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.

I naturally adapt to the role of being a leader and desire to provide additional assistance to others. I demonstrate outstanding

I believe that one should constantly learn and seek new skills and information since it enhances one’s understanding of the world, provide opportunities, and develop skills. Committed to learning, I am willing to spend the necessary time to cultivate my mind in the quest for knowledge and I achieved this through diligence, perseverance, discipline, and by providing the best work possible in the workplace around me. This ambition to push for excellence would be a beneficial trait to have in the future, for I still strive to put quality into everything I do, even when I do not receive any recognition or praise, and this attitude would help me make rapid strides not only in my academic career but my life overall.

How I will continue to develop and cultivate these skills moving forward is continue with my interests. I love the concept of how my interest and skills connect. Continuing sports will continue to help develop my skill of leadership. Adventuring will continue to assist in the development my skill of adaptability.

and goals. During my career I have completed monthly training sessions on various topics as it

However in order to become a greater leader I am willing to accept this learning challenge and list “the great ‘I am’” five times. I am a trustworthy person, I am an excellent listener, I am extremely respectful of other people, I am very encouraging of other people’s ideas and I am a strong believer of do what makes you happy. “From self-knowledge, Lombardi believed, we develop character and integrity” (Kerr, J. 2013), where from “character and integrity comes leadership” (Kerr, J. 2013). So if I continue to appreciate my own personal values then this should start to guide me in the right direction of being a great 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 undoubtedly appreciate your desire to work to incorporate your role in leadership towards the standard of professional performance. Having the ability to lead is an important factor in being successful. I have found that during my time in leadership, I have developed many different styles of leadership. The two I relate to the most are that of a transformational leader, and servant leadership. The transformational leader is one who has the ability to inspire and motivate their followers. Transformational leadership entails a leader to be adaptive and flexible with their leadership style (Gibson, Ivancevich, Donnelly, & Konopoaske, 2012). As for the servant leader, according to Tropello & DeFazio (2014), the servant leadership style is

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

According to the assessment I need improvements in Advocating as a spokesperson in a group. I have always been logical but could never get to be persuasive. I can argue with others about something and tend to win in that situation. I do want to be a great advocate so I can show my best in any situation and know the ability to argue and present a point so well. Secondly, I need improvement in being a people mover. I need to improve the ability to spot talent, be a motivator, have enhanced nurturing qualities and try to present myself as a mentor. Lastly, to be a truth seeker I will need to grasp more experience in having a good judgment and have to experience to help people understand new rules and policies and place integrity in my business or

For the past four summers I have worked as a camp counselor at Camp Longhorn in Burnet, Texas. Although this past summer was my last, I have grown both personally and professionally through my time there. Over the course of four summers I have seen boys turn into young men that come from all across the country. I was in charge of a cabin ranging in size from nine to fourteen young men. My job was to overlook and provide assistance and guidance when needed as well as being a mentor. Being in charge of a group of boys has challenges in and of itself, however I was able to find a balance between a parent figure and an older brother. With each situation arose I realized that the strive I have to be open minded and constructive when needed allowed me to balance my guidance with personal gains.

As a future leader, I strive to inspire those around me with. Not only will I constantly seek to challenge myself and develop as a leader, I will support and drive others to do the same. I aim to lead because achieving dreams with the help of other people requires leadership skills in order to get them behind you. I will build and define a mission for my team while clearly and concisely communicating objectives required to succeed. I strive to help my followers find the best in themselves because I believe all good leaders should always build up their team with strength and encouragement. There may be obstacles along the way, but as a leader I will find ways to move forward with our projects when these problems occur, while always taking responsibly for team downfalls. As a successful leader, my internal strength will shine through with the support of my followers. In order to maintain the trust of my followers, I will always be a model of the behaviors I wish to see in my followers. “Leaders do what they require of others.” (Johns & Moser, 1989, p. 120).

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.

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.