Philosophy Is What You Know

Margaret Wheatley in 2006 Leadership and the new science: Discovering order in a chaotic world discusses management development and education. This book attempts to educate people to be better leaders through a scientific mentality. In this paper I will discuss theories of her book and leadership, I will also discuss and relate these principles into real life experiences, and business realities in relation to her principle theories.

When examining various institutional examples of leadership, there are common threads imbedded in each of their definitions. To be a worldwide industry leader; to provide value to shareholders; and to create sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions are examples of business leaders’ statements. Although with the same overall intent, educational leadership statements tend to include best teaching practices, ambitious scholastic goals and inviting others to share in its vision development. Closely aligned with these ideals is the Army’s definition of leadership - “the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.” (AR 600-100 Army Leadership). Leadership can be conceptualized using a continuum ranging from strategic and organizational attributes through management and

Leadership is not a simple, static concept. It does not form overnight. Instead, it develops alongside experiences which form a person’s character. It is as dynamic as the events that shape our lives. My life experiences equip me with the knowledge to form my own leadership philosophy. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I ensure my subordinates understand my philosophy. I ensure they understand what I expect of them. The basis of my leadership philosophy is promoting self-development, serving others, being proactive, and being an example of effective leadership.

Leadership is, and always has been, a vital aspect of social and economic constructs. It is essential to the survival of societies, industries, organizations, and virtually any group of individuals that come together for a common purpose. However, leadership is difficult to define in a single, definitive sense. As such, theories of leadership, what constitutes a great leader, and how leaders are made have evolved constantly throughout history, and still continue to change today in hopes of improving upon our understanding of leadership, its importance, and how it can be most effective in modern organizational cultures.

Participating in the course Foundations of Organizational Leadership presented many opportunities to enhance and enrich my perspective on leadership as well as develop my own unique leadership philosophy. By observing the theories, models and cases presented in Northouse, Kouzes and Posner textbooks, I was able to learn through the experience of others what a true leader should represent. While considering the strengths and weaknesses of each theory, I am able to implement a leadership style with an effective approach tailored to many different types of learners. In addition, witnessing both the triumphs and failures of various businesses and leadership styles, helped me confirm my personal stance and aspirations towards becoming a leader. By implementing what I have learned from the course and textbooks, I will address in this paper what specific leadership theories, styles and models have contributed to forming my own leadership philosophy. In addition, I will also define the values, qualities, strengths and weaknesses and ethical considerations that pertain to my stance on leadership. By integrating a faith based approach as the foundation of my leadership style, I hope to implement my new philosophy into my current and future career path.

Joseph Raelin (2016), a Northeastern University professor of management and organization development, recently published the article “Rethinking Leadership.” He said, “Leadership is really not about the leaders themselves. It’s about the collective practice among people who work together— accomplishing the choices we make together in our mutual work” (Raelin,

(2016). p.33). There are many traits that a leader must have to be able to be successful. Three that come to mind are trustworthy or honest, motivated, and knowledgeable. Ever leader needs to be honest and have the trust of those who are following them. This is essential for any plan or idea to be carried out steadily. Also, open communication cannot happen if one does not trust their leader. Next, a leader must be motivated and have energy. If a leader is not motivated, those who are following them are also not going to be motivated either. Someone has to be able to push others to keep up the hard work to get to where they need to be. Lastly, a leader needs to be knowledgeable. At work, often when faced with something that I do not know the answer to, I go to my charge nurse who is very knowledgeable on almost all situations that may arise. If lacking any vital knowledge, staff under that leader will not have anyone to go to in times of need. This leads to the follower being lost and not knowing what the next step is in their situation. All of these traits are what I like to see in a leader in my work

The theme of leadership is relevant today for many areas of life. After consulting the dictionary, one can construe the leadership as an inner force that manifests in the ability to influence and to control others. A person possesses this quality when he/she can guide masses and move them to the goal, take the consequences and realize the responsibility for himself/herself and others. Shakespeare once remarked that to be a good leader, first of all, one should serve faithfully and loyally. Otherwise, leadership is a destructive force: either you succeed, or it destroys you. “Macbeth” and “Lord of The Flies’ are epitomes of both leadership patterns and worth.

Leadership philosophy is who we are as a human being and what we believe. Everyone is a leader but do you believe it? That’s the question. To be a leader you have to possess certain traits according to writers and philosophers. I believe that leadership comes over time; you have to make mistakes to make things better. You need to realize what kind of leader you want to be. I Also, believe that to be a good leader I need to possess my own personal beliefs and values, Family, Humility, Responsibility. As I think about all the leadership in my military career and the ones I read about such as Colin Powell; I noticed that all of them have their own value to accomplish greatness in their life. Each Leader is distinctly unique individual. Leaders always take a bath for a change everyday. In this paper I will explain my values in detail. (Dr. Denis Waithley).

Richard J. Shavelson and Lisa Towne provided a framework to address any question that poses research. For a DEL student, I found these principles as a solid guideline or in the military, standing operating procedure to follow. As I embarked on a journey of research in leadership theory, these principles are a standard in which I will start (Shavelson and Towne, 2002, p. 52).

This paper illustrates reflections on the first four chapters of Leadership and the New Science written by Margaret J. Wheatley. I picked up some key points and personal learning ideas that I found interesting to share in this paper. Organization rules, relationship, field theory, first impression, and truth versions are the themes that will be highlighted in next paragraphs. I added some examples related to my personal experiences as long as they are connected to the points.

The principal aspects of leadership are oft debated; to attempt to define what leadership is would most certainly result in broad and varied definitions dependent on who is queried. Nonetheless, in the preeminent

The intrikite relationship of a leader and followers has been study that remains a mystery to scholarly writers in public administration today. The question of what makes a great leader? is one that is asked every couple of years. But instread of asking what makes a great leader maybe we need to seek out the desire to be led. The strong influence over the future determination of an individual(s) is a characteristic that only a leader can posses (Martinez, Kane, Ferris, & Brooks, 2012).

My theory of an effective leader is having the ability to influence others to do something by obtaining results. After 10 years of being a Soldier without a mentor or a reason to excel in the military, I wanted responsibilities. During the beginning of my eleventh year, I took control of my destiny as a Soldier and started seeking ways to become a leader. My service has always been selfless; for that reason, I wanted every junior Soldier whom I encountered to have an idea of what his or her purpose is in this organization.

There has been vast amounts of research done on the topic of leadership, and yet despite this it continues to be ‘‘riddled with paradoxes, inconsistencies, and contradictions’’