Leadership Reflection

Leadership, which is defined as “…The action of leading a group of people or an organization” is used in many different ways. Most people think being a leader is mostly about being the boss, having people work under you and just becoming successful, but it boils down to more than that. Leaders are those individuals that actually utilize their many abilities in leadership and administration to help make a better change for themselves, the people around them and the goal that needs to be achieved. Leadership is not an expertise that can essentially be grabbed from a book or article based on leadership but instead it is one of those initiative abilities that are increased through experience and understanding those real life situations.

Integrity is more than being honest. Integrity is one of the values employers look for when selecting employees; a person with integrity carries their values with them in everything they do. To act in a manner that is morally and legally right is being a leader or person of integrity. This type of leader is consistent in doing what is right, legally and morally (Dees, 2014). One a person loses their integrity, it is almost impossible to get it back. Linnartz (2012) said integrity can be understood by how well we live and meaningfully connect our values into our daily life and work. Having integrity and having a leadership philosophy in line with good personal values will improve the relationship a leader has with colleagues. Having a leader that lacks integrity is a recipe for workplace chaos or conflict. According to Schachter (2013), a leader with integrity will walk the talk; their deeds match their words. The leader will be honest, moral, and

One definition of leadership states that it is a process by which a group is influenced and directed by a particular member of the group to reach a common goal (Northouse 2010). Many other definitions exist, suggesting that it is a concept as fluid and individual as leaders themselves (Curtis et al. 2011).

Integrity is a core character of being a leader. Employees want to know that their leader is worthy of their trust. A leader with integrity will likely be highly respected and withstand the test of time. As described by Dees (2013), “integrity on a higher plane is the seamless integration of faith, family, and profession

In my opinion the term leadership is a very broad and various definitions are given by authors. One definition of leadership is that it is

According to Webster’s Dictionary, leadership is the power or ability to lead other people, the act or instance of leading. I believe that Leadership is an art, the art to get others to follow and accomplish a common goal or task in a harmonic manner. A leader can be shown in all kinds of shapes and forms. To be a great leader many people believe it consists of modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart. Over the course of me learning how to become a better leader and being in leadership roles, I’ve learned that all these are very necessary to be a great leader.

Leadership is defined in many different ways by many different academics and professionals. A few words that resonate with the meaning include management, control, guidance, headship, direction and governance. My basic definition for the word describes it as a technique used to manage and guide individuals or groups of individuals in a specific direction to achieve a common goal. However this is a bit too basic for my liking. While conducting the research for this manifesto I found two definitions that I thought were more interesting and quite charming. Tom Landry defines leadership as “getting someone to do what they don’t want to do, to achieve what they want to achieve” (Murphy, 2010). Alternatively Otto Scharmer stated, “at its core, leadership is about shaping and shifting how individuals and groups attend and subsequently respond to a situation” (Scharmer, 2007).

Integrity is an essential character quality that defines an effective leader. Integrity is a unifying element; it means more than telling the truth. Integrity is concerned with right and wrong, and adherence to a set of values (Satterlee, 2013, p. 7). In that, integrity speaks on the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles – moral uprightness. A resilient leader should hold steady to their morals when faced with an ethical dilemma. “Leader integrity matters because it plays a significant role in the decision process used by followers when determining who they will follow, who they will trust, to whom they will be loyal and committed, and ultimately for whom they will perform” (Moorman & Grover, 2009, p.107). A leader’s integrity goes beyond their personal character make-up, subordinates will feel a sense of connection to a leader who acts with

“It is unequivocally clear that leaders are not like other people” (Kirkpatrick and Locke, 1991, as cited in Northouse, P. G., 2016, p.22). I have always thought that I was not like other people; I see the world through a different lens. This difference, which sets me apart from my peers, has sometimes restrained my progress; however, after studying my differences and seeing them as strengths, I can now focus on these strengths that make me a unique, passionate, progressive leader. In reflecting on my leadership skills, I will analyze the results of the leadership questionnaires, as presented in Peter Northouse’s book, Leadership:Theory and practice (7th ed.), connect those result strengths with the

Integrity is defined as following your moral or ethical convictions and doing the right thing in all circumstances, even if no one is watching you. Having integrity means you are true to yourself and would do nothing that demeans or dishonors you. When employees are asked what they want from leaders it is integrity. Qualities change across culture and time, but what people say they want most in American society is integrity. When people are asked to define integrity, the word they mention most frequently is honesty. The leader with integrity always tells the truth as he or she believes it to be. Think about the best leader you have ever had; she or he probably had integrity. First and foremost, people want a leader they can trust. Ask yourself whether you have a reputation for integrity. (Manning 6) Integrity can be broken down into sub components:

My definition of leadership is the capacity to motivate and to lead others towards a shared objective or want with the capacity to empower individuals and enable them to look for their method for accomplishing their objectives, empowering imagination and diversity and having the capacity to influence these diversities to work. A leader ought to likewise be consistent with communication, in a way that speaks to the standards professed in each part of individual lives. Leaders ought to have a huge feeling of regard for their environment and be exceptionally cautious with how they communicate. As a leader I should have the capacity to guide myself and impact people around me, being a role model with expected behaviors, and leverage strength,

On the morning of November 2, 2017, I woke up upset and feeling unmotivated—this tends to happen from time-to-time. In fact, I have a habit of second-guessing every step that I take, as well as tend to underestimate myself, especially my ability to succeed academically and professionally. As I walked out of my room and into the bathroom, I found myself being speechless; however, my state-of-mind began to change the moment I started getting dressed to head to New York City, the “world arena, to attend a DPI and NGO youth lead briefing—“An In-Depth Look at How You Can Affect Change Through Policy and Action.” As I got dressed, I told myself the following: “Kevin, you are succeeding and you will continue to succeed and make a difference in society.” I fully realized this the moment my colleagues and I began making our way to the “world arena.” My colleague, Kristina Tawadros and I currently have a pivotal leadership role in Felician’s United Nations Fellowship Program. For the past two weeks, Kristina and I have been leading our class to the United Nations, and it has been an amazing and life-changing experience for me. When I think of leadership, I think of taking the importance of taking initiative and sharing of one’s passion for the work that he or she does. In fact, Robin Sharma, a Canadian writer, lawyer, and leadership speaker once said, “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results,

As an educational leader, I have encountered several new and existing school policies. I never thought deeply about the various processes and the stakeholders involved in policy formulation and implementation. This semester I am engaged in the course Managing Educational Policy as School Leaders (EDLM 6005). This is Semester III, 2016/2017. My course coordinator is Dr. Timar Stephenson. Dr Stephenson was my course coordinator once before and was very helpful whenever I needed clarification or when I had a difficulty. I am thrilled to embrace the new ideas and learning opportunities embedded in this course since it teaches issues which I experience at work. Dr Stephenson, during his introduction reminded his entire class that success in this course would only be realized through hard work, dedication, and commitment. Therefore, it is imperative that I have the right attitude as I navigate this course. The course involves seven weeks of intense work. I am pleased to have a wonderful group facilitator by the name of Rhonda Joseph who has already given us a BBC to explain the requirements of the course and our first two modules.

Famous author Daniel Goleman said, “Self awareness means having a deep understanding of one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, needs, and drives.” This quote describes one of the most fundamental takeaways from my class: Religion, Violence and Strategy: How to Stop Killing in the Name of God. Professor Jerry White taught our class, when examining a conflict, is is essential to go beneath the surface, symptoms and effects and find the root cause. Albeit this way of examining conflicts in the Middle East and abroad is effective when trying to achieve impact, I now believe that this same root cause thinking can be applied personally when examining one’s leadership ability and potential. Using this strategy, I am now aware of my greatest

For a quick review, the definition of leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group or individuals, to achieve a common goal.