Self Reflection on Leadership Development

Leadership

The leadership unit proved worthwhile in enabling me to organize myself as well as my studies more appropriately. Apart from being attentive in class, I became an active listener thus grasping the intricate details of the unit in all perspectives. In addition, I managed to be a proper time and resource manager. The ability to keep time enabled me to be punctual both in class and during discussions. It is through this time management trait that I was able to commence my studies more optimistically consequently I avoided lagging behind my colleagues in syllabus coverage.

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I strategically positioned myself for the course by seeking all the materials that would assist me in covering the unit more adequately. My strategic position immensely benefited me during classwork and in discussions by averting me from running up and down to look for missing content. Additionally, I got the opportunity to conduct private studies extensively before attending classes and holding group discussions. Therefore, leadership always made me be a step ahead of my classmates since I could comprehend what the professor taught hence I assisted my colleagues that did not grasp some concepts.

In the initial stages of leadership study, I was very worried due to health issues that I encountered. I did not believe I could go through the whole study session as a result of chronic pains that engulfed my body in response to medical surgeries that had been administered on my spinal cord. Despite the multiple pains that got in the way of my daily life, I was optimistic about the ultimate goal of my study. The optimism I had was driven by focusing on the final results through self-motivation and personal initiative. Therefore, I decided to tackle the challenge head-on so as to achieve my goal. I knew resting in bed could not be the best solution as it would entail deferring my studies due to inaction and absence from school. Finally, I resolved that the status quo must be changed then and not later. The health challenge made me consult my mental faculties for the best solution. I was compelled to look into the matter; peruse through the challenges and options available without making irrational decisions. Hence, I decisively sought the intervention of the doctors who assisted me by conveniently scheduling my medical appointments to avoid coinciding with the studies.  Consequently, the big problem got solved and inspired me to work hard in my studies.

Apart from conducting private studies, I noted the importance of teamwork participation. I had to move past my comfort zone. The significance of team spirit inclusive of sharing information, broadening the knowledge base, and moving forward triggered my resolve to join class discussions. Teamwork was indispensable as far as inspiration, motivation, and strengthening one another was concerned. I became an active member of the team since I was always at the forefront in developing the group’s programs such as scheduling the time for the meeting, notifying the speakers, and defining the topic under discussion. The teamwork initiative bore fruit because of the overwhelming support that was accorded by the class.

As a result, we managed to conduct regular meetings and discussions to cover the unit. This enabled us to cover the topics that had not been covered in class due to time constraints. In addition, the issues that proved challenging to the classmates, as well as myself, were further addressed in details. The group went further and enlisted individual questions regarding the topic from the students. These initiatives allowed us to intensively and extensively cover the syllabus beyond what individuals could do on their own. Apart from that, deeper insight and knowledge on the topic became evident through the application of the concepts to other studies. The experience from the group enabled us to be one another’s ambassadors, create a positive and transformative change, collaborate, solve challenging aspects of the unit, and be good planners. The class interactions became a tool to develop my emotional intelligence, an awareness that I considered an asset in my future.

Moreover, my communication skills sharpened due to the acquisition of powerful written, and verbal skills. I could articulate issues in a broader sense, be accountable, and champion the plight of my counterparts selflessly. My concern for others was manifested in the group by waiting for one another, responding to individual’s questions, and respecting one another`s decisions .Consequently, my desire to be the best drove me to advance my skills as well as complement the ones that I possessed. Through this realization, I resolved that strengths, and motivation that came from within would propel me to success. Hence, I had to be flexible in interacting with my colleagues, managing time, and being open to possibilities. This strategy was essential in creating lasting cordial relations with my class members for posterity.

How I would use my knowledge in leadership skills to handle any leadership activity

How to handle a Tsunami scenario

In times of crisis such as a tsunami, a good leader needs to guide his people as opposed to managing in crisis (McGinn 164). As a knowledgeable and skilled leader, I would curb a tsunami crisis since I am a trusted leader that can handle the situation as opposed to a Chief Executive Officer.  Crises are best handled when a team is involved to participate. Therefore, to handle the tsunami situation, I would designate a rapid response team to assist me in curbing the crisis. Additionally, the response team should equally be knowledgeable and trained in handling the tsunami phenomenon. As an organization leader, I will not be swift in publishing the crisis in the media so as not to make wrong statements that may worsen the situation. In addition, as the people’s leader, I would be proactive in the event of the tsunami crisis as opposed to being reactive (McGinn, 165). In developing my leadership skills while finding a solution to the imminent tsunami, I would be composed so that I would avoid being driven by pressure while addressing the tsunami disaster. However, my best tactic as a leader is to work with a designated team to get vital details of the impending danger, probe the group for answers, listen to them, and consequently develop a plan of action. Leaders should be courageous hence I would not run away from the crisis or avoid taking action because such an act of cowardice would completely jeopardize the operation. My non-reaction as the people’s leader to the tsunami disaster would give us an opportunity to assess the situation and come up with the best solution to the crisis.

How I would use my knowledge in leadership to attain leadership goals

A leader should strive to be ethically responsible

All leaders should be ethically responsible by maintaining faithfulness, honoring promises, being impartial, and respecting the people they are leading under any circumstance. As the people’s leader, I would conduct my affairs in this manner so as to be consistent in decision making and respecting others. Lack of consistency would be detrimental to me because it would mean changing my mind so as to suit the prevailing circumstances. On the other hand, if I would lack ethical responsibility, then I would be at crossroads whether to please individuals or stick to what the duty demands of me. Therefore, if I would be a leader that lacks principles would translate into unfairness, unfaithfulness, biases, and disrespectfulness to the people I am leading. Hence, if I would lack principles would result in no set down policies and strategies of conducting operations instead I would be swayed by my personal and external influences. My possession of the above qualities as the people’s leader would enable me to stick to the organization`s mission, and vision consequently staying focused and forthright in reshaping an organization to its desired state (Watkins, 64).

In addition, I would not subject myself to multiple truths. I would embrace dynamic equilibrium that would offer me an opportunity to keep up with change as opposed to fighting it. I would effectively realize this by designing organization structures that could address the issues that recur. Moreover, the management can handle this by separating and connecting the two counteracting views. Their separation would entail the appreciation of the differences that groups and individuals have hence respected them. Consequently, the organization would place goals that are congruent in the same category. On the other hand, the management’s connection would entail the establishment of commonalities and creating unity among the people am leading to achieve the organization`s goals (Smith, Marianne, & Michael, 67).

According to what I had learnt in leadership, integrity would lead to the promotion of individuals due to the dependable nature that it displays. Apart from that, leadership is manifested through combination skills and personal attributes such as clarity in vision, concrete goals, and role model (Zenger, Joseph, & Scott, 89).

A leader should strive to be persuasive and naturally argumentative

Leaders should be persuasive and argumentative in nature as a means of attaining goals. Through it, as a leader, I would select my words carefully to enhance clarity and truth so as to trigger action from my subjects. Hence, through this drive, the application of logic, factual data, and sensitivity of the information for correct messaging is upheld.

I learnt that as a good leader I should not be afraid to address my opinion no matter the outcome. Contrastingly, I should endeavor to communicate powerfully and extensively on issues. As a result, my dissenting opinions would give me an opportunity to discover what sets me apart and accept to endorse my points of argument. I would gear my communication at developing everyone in the organization through solving issues, communicating clearly, being driven by initiative, strategies, and considerate of the external stakeholders. In addition, as a leader, I should endeavor to stick to the right decisions that inspire others and make me a role model. The choices and actions I would take must embrace togetherness so that no resentment would arise from the employees towards me (Zenger, Joseph, & Scott, 89).

A leader should strive to create confidence and be self-motivating

Leaders should learn that self-motivation and creation of confidence so as to achieve new actions is the first level of leadership. Although an employee might be willing to act on my behalf or on behalf of another employee, the individual that proposes to act might not be in a position to do it satisfactorily. This will compel me to perform the act or give it to someone else who can execute it better. I would rather be feared for doing the right act as opposed to being loved for making bad decisions.

Therefore, I would need to develop skills and competencies that would enable me to gain recognition in the organization. Training would enable me to strengthen my weaknesses, learn diverse job aspects and effectively communicate with the employees, subjects, or customers. Eventually, this would culminate to a balanced decision on who I would assign certain duties (Zenger, Joseph, & Scott, 89).

A leader should strive to have a vision, listen actively and interact with employees

Thirdly, I equally learnt that I should possess a vision, care, active listening, and interaction with people. Hence, as a leader, I would be called upon to bring together different persons despite their differences in values, and experiences. Individuals in the organization could overwork themselves to exhaustion in the name of achieving the organization`s vision. In such instances, the individuals would forego their basic needs for a proper life. With time, the person gets addicted to work and loses touch with the reality by failing to balance their life appropriately. Eventually, they may get sick and their lives. However, the business operations would continue by replacing the former employee.

As a good leader, I must be very articulate regarding individuals’ purposes in their lives. Hence, through their identification, their goal would enable them to engage in meaningful activities in their lives. Therefore, the benefits of performing their purpose will let them accomplish their missions in many aspects of their lives. As a leader, I would need to identify the employee’s purpose and visualize its impact on a personal and societal level. The recognition of the purpose would enable the owner to set goals and how they would be actualized (Craig, &Scott, 108).

A leader should strive to lead change

In the organization, I would include the employees in the process of leading change. The three main strategies I would use comprise of coming up with strategic objectives, advocating the move, and linking the organization to the external environment. The strategic goals would entail innovating the company`s products and services, motivating the employees, communicating the process clearly, and offering solutions to problems that may arise in the process. Secondly, connection to the external environment would entail communicating the change to external stakeholders, using one`s interpersonal skills to relate to the outside world, being initiative driven, and inspiring. As an advocate for reform, I must devise training avenues from the new processes, base the change on results, network and create lasting relations with other people. Consequently, I should be ready to take risks and problems that emanate from that transition (Zenger, Joseph, & Scott, 89).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the unit in leadership was very significant in assisting me to be a good listener, time manager as well as a good leader. The good time-management skills I acquired enabled me to have enough time to myself for conducting private studies intensively and extensively. Despite facing chronic health problems, the medical surgeries I had did not stop me from being optimistic in achieving my goal. After the intervention of doctors, I was well enough to participate teamwork. Therefore, through teamwork I was inspired, motivated and strengthened consequently, I became an active member at the forefront of the team in conducting meetings and discussions over leadership. The knowledge and insight I gained assisted me to advance my skills as a leader hence I could handle our organization in leadership activities as well as setting goals myself and the organization such as instilling confidence, leading change, coming up with a vision as well as being ethically responsible. Consequently, the unit in leadership became very significant in creating long-lasting relations with my members in the organization.

Works Cited

Craig, Nick, and Scott Snook. “From purpose to impact.” Harvard business review 92.5 (2014): 104-111.

McGinn, D. Managing Organizations: Leading, Not Managing, in Crisis. Harvard Business Review. (2017). 164-165.

Smith, Wendy K., Marianne W. Lewis, and Michael L. Tushman. “Both/and” leadership.” Harvard Business Review94.5 (2016): 62-70.

Watkins, Michael D. “Leading the team you inherit.” Harvard business review 94.6 (2016): 60-67.

Zenger, John H., Joseph R. Folkman, and Scott K. Edinger. “Making yourself indispensable.” Harvard Business Review89.10 (2011): 84-92.