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Becoming An Effective Leader

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Who am I? At this point in my life I really only participate in three groups. My family, my work and my school. I do not currently choose not to participate in social circles as my family, work and school dominate the majority of my time and I dedicate the rest of my time to personal activities that are typically solo activities. My primary group and function is my family. In my family primarily I am in a position of responsibility and leadership. As a husband and father of three boys I am primarily an expressive leader with the occasional need to be an instrumental leader. As the instrumental leader I challenge my boys and set goals for them to attempt to achieve. More importantly and more often I am the expressive leader. Even in the goals …show more content…

I originally had a two year commit and then was recalled off Inactive Ready Reserve for Desert Storm after I had been out for a year. However, to this day that brief time continues to have an impact on who I am in many facets of my life. The resocialization was intense. The military is a coercive organization. What is acceptable in civilian life is not acceptable in military life. Most all deviant behavior is corrected with formal sanctions. Conforming is mandatory, expected and is the social norm. The leadership is style is almost always as of an authoritarian and instrumental leader and very rarely is an expressive leadership style shown. It is typically referred out to a chaplain or other outlet so as to keep the structure, discipline and separation of leader and subordinate clear and distinct. When one promotes within the military added responsibility and leadership is granted. For me the role of leader was new as previously I had learned through experience to conform to group norms to quickly fit in and rarely assumed a leadership role. However, in the military they want leaders. They promote from within and the roles are given in increments and added upon your successes. I quickly found I loved being in charge and could quickly and easily motivate people in a positive manner through setting examples and explaining the goals instead of just demanding. That experience showed me that I could combine being an instrumental leader in setting goals and an expressive leader in understanding the needs of individuals I have spent the time to come to know and connect with. Using that knowledge and information to inspire groups and individuals to meet goals and how those goals help advance the group and individual. Since leaving the military every job I have had has lead me into a management role even if I start at the bottom rung of the ladder I quickly become a leader. I believe most people naturally

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