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.

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

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

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.

When it comes to the topic of leadership, most of us are curious about our leaders as well as critical of them and their actions. Leaders set the tone, vision, and goals of any organization. Hence, a leader’s behavior and leadership style are constantly scrutinized. Northouse (2009) has suggested that leadership has a huge impact on the culture of an organization and how people communicate within the organization. Therefore, the action of leaders should inspire also positively impact followers. After all, a leader’s approach and handling of adversities highlights many features of his/her character.

Over the last seven years, I have been fortunate to increase my potential as a leader through the positions I have held, the professional development opportunities I have been afforded and, most of all, the opportunity I have had to be part of the Educational Leadership Doctoral program at the University of Delaware. I joined the ACCESS (Adapting Curriculum and Classroom Environments for Student Success) Project at the University of Delaware's Center for Disabilities Studies in the fall of 2011 as an instructional coach for the state. I was young and inexperienced in my role as a teacher-leader but was eager to learn. I wanted to know in what ways I could make a difference for students with disabilities. As I began doctoral classes in the spring

The topic of leadership evokes curiosity about our leaders and their approaches in decision making, leadership styles and the effectiveness of their leadership. At time leaders are critiqued for their actions or views on different business affairs. In today’s working environment leaders set the tone, vision, and goals of any organization. Leadership has a huge impact on the culture of an organization and how people communicate within the organization (Northouse, 2009). The actions of leaders should inspire and positively impact their followers. The approach of leaders in handling adversities highlights many features of their character.

In starting my reflection process for this leadership journal, thinking of the “worst leader” was quite difficult. I have honestly been fortunate and have not had many experiences with poor leadership. But after some careful thought and consideration, I was able to determine the best and worst leader. In comparing the differences between the two leaders, the trait approach accounts for more of the differences. The best leader clearly possesses more innate qualities that makes her the best leader. She is a charismatic leader, seems very self-confident and exhibits determination in both her professional and personal life. She also has the trait of sociability. She always presents herself in a warm, welcoming, positive, confident manner.

Leadership is an attempt to influence the people around the leader and try to direct them to accomplish the desired goal. The leadership skills contain influence people to reach their goal which is finally benefiting the organization to achieve its goals. In addition to, it contains the ability to influence and motivate in order to reach goals. Leadership skills exist within each individual that can be shown at the time of external events or the individual can learn it through training. The importance of leadership summaries as a source of the interaction between employees and the organization and its future plans. Also, it is a tool used in order to unite efforts to achieve the goals. One of the benefits of leadership is eliminating labor problems and develops and motivates individuals. The leadership is defined as making accurate decisions in urgent situations. (1)

The book Resilient Leader discusses many avenues of direction to promptly lead and organize. The three components learned will be discussed in this paper are courage, knowledge and wisdom, these three components have a congruent purpose that will be explained in this paper. The next section includes strategies that organizations can use to improve their processes, to build up their leaders’ leadership skills, and increase their performance. The last sections contain a biblical integration of courage, knowledge, and wisdom, followed by concluding remarks.

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.