Summary Of Chapter 1 : Stop Creating Handbooks

Hunter defines leadership as “The skill of influencing people to work enthusiastically toward goals identified as being for the common good” (pg. 28). Authority is “The skill of getting people to willingly do your will because of your personal influence” (pg. 30). While power is “The ability to force or coerce someone to do your will, even if they would choose not to, because of your position or your might” (pg. 30). I learned that it is important to have authority not power. This is important to remember in the classroom because if I have authority with my students instead of power over my students there will be a better sense of community in the classroom and it will help lead to a democratic classroom. But, to obtain authority or the sense of community and a democratic classroom, I must work on/ practice at the skill

Leadership can be taught to the individuals that are willing to learn. They practice by learning from mistakes and gaining experience along the way. Most leaders learn from examples of other leaders. Additionally, Leaders never stop learning enabling a person to become the kind of leader they want to be.

Leadership skills are vital for success and what better way to acquire them than through

In class we defined leadership as using relationships to influence others. Before I came to the Academy I believed that a person could only lead their peers or subordinates. I did not believe that a subordinate could lead their superior. In high school I had many opportunities to develop my leadership with peers and subordinates. I was an officer of National Honor Society, and using that influence and my prior knowledge of NHS activities from the year before I was able to practice my leadership with my peers. I learned how to communicate in a manner to convince them to take action quickly, but not in a way that would seem overbearing or condescending. Furthermore, I was able to be a small group leader for a number of middle school retreats at my parish. In working with sixth grade boys I learned how to deal with insubordination and chaos, and with both of these groups of people I began to understand what was needed in a relationship between a leader and a follower. Our relationship had to be characterized by sincerity and respect. In both of these activities, those that I was leading could have easily stepped back and not paid attention to anything I was asking them to do. I had to convince them that I was absolutely dedicated to what I was trying to do, and that I had their best interest in mind. When leading middle school retreats I had to be a role model and show I valued my relationship with

Reenlistment Prerequisites is taken from chapter 4, MCO P1040.31H Enlisted Career Planning and Retention Manual.

With any course, especially one with a focus as broad as leadership, the material covered may include a range from useful to impractical. It is impossible to learn the skills necessary of an effective leader completely out of a book, it takes the application of them to understand. The development of leadership is vital to successfully moving forward in any career, so it would be beneficial to cultivate these skills academically.

There are several leadership skills that are needed to run an effective and therapeutic group. The primary skills are cutting off; drawing out; and holding, shifting, and deepening the focus (Jacobs, 2016). As the group moves into the middles stage sessions other skills can be beneficial for the leader (Jacobs, 2016). These skills include use of progress reports, introducing topics, inspiring thoughts, changing the format, varying the style of leadership, restructuring the group, varying the tone of voice, utilization of resources and projects, meeting one on one with the members, and communicating with the group prior to the groups ending (Jacobs, 2016). This skill can aid in creating an environment that is both valuable and meaningful

Leaders tend to think about” Why.” and not “How.” this is an important lesson I learned from reading the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. Good leaders are focused, they care for the total well-being of their group, and make decisions based on the group. As well as, taking charge when no one else wants too or can. The novel shows these qualities throughout its chapters with one of its main characters, Ralph.

The essay classifies leadership into four key approaches: (1) trait approach, (2) behaviour approach, (3) the

A way that you can become a great leader is to have a good sense of empowerment so you can experience the positive outcomes out of the things you’ve accomplished. Good leaders have the confidence to put others behind them so that the ones behind can follow and change into a strong and confidential type of person who is willing to take the opportunities that is awaiting for them. They are also willing to empower those who act freely. According to Neil Kokemuller, he said, “employees typically feel a stronger sense of ownership and worth when entrusted to make important decisions.” Meaning it makes them more productive in their roles. Many leaders have a lot of confidence in the things they do to help others become powerful so that they can

Becoming an effective leader is a lot like being in the stock market. You don’t make your fortune in a day; you make it daily, a little bit at a time. What matters most is what you do day after day, over the long haul. The secret to leadership success is investing in your leadership development, much like letting your assets compound. The final result is “Leadership Growth” over time. Leaders aren’t born; their made. The process of leadership is long, complicated and has made elements. Respect, dignity, discipline, people skills, vision, emotional strength, opportunity, preparedness and experience are just some of

In Module 6, Leadership and Followership, I found developing leadership power to be the most important concept. According to the Noncommissioned Officer Academy Distance Learning Course (NCOA DLC), Set B, Volume 1, “Your primary responsibility is influencing people under your care to accomplish the mission and leadership power is one of the most powerful tools you have for influencing others.” There are two types of leadership power, position power and personal power, understanding what they are and how to manage them will result in a more effective leader. NCOA DLC, Set B, Volume 1 states, “Position Power provides you with the authority to make decisions and requests based on your position within the organization” and “Personal Power is the extent to which followers’ respect, feel good about, are committed to their leader; and see their own goals being satisfied by the goals of their leader.” Knowing how to balance the two and find a common ground will help me develop into a well-rounded leader.

First recommendation for personal leadership is to improve the creative and innovative skills that can be learned. It is a skillset and there are ways to improve. Second, leaders absolutely need to follow through with punishments and consequences. Rather than letting natural consequences teach for me, as a leader I need to see those teaching opportunities and follow through. Third, purposefully seek out the insights of others. I am not used to hearing insight that is opposite of my own, but I do need to be willing to listen and consider thoughts of those who are completely opposite of

Right out of college I had aspirations to lead others and understood I had to develop the necessary skills and start somewhere. I was a go-getter and wanted to use my unique strengths I was born with, while acknowledging and learning from my shortcomings. I focused on applying at companies that would require leading others. My leadership journey began when I accepted a role at Target to lead a team of leaders in a retail store. I trained for three months and successfully managed to make all my three interim direct reports cry. One was a guy, the other two were girls, and one of the girls I had a class with in college. My expectations were too high and I wasn’t engaging and inspiring the team. I was driven to deliver results at whatever cost, and wasn’t able to plan how long it would take to complete tasks. I learned the process steps from my direct reports, everything they were willing to teach me. The leadership methods I learned from experiencing and thinking on my feet, or winging it. They didn’t have every scenario in the training book. Take for example a wife, at Guest Services, threatening another customer that her husband is going to kick the other husband’s ass for cutting in front of her in the line. Or when a guest walked in and stopped breathing at Guest Services, or when a pregnant mother fainted in the shoes department. Every day brought new obstacles to overcome while bringing us back to the reason why we were there. No one felt they were destined to work in a

Becoming an effective leader is a lot like being in the stock market. You don 't make your fortune in a day; you make it daily, a little bit at a time. What matters most is what you do day after day, over the long haul. The secret to leadership success is investing in your leadership development, much like letting your assets compound. The final result is "Leadership Growth" over time.