Leadership Reflection

Throughout this course, our textbook readings, the posting to threaded discussions, my responses to a classmate’s post, and reading various classmates’ responses helped further digest, comprehend, and synthesize the leadership content within Daft’s “The Leadership Experience” textbook. Our weekly lectures with various classmates’ interpretations and responses during the open discussion forums about the textbook themes brought a variety of unique viewpoints to the specific leadership topics. This reflection paper was an extension of this learning, and provided a deep introspection about leadership concepts; how did I, how am I, and how can I apply this knowledge in my workplace. This writing exercise uncovered new meaning and insights while both challenging and supporting certain personal views and ideas about leadership.

What are some of the personal dynamics in my life that impact my leadership style? I believe that it all starts with me and how I raise my children. As a parent, you are called to be a leader. We teach our children to be honest, respectful and, do their best at whatever they set out to accomplish. We do this in hopes that when the time comes for them to leave home, they will have a firm understanding of what it takes to be a good person. The similarities in parenting roll into my leadership at work. As a leader, we apply the same principles that we are teaching our children to our constituents, in hopes that they aspire to grow in their professional lives.

Leadership books abound in modern publishing with each promising proven technique to make leaders and teams more effective. Each of the five books assigned provided a different perspective of leadership but several key themes resonated through each. In their own ways, the authors addressed leader identity, risk, competence, hard work, knowledge of people and proper view of self.

When I began this course I was very nervous because I had no idea of the scope of the course. I was unfamiliar with the Canadian education system and other students. After receiving instructions from my professor, I introduced myself to the person beside me and this process helped to break the ice. I developed a good friendship with the student and this technique used by the professor helped me develop better communication and relationship skills. After few classes, I felt very comfortable and the nervousness and anxiety faded away. I learned about leadership, power relationships in the profession, personal, cultural, professional and organizational, each of which is very important in the nurse’s career. I also gained knowledge regarding client centred care.

I started my job as an SI (Supplemental Instructions) Leader in fall 2015 teaching Calculus I. I wanted to be an SI Leader because many people have previously told me that I am a very good teacher and I wanted to give back to the program that helped me be successful and still continues to do so. When I first arrived at Texas Tech, I attending SI sessions because I realized that I needed extra help. SI sessions are 90 minute sessions that a leader holds twice a week every week. The purpose of these sessions is to present different study skills while reinforcing material that the professor teaches. To become a leader in a subject, I needed an A in that course. However, due to the lack of math SI Leaders, they were willing to give me a chance

For the last 8 years of my career I have been in leadership positions within financial service organisations. I have lead team of up to 30 people, across multiple regions and locations, and I have been in leadership positions that have no direct report and required a high level of stakeholder management and influencing skills to achieve outcomes. My first leadership position was with QBE Insurance were I was a team leader for 18 people in the Property and Casualty Insurance claims department. IN this role I was responsible for leading, coaching and developing my team to ensure we maintained required service levels and financial results. From this role I moved into a National role with the Commonwealth Bank, were I lead a support function team

According to the Introduction to Strategic Studies Course Directive, “This year presents an opportunity to walk in the shoes of senior leaders making difficult and complex decisions before you begin wearing them upon graduation.’’ From the above sentence I can conclude that, this paper could be the beginning of my journey to wear the higher level leaders’ shoes. As I am now starting preparation for a future senior leadership assignment, I have to equip myself with the required knowledge and skills in order to act as senior military leader.

“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

Chapters 5 through 8 discuss what is leadership? Which author aligns with your beliefs on what is leaderships? Explain in detail. I believe leadership is very diverse and has many definitions depending on the situation and the individual’s involved. In my view leadership is one’s ability to make a positive impact based on the needs of many by influencing others to cultivate their vision. A leader has to foster an environment of trust, honesty, and professionalism while encouraging some fun within the workplace. After reading Chapters 5 through 8 I would have to agree with the authors of Chapter 8 by Hughes, Ginnett, and Curphy I strongly agree in a lot of the thoughts shared by the authors on leadership. I totally agree with the authors in

I am committed to continuous learning and have a strong desire to inspire others to action through exceptional leadership and a clear vision that promotes the delivery of superior services, both internally and externally. The Behavioral Health Division will benefit by receiving the highest level of competence and ethical practice along with a personal commitment to quality. I embrace challenges and will initiate and support any necessary changes within the organization. This program will further promote my creativity and innovation, which will enhance the work environment and the delivery of services to the public. My leadership style is a combination of charismatic and innovative. I am extremely energetic and motivate others to move forward

Reflective learning is important as it allows one to realize their strengths and weaknesses, develop self-awareness, understand how you learn, and plan your own development (University of Kent, 2012). According to Barbour (2013), “reflective practice is the cyclic process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern, triggered by an experience, which creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self, existing knowledge, and experience; resulting in a changed conceptual perceptive and practice” (p. 7). This allows us to better understand ourselves so that we can grow and develop. There are ten complexity principles that help leaders thrive in the environment of chaos and complexity. Moreover, leaders need to qualities of courage and will to be effective. There are several leadership assessment surveys that one can take to learn more about themselves in order to understand areas of strengths and areas where growth is needed.

During Phase I of the course, leaders are trained on common core skills and leader development, with emphasis on Army Writing leadership, physical fitness, property accountability, NCOER's equal opportunity, train the force, and risk management. As the course progresses, it focuses on training skill level 3 enlisted personnel to supervise shop operations and diagnose wheeled vehicles and material handling equipment. In addition, this course centered on senior wheeled vehicle mechanic and maintenance supervisor skills and duty positions. Training focused on enhanced skills in leadership, communication and logistics management, practical and classroom exercises, discussions, presentations and lectures. Topics include Ordnance history, stress

The field of nursing is dynamic, challenging, and continuously changing, requiring strong and encouraging nurse leaders. From working at the bedside and providing direct patient care, nurses leaders are in a unique position to promote safe and quality patient care. A systematic review by Wong, Cummings, & Ducharme (2013) found that the relational leadership style resulted in improved patient satisfaction and patient safety outcomes, such as lower patient mortality, reduced medication errors, reduced restrain use, and fewer hospital-acquired infections. With a continuously changing and demanding healthcare environment, identifying and developing nurse leaders is challenging. Self-reflection and awareness is necessary to be a good leader, allowing one to identify limitations in leadership style to develop and improve upon leadership skills.

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.

Due to my passive nature, I’ve always avoided leadership roles. With that being said I still aspire to be someone who can be looked to as a leader. In order to reach that goal I observe and try to mimic the actions of people that inspire me. There have been many people I’ve taken orders from, but I have “followed” few. Those are the ones I consider to be true leaders, and have tried to be like myself.