exemplified in his humanitarian efforts. Following in Hubbard's footsteps, Miscavige believes he plays an important role in the global community as a religious leader, as he is part of a Church recognized as a legitimate religious institution. Miscavige has used his power for a wide variety of initiatives, including drug rehabilitation and prevention, as well as work against illiteracy ("David Miscavige"). Leadership Style - Blake and Mouton Management Grid David Miscavige's leadership style fits that of Authority Obedience Management under the Blake and Mouton Management Grid. This type of leadership focuses less on the people within the organization and more on the task at hand. There is little or no concern for the value of human life (Hackman and Johnson). “Some former members have reported abuse under his command. Some have called Miscavige a dictator who isolates followers from their families and uses his fists to touch people's lives” (Nark). The efficiency of operations within the church is the result of “arranging working conditions in such a way that human elements interfere to the least degree” (Hackman and Johnson). Miscavige is a leader who lets nothing stand in his way. For to complete certain tasks, he is not afraid to abuse and mistreat members of the Church. In the past, those who have hindered him have faced disciplinary action and many leaders have even been removed from their positions (Miami). he's a true believer. He uses and abuses people on a personal level. That's how he got to the top. That's how he stayed at the top" (Going Clear). to the highest-ranking leaders of the Sea Org” (Alex Gibney, Going Clear). of the Sea Org. at Scientology's gold base in Southern California. He forced them to live in a pair of double-wide trailers that became 'The Hole'” (Alex Gibney, Going Clear). According to Rinder, a former spokesperson for the Church of Scientology, “The doors had bars on them. All the windows had bars and there was a front door where a security guard sat twenty-four hours a day” (Going Clear). DeVocht says, "We were told we had to make up what each other's crimes were against Miscavige and Hubbard so we could eventually get out of the hole."(Going Clear). With tactics like those shown above, it is evident that David Miscavige has little regard for followers of the Church of Scientology, caring only about tasks that need to be performed for the benefit of the church or himself. Keeping Control Miscavige supported Hubbard's dream policies and procedures after his death. The "Fair Game" policy has been the most convincing in the history of Scientology. Tony Ortega, a journalist, explains (Going Clear): “This comes directly from Hubbard's policies in the 1960s. He [Hubbard] said, "We never defend, we always attack." And they have followed him ever since. They called it 'Fair Game' and anyone who criticizes Scientology is 'Fair Game'.” Scientology has always had problems with the government because it considered itself a religion and should not have to pay taxes. When Hubbard was in power, he fled the United States to avoid paying millions of dollars in taxes (Going Clear). However, a pivotal moment for Scientology was October 1, 1993, when the IRS deemed Scientology a religion and granted them tax exemption. Miscavige said, “What we're going to talk about today is a war to end all wars” (Going Clear). Lawrence Wright, author of the book Going Clear, further explains: “Faced with this crisis, Miscavige formulated a strategy” (Going Clear). Not only was the church suing the IRS, but Scientologists also began reporting individuals within the IRS and investigating the IRS for general crimes that had nothing to do with the Church (Going Clear). Alex Gibney concluded: "[The IRS] forgave the billion-dollar tax bill and gave Scientology tax exemption... Miscavige let Goldberg know that if they could get tax-exempt status, all those lawsuits would disappear overnight" (Going Clear). The entire organization is also set on the "bait and switch" concept. According to Paul Haggis, when he first joined, he thought that Scientology was something simply intended to help one achieve one's personal goals in life (Going Clear). However, Ortega explains, “you have to be a Scientologist for seven or eight years and earn a couple of hundred thousand dollars before you finally know the backstory of Xenu, the overlord of the galaxy. Now, if they told you this on day one, how many people would join? (Going clear). This success inspired followers to remain part of the Church and demonstrated that Miscavige was a worthy leader, thus allowing him to maintain control over his followers. Hubbard invented the electropsychometer to perform what he called "auditing sessions." These sessions were aimed at helping people resolve their anxieties and inner problems. What many people didn't understand was that the Church recorded and used their confidential information to control their behavior. “One reason for Cruise's loyalty to Scientology, the film [Going Clear] alleges, is that Miscavige maintains a file of intelligence documenting the church's claim that Cruise engages in 'perverted sex.' That description of Cruise's sex life, which was not elaborated on, comes from one of several former Scientologists interviewed by Gibney” (The Star). “Cruise ended his 11-year marriage to Kidman in 2001 after Miscavige became suspicious of Kidman's father, a prominent Australian psychologist critical of Scientology. As for Boniadi, also an actress and star of the television series Homeland, the film says Cruise cruelly chased her away after she was carefully groomed to be with him (including orthodontic work and $20,000 worth of clothes), because he accidentally disrespected Miscavige. (The Star). Because of friendshipof Miscavige and influence over him, Cruise is easily manipulated into doing whatever Miscavige decides will benefit the Church. Following Style Scientologist believers are conformists; “are committed to organizational goals but express few thoughts of their own” (Hackman and Johnson). They carefully follow the rules set forth both by the book of Dianetics and by their past and current ecclesiastical leaders. According to Lorne Dawson, a professor at the University of Waterloo, "They [followers] sincerely believe that their lives [through joining Scientology] gain purpose and meaning and that they have a superior view of the world" (Allemang). Under David Miscavige's authoritarian leadership style, which maintains tight control over believers, Scientologists have been led to withhold thoughts and ideas out of fear of authority (Beebe et al 88). Mrs. Jenna Miscavige, granddaughter of David Miscavige believes that "Scientology makes it difficult for devotees to abandon the faith... as the church threatens its dissidents with harsh retaliation." Many followers are often educated from early childhood. For Mrs. Miscavige, this tactic is disgusting. “It's taking complete advantage of someone who is innocent, vulnerable and has no one there to protect them” (Globe & Mail). Members are conformists, trained at a young age and with an institutional fear of Scientology's executive members. They are afraid to speak openly or badly about religion, thus holding back ideas. Conformity may also be the reason Scientology continues to grow. Canadian Scientology leaders say there are 100,000 Scientologists in Canada, although a previous government-led census recorded only 1,525 (Allemang). While it does not attract as many followers as leaders desire, with followers obeying church rules, membership will continue to increase. "Scientology's growth strategy depends on supporting the children of the most fervent Scientologists, people raised in the faith and accustomed to its ways." Many current Scientologists are born into the religion and have no choice but to partake in their beliefs (Allemang). The Sea Organization The book Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape is written by Jenna Miscavige Hill, the granddaughter of Scientology leader David Miscavige. Jenna Miscavige Hill is an American former Scientologist in Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape, Jenna describes her growth in the church, her life as a member of the Sea Org, the church's most devout core group. Jenna details in her book what it meant to be sent away as a child to receive an education in Scientology, the work that was forced upon her, the harassment she faced from officials her entire life (Hill). Not only is she related to Scientology's most powerful member, but after leaving the Church of Scientology in 2005, she became a prominent critic of the organization and of David Miscavige himself. Jenna Miscavige appears on "Piers Morgan Live" to discuss her book "Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape." There he admits to Piers that his uncle, David Miscavige, would be considered "evil". You talk about David Miscavige, saying that “someone who decides whether thousands of people can't have children, runs a church where he forces abortion, puts people in jobs, and separates them from their families would truly be considered “evil” (“ Jenna Miscavige talks about Piers Morgan tonight, 02/05/2013."). Furthermore, Miscavige inspired fear among Sea Org members. He has also been described as controlling and acting as if he were a superior authority figure within the organization. He also explains that he forms a group from.