Georgette Mosbacher is the CEO and president of Borghese, Inc., which is headquartered in New York City. The firm manufactures and markets luxury cosmetics, skin care, and fragrance products internationally. Mosbacher has led several entrepreneurial ventures and is active in a number of volunteer and advocacy pursuits. She is the author of It Takes Money, Honey, a guide written to help women achieve financial freedom, and Feminine Force, an inspirational book designed to assist women in achieving their full potential.

This case is based on excerpts from an in-depth interview of Mosbacher.

What accounts for your success in so many areas? 1 have always been curious and I’ve always been an achiever. I’m very tenacious, as well; I don’t give up on things. Furthermore, it’s just my nature to be adventurous. I’mvery willing to go out and try new ventures.

What insights into the process of buying a firm can you offer?

If I had to stress one central theme, it would be this: An entrepreneur has to persevere. This involves beating the bushes to raise the funds necessary to make the purchase, developing a comprehensive business plan, having a vision and a plan of action, and then going out and selling the idea.

You must convince potential investors that you can accomplish that which you envision for the business, and that their investments will pay off. Financing is the first challenge an entrepreneur faces in the process of buying a firm. Obviously, money is necessary to get a company going. The second challenge is being able to deliver on your vision and your business plan. Entrepreneurs have to turn over every stone, analyze every possibility, and must not let rejection get them down. Tenacity is the key to success...........

Questions
1. How would you characterize Mosbacher in terms of the contemporary view of leadership versus the traditional view of management. Use ‘Table 9.1 in developing your assessment.
2. What types of interpersonal sources of power are reflected in Mosbacher’s comments? Give specific examples of her remarks that are related to each type of power identified.
3. Based on the Theory X/Theory Y model of leadership, how would you describe Mosbacher?
4. How would you assess Mosbacher in relation to the behavioral model of leadership?