Personal Leadership Platform
Ryan M. Reynolds
University of Oklahoma
Personal Leadership Platform
My leadership platform will focus on three main leadership traits: vision, competence, and empathy. Without these three traits, I believe one may be considered a manager but not a leader. How these characteristics are developed, employed, and classified will also be covered. It is important to note that leadership must be built on a foundation of honesty and trust, otherwise, the successes will be far outnumbered by the failures as subordinates lose trust in the vision regardless of the competence and see empathy as manipulation. Built on a foundation of honesty and trust, however, subordinates will be
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92). Retired Lieutenant Colonel Harry C. Garner also writes, “to lead successfully, a person must demonstrate two active essential, interrelated traits: expertise [competence] and empathy; this personal development is the first important building block of leadership” (p. 84). He goes on to explain that “tough empathy requires firm, direct, and value-driven action that does not sacrifice standards but remains sensitive to ensuring followers grow and develop during the process” (p. 86). Competence alone does not increase referent power. However, a leader that displays empathy will garner trust and loyalty. An empathetic leader has the opportunity to use referent power instead of positional. When leaders use referent power they have a greater capacity to motivate and inspire. General Schwarzkopf said it best: “Great leaders stand before a platoon and see not a platoon but 44 individuals” (in Tribus, 2005, p. 25). It is crucial for me to improve as a leader; the Army contends that leadership is the single most important factor for mission success (Skaggs, 1997, p. 650). Yukl (2010) addresses several ways to develop and improve leadership traits. Just as it is important to correct deficiencies in followers immediately, it is equally important to constantly evaluate and make
An effective leader focuses on people and therefore empathises with them. Empathy is the tool of emotional intelligence which successful leaders apply. When individuals realise that their feelings and concerns are being acknowledged they develop a sense of trust which fosters a strong relationship based on loyalty to the leader - that way people’s hearts are worn to the cause of the leader. Thus, shared values are identified that sustain the quest of vision and purpose as Gill (2006:82) alludes to. He further mentions that all visioning, strategic thinking and goal setting without effective emotional intelligence are impotent.
Independent of the Army and country you serve, leadership is always an important subject. There are many civilian books and military manuals talking about leadership. The United States Army divides the subject leadership in three levels. These levels are Direct Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In this paper, the focus will be only about the first two levels. According with you rank, you will work more in one of these levels. Because of that, most part of time there is not much interaction between higher-level leaders and lower level leaders. Despite the limited interaction between higher level leaders like Brigade commanders with the lower level leader like company commander it’s not affect a satisfactory mission accomplishment.
Personal courage expects a leader to be accountable for the health, education, well-being and development of his subordinates. Loyalty is a critical characteristic possessed by a leader. Being loyal to the people and looking out for their best interests; helps to seek training, education and opportunities for them (Wynn, 2008). Loyalty to the organization sometimes interferes with loyalty to the people. However, it is the responsibility of a leader to maintain a balance between the two. An effective leader must lead his people by example, which involves high level of professionalism. A leader must set a standard for his subordinates. Leaders must be passionate about their role of leadership as well as their profession (Wynn, 2008). Personal development plays an important role in crafting the leaders, which involves six skill
Leadership development in the military is critical to its mission and objectives. Understanding and embracing leadership will foster an agile culture and facilitate attainment of strategic goals. People desire quality leadership to assist with achieving their goals, albeit personal or professional development. Having a clear vision and the motivation to perform at high-levels influences others to work synergistically together to achieve organizational goals. Insomuch, employees value being treated respectfully, fairly, and ethically. Leaders serve people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors.
Leadership goals should always contain methods of a continuous process of learning through education, training, and individual experiences that help ensure that the message will be communicated in a confident and competent manner when leading troops. Soldiers tend to follow leaders that demonstrate and live the Army values, while displaying their confidence in every decision that affects change. Leaders are not born as organizational or tactical leaders; but grown by their genetic determinism, which is inside and the characteristics they work toward; that mold is which type leader they will become. Not just anyone can lead; you must have the desire to lead, be willing to make the commitment to being a leader, and prepare yourself properly, then you have the desire to become a leader. (Fulton, 1995).
Leadership can be viewed in many different ways and possess many different qualities. There are courageous leaders, respectful leaders, terrible leaders, and seemingly insignificant leaders but leaders nonetheless. But what is it that differentiates between a strong leader and a weak leader, or a powerful leader and an insignificant one? Is it the qualities in the leader or the decisions they make in key situations that define good leadership qualities? Some would define a good leader by their ability to do the right thing even if it is not the easiest choice. Others might define a good leader as one that possesses great integrity and leads by example. The military possesses many great leaders through a process of development and molding individuals to meet expected leadership qualities like honor, courage, commitment and integrity to accomplish any mission or goal. However, this process doesn’t always create the desired effect. So, let’s examine some good and bad examples of leadership qualities and break down what and how we can emulate them.
As an officer in the United States Army, it has been imperative for me to understand every facet of leadership and why it remains important to be an effective leader. During this course, I have learned some valuable lessons about myself as a leader and how I can improve on my leadership ability in the future. The journal entries along with the understanding of available leadership theories have been an integral part of my learning during this course. For all of the journals and assessments that I completed, I feel it has given me a good understanding of my current leadership status and my future potential as a leader. All of the specific assessments looked at several areas in regards to leadership; these assessments covered several
meet the mission is only the beginning. Compassion and dedication is a part of the
This following will outline my personal leadership practices and potential future leadership. To analyze my leadership qualities I will use the Seven Habits Profile and a leadership theory to determine my strengths, weaknesses, and areas of opportunity for improvement. In conclusion, I will determine the best recommendations for long-term improvement as well as SMART goals, or short-term courses of action, for leadership improvement.
The impact from learning about interpersonal skills and leadership has engaged my citizenship at work and in my personal life as well. Leaders must have a solid understanding of how their emotions and actions affect the people around them, especially with the many challenges and opportunities that arise when working with others (Philips, 2012). The better a person relates and works with people the more successful he or she will be. The characteristics
Leadership, according to the Army doctrine, represents individuals’ ability to influence people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization (“Leadership” FM 6-22). However, the varying characteristics of individuals that the Army attracts may instill this doctrine in many different ways, leading to different representations of leadership. Some individuals choose to lead their subordinate in a stern matter, only displaying matured emotions and a “tough-loving” attitude to guide them in the right direction. Others
This paper will incorporate four of the self-assessment I completed (Leadership, 2004). They are as follows; social motives in the work setting, my leadership styles, emotional intelligence, and team excellence. I will also identify and discuss my leadership characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses. We must first understand what leadership means. To lead, nonetheless, is to excite, to impact, and to inspire. Successful leaders move others to draw in incredibleness, to stretch out themselves and to go past their perform work necessities by producing innovative thoughts. It has been said that directors are individuals who do things right and leaders are individuals who make the best choice." This refinement is to some degree exaggerated since successful leaders do a considerable measure of overseeing and compelling chiefs need to lead.
Using the Strength Finders 2.0 Assessment, I was able to identify my personal strengths, which would identify my personal leadership skills. My strength assessment results where Harmony, Consistency, Empathy, Achiever, and Belief. This paper will identify each strength, how they relate to my leadership style and approach to leadership.
* Through the self-assessment on Leadership style and Emotional intelligence, I drew the inference that while I am good at gauging the emotions of my direct reports and peers, I often don’t intervene to better cement my professional relationship. It shall be my earnest endeavor to be more emotionally aware and apathetic.
The sum of education, experiences, and observations lays a foundation upon which I will grow to become a good leader. In this plan, I will focused on those aspects of leadership that I believe are most required for personal development as well as those which will be so significant for my future leadership career. I have identified three goals which will guide me in the development process. My goals are to develop my integrity, listening skills and communications skills. I assume that this plan will change and be altered as required by life circumstances.