Reflection On Leadership

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.

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.

“At times of change or dealing with uncertainty or in a crisis-- that is when the best leader will shine” (Ellis, 2016). A leader who can work effectively in a complicated, unpredictable situation is a competent leader and he tirelessly works to improve his capabilities (Ledlow & Coppola, 2010). All great leaders are known for communicating effectively what they want to achieve. They are visionaries who have the ability to lead others toward a shared goal (Gibson & Weber, 2015).

In today’s society, there are some people who possesses the qualities of outstanding leadership. Also, in today’s society, there are some people who keep qualities of a poor leader. A good leader is someone who reads and understands their own emotions and recognize the impact on themselves and others. Another thing great leaders do is think and act with optimism, by looking at the positives and not so much on the negatives. Another great strength a good leader has is that he or she knows the strengths and limits of the certain people on their team (Hewertson). Furthermore, a great leader leads by example, set achievable goals, assigns tasks within someone’s strengths, gets the right people on board,

“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

Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to higher sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitation.” Every leader has their own techniques to be successful. With characteristics such as trustworthy, ethical, and honest have high personal standards. Having

What defines a leader? Are there inherent differences between leaders and followers, e.g., genetic makeup, behavior, characteristics, intelligence, or another physiological, social, emotional, or cognitive capacity? Are leaders the product of nature or nurture, more specifically can leadership be taught? These fundamental questions about leadership form the basis of research on the traits, behaviors, relationship dynamics, and communication competency that encompass different leadership roles and styles. My paper will provide a synthesis of the reading from chapters 1, 2, and 9 of the textbook, “The Leadership Experience,” highlight novel leadership concepts, notions, and theories for me, as well as, any clarification or reinforcement of

I view a leader as a dependable person that motivates and encourages others to perform to the best of their ability. Being a leader means you lead by example so that others are inspired to follow (Stojkovic, Kalinich & Klofas, 2015). Leaders exist in our everyday lives, regardless if they assume the title or not Stojkovic, et al, 2015. Some of these leaders are family, peers, friends, co-workers and professors Stojkovic, et al, 2015. Modeling leaders and training in different areas at my past jobs have allowed me to excel in areas of communication, customer service and time management. These individuals gave me the drive to be a better person and achieve excellent results doing everyday tasks. As a result, I could count on these people for help if I am unsure of my job responsibilities and they would be more than happy to assist me. Confidence, passion, patience, integrity and transparency are some of the fine qualities of a leader (Stojkovic, et al, 2015). Therefore, strong trustworthy leaders treat others the way they would like to be treated (Stojkovic, et al, 2015). Furthermore, leaders clearly communicate their expectations in a clear and understandable manner to other people. Leaders try to create a safe environment that fosters creativity, ambition, social engagement and innovation among the employees (Stojkovic, et al, 2015). Therefore, frontline workers are allowed the discretion to make decisions regarding the job (Stojkovic, et al, 2015). I will

When searching the word leadership one of the immediate synonyms to appear is control. To me, leadership is nothing about control. Leadership is accepting your role in any situation and still going above and beyond. Being someone who orders others around is not leading, it is dictating. Those getting out in front of others and working just as hard--if not harder--to set an example are true leaders. Leadership plays your strengths while still addressing your weaknesses. Acknowledging both sets up for success. In my life, I definitely have roles with set leadership titles. Although I have these titles, I try to act in ways that do not place me on a higher pedestal than the people I am surrounded by. I act as a humble leader because I know that I have not always been at the leadership level that I currently am. From dance, to student council, to link crew, my age does not give me automatic power. I am looked up to for my experience, but I am a leader for my ability to make connections with those around me. If I lead in ways that just push people around, it won’t be very effective; at a certain point people get fed up with a condescending boss and orders are no longer effective. I do not set out to be a leader only to receive credit, I am a leader to create a lasting impact.

During the past ten weeks, I have strengthened my concept of what constitutes effective leadership. Importantly, it is a leadership style that maximises the contributions of followers to achieve the desired outcomes for the organisation they represent. As Nanjundeswaraswamy & Swamy (2014, p.57) explains, effective leaders need to balance the drive to achieve a task with managing relationships. Therefore, it is essential for good leadership to not only focus on the task but develop, motivate and empower team members to strive for the achievement of task goals.

Throughout these first few weeks of the semester, I have enjoyed learning about leadership through this course and the reflection I have done. Currently, I do not hold any formal leadership roles, apart from Biochemistry club at my university. In that club, I hold a board position, and, at most, I help direct and run biweekly group meetings. Through that, I aim to be presentable, approachable, and kind during my time with the rest of the group members. I know that I would not want to show up to a meeting, only to have the meeting director appear as though they did not want to be there. That would discourage me from ever approaching them with any questions or comments, and it would definitely prevent me from becoming further involved with the club. Our club is not actually related directly to Biochemistry, (it should be renamed) so I try to show the new and young students how to maintain their club presence without their further science background. To do this, I try to appear as kind and presentable at the meetings, and this, hopefully, encourages some of them to come up to me afterwards and further question me about the club and further events. Aside from this, I do not hold a formal leadership role, but I still attempt to practice and exhibit leadership qualities that I would find valuable.

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.