Essay Of Leadership

LeadershipisadifficultwordtodefineandaccordingtotheMiriam–WebsterDictionaryleadership isthe"officeorpositionofaleader"(Miriam–Webster,2010).Thisdefinitionisdefinitelynotone thatIwouldascribetowhendiscussingleadershipMydefinitionofleadershipis"theability someonehastomotivateandempowerotherstoachieveagoal."Somemayaddtothisdefinition, othersmaydiscarditaltogetherandhaveacompletelydifferentdefinition.Intheend,leadership takesonmanydifferentformsdependingonwhoisdoingthedefiningandweendupasking ourselves,whatisleadershipandwhydowecare?J.ThomasWren(1995)puttogetherabookto helpleadersdefineleadershipforthemselvesTheLeader'sshowmorecontent

AsGardner(1990)pointsout"Mostmenandwomengothroughtheirlivesusingnomorethana fraction–usuallyarathersmallfraction–ofthepotentialitieswithinthem"(p.7).Ihappentoagree withGardneronthispointAsateacheryouseenumerouschildrenwho,withthepropertraining, couldbeverygreat,positiveleaders;yetduetotheirhomesituationorlackofself–confidencethese childrengrowupneverknowingtheyhavethatpossibilityinsidethem."Wecandobetter.Much, muchbetter"(Gardner,1990p.7).AlongwithGardner(1990)WrenintroducesBurns(1978)who wroteTheCrisisofLeadership.Initially,Ithoughtacrisisinleadershipwashappeningtoday becauseaccordingtoBurns(1978)"Oneofthemostuniversalcravingsofourtimeisahungerfor compellingandcreativeleadership"(p.8).However,weneedtokeepinmindthatBurnswrote aboutthisin1978.Soleadershipandthosewholeadhavebeenhavingproblemsforanumberof decades."Ifweknowalltoomuchaboutourleader,weknowfartoolittleaboutleadership"(Burns, 1978p.9).WhatBurnswastryingtobringtotheforefrontwastheideathatwe,asapublic,know fartoomuchaboutthepersonallivesofourleadersThemediahasbeenabletobringpersonal situationsintoourhomesthatwewouldnototherwisebe

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Runninghead:LEADERSHIPDEVELOPMENTPLAN

LeadershipDevelopmentPlan

MarcusNTSmith

UniversityofPhoenix

LDR711–LeadershipTheoryandPractice

Dr.JaneArmstrong

Oneofthemostimportantaspectsofleadershipisself–knowledgeandparticularlyawarenessof yourprioritiesandvalues.Asaleaderitisimperativetoimproveyourleadershipabilityonan everydaybasis.Greatleadershavegreatstrategicdreams,visionsofwhatcouldbeandwhatthey thinkshouldbe.InthispaperIwillbediscussingmyplanandthetheoriesthatsupportmyplan.I willalsobediscussingmyleadershipstrengthsandweaknesses...showmorecontent...

AccordingtoYukl(2006),muchoftheskillessentialforeffectiveleadershipislearnedfrom experienceratherthanfromformaltrainingprograms.Alifetimelearnerisacceptingthatyouare neverfinishededucatingyourselfandbycontinuingtoeducateyourself,youbecomeself–aware thatlearningisanongoingprocessthatcannotbecompletedAccordingtoYukl(2006),leadership trainingcantakemanyforms,fromshortworkshopsthatlastonlyafewhoursandfocusona narrowsetofskills,toprogramsthatlastforayearormoreandcoverawiderangeofskills.

TheleaderthatIamtodayisconfidentbutstillinexperienced.Istillhaveplentytolearninorderto betheleaderIwanttobeinthefutureIwanttobealeaderwhoisalwaysstrivingforperfection andalwayskeepinganopenmindtothepossibilityofchangeandnewleadershiptechniques. Nahavandistates(2006),despiteourknowledge,thereisalsomuchwestilldonotknow.Leadership aswetraditionallyknowit–commandandcontrol–doesnotaddresstherapidsocial,cultural,and organizationalchangesthatareoccurringglobally(Nahavandi,2006).Thisiswhyweneedtobe alwaysvigilantandopenmindedtothenewtheoriesthatarealwaysbeingintroducedinthisglobal society.AccordingtoNahavandi(2006),futureleadersmust

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ServantLeadership

Whatisit?Thephrase"ServantLeadership"wascoinedbyRobertK.GreenleafinTheServantasa Leader,anessayhefirstpublishedin1970("Whatisservant,").Theservantleaderservesfirst, whileaspiringtoleadsecond.Theservantleaderservesthepeoplethatheorsheleads,implying employeesareanendinthemselvesratherthanameanstoorganizationalpurposeorbottom–line Servantleadershipismeanttoreplaceacommandandcontrol,top–down,modelofmanagement. Servantleadershipencouragescollaboration,trust,foresight,listening,andtheethicaluseofpower andempowermentAfewfamousexamplesofservantleadersareGeorgeWashington,Gandiand CaesarChavez.

KeyPrinciplesInashowmorecontent

8.Stewardship

Greenleaf'sviewofallinstitutionswasoneinwhichCEO's,staff,directorsandtrusteesallplay significantrolesinholdinginstitutionsintrustforthegreatergoodofsociety

9.CommitmenttotheGrowthofPeople

Leadersbelievepeoplehaveanintrinsicvaluebeyondtangiblecontributionsasworkers.Asaresult, genuineinterestinthespiritual,professionalandpersonalgrowthofallemployeesisdemonstrated.

10.BuildingCommunity

Leadersseektoidentifyameansforbuildingasenseofcommunityamongthosewhoworkina giveninstitution.

DifferencesfromOtherStylesIntheapproachongeneralleadershipcharacteristics,thefundamental differenceisauthenticleadershipsstrivetobe"real",whereasservantleadersstrivetobe"right." Servantleadershipisastylethatlaysdownasetofcharacteristicsthatallleadersaresupposedto emulatetoattainsuccess,andtriestoshapethecharacterandpersonalityoftheleader.Ontheother hand,authenticleaderstendtorelyontheirownuniquesetofexperiencesandstylethathasbeen learnedanddevelopedthroughouttheircareerThemaindifferencebetweenservantandauthentic styles,whenapplyingintopractice,istheservingofothers.Oneoftheprimaryapplicationsisto giveprioritytotheinterestofothers.Servantleadersexercisetheirduty

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Asweallknow,leadershipisubiquitousinourdailylife.Fromnationtobusiness,andevenin family,leadershipindisputablyplaysthemaingame.Inthebusinessworld,aslikelyornot, leadership,whichisthefieldofsubjectthatmostresearchersscrutinise,isdeemedastheprincipal vitaminforarobustorganisation.Literally,whatisthetruemeaningofleadership?Accordingtothe BlackwoodEncyclopaediaofSociology,leadershipisdepictedastheprocessofinspiring,directing, coordinating,motivating,andmentoringindividuals,and/ororganisations(Pitsis,2007).With respecttoleadership,leadersinanorganisationhavetoincreasetheworkproductivityofemployees soastobringaboutimprovedemployeeperformanceInshowmorecontent

Transactionalleadershipistheexchangebetweenthesuperiorandsubordinateinwhichbothsides canreceivedesirablevalues;transformationalleadership,however,istherepresentativeofthe personalvaluesystemsincludingendvalueslikejusticeandintegrity,whichcannotbeexchanged betweenindividuals,yetmoreimportantly,itchangesemployees'goalsandbeliefs(Humphreys& Einstein,2003)Atpresent,itisclaimedthatemotionalintelligencehasbecomeincreasingly popularasameasureforidentifyingpotentialleaders,anditisutilisedasatoolfordeveloping effectiveleadershipskillstobringaboutmaximumemployeeperformance.Additionally,itisstated aswellthateffectiveleadersarethosewhocandisplayatransformationalratherthantransactional leadershipstyle.Asamatteroffact,managerorleaderwhohastheabilitytomonitoremotionsboth withinoneandothersbelongstothekeymanifestationoftransformationalleadership,whichis vitallyimportanttostimulateemployeesintellectuallybypresentingthemwithchallengingnew ideasandvariousapproachestotackleproblems,therebyupliftingtheirperformancewithcreative thinkingandflexibleplanning(Palmer,Walls,Burgess,&Stough,2001)

Inamacroviewofexaltingworkperformance,Branson,WelchandBarnevikallinitiateasenseof creativereconstructionin

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Myideaofleadershipisbeingabletoinspireothers,motivate,setavision,communicate,respect others,andofcourse,leadbyexample.Aleadermusthaveanhonestunderstandingofwhotheyare, whattheyknow,andwhattheyarecapableof.Tobeasuccessfulleader,youhavetobeableto convinceyourfollowers,notjustyourselforyoursuperiors,thatyouareworthyofbeingfollowed. Inmyopinion,thiscanbuildconfidenceintheirfollowerstohavefaithinyou,inordertobeableto lead.Istronglybelievethatgoodleadersaremaderather,andnotborn.Ifyouhavethedesireand willpower,youcanbecomeaneffectiveleader.Goodleadersaredevelopedthroughaneverending processofself–study,education,training,andshowmorecontent

ThewayinwhichIcommunicateeitherbuildsorcanharmtherelationshipbetweenmysoldierand I.Whenanimportantmomentofdiscussionarises,Iamalwayspreparedtoappropriatelyhandlethe situationathand.Morethananythingelse,Ibelieveasaleaderitisalwaysimportanttohavegreat socialskillsinordertobecommunicativewithclarityandobjectiveness,andtohaveagood relationshipwiththeonesIleadAsaleader,Iunderstandthemeaningofrecognitionandpraise whenoneisdoingagoodjob,whichtooissignificantlyimportant.Aleaderisnotalwaysthefirstto haveanidea,butshouldbetheonewhoisalwaysseekingoutnewsolutions.Onewayofbeinga productiveleaderisdiscoveringnewwaystoaccomplishasetoftaskswhilemaintainingapositive attitude.Ifasoldierisdemonstratingabadattitudebecausehefeelsthathecannotaccomplisha taskthenmyjobasaleader,wouldbetosteadilyencouragethatsoldiertoworkatbeingallthathe canbe.Aleadertome,doesnotneedtoalwaysknowtheanswer,butbelievesittobeimportantto havetheinitiativetomakeananswerappear.OneformofbadleadershipwouldbeanNCO performingordemonstratingataskthatheknowsnothingaboutinfrontofhissoldiersIntheresult oftheNCOnotperformingordemonstratingthetaskathandcorrectly,thesoldiersthenbecome incapableofknowingtheproperwaysofthattask.However,ifthatNCOhad

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LEADERSHIP1

LEADERSHIP2 Abstract

Whatcomestomindwhenthewordsleaderorleadershipareheard?Usuallyapresident,ateacher, aC.E.O,aworksupervisororaprimeministercomestomind.Wellthesearepeoplewhoare consideredtobeleadersbecausetheyworktoachieveapositivechangeforaparticularorganization orcommunityLeadershipistheprocessinwhichaparticularindividualinfluencesothersto achieveanobjectiveoracommongoal.Thispaperwillexplainwhatthetermleadershipmeans,the keyfactorsthatmakeupatrueleaderandtheimpactaswellastheimportancethatleadershiphas inshowmorecontent

Aleaderisnotsomeonewhodictatesormakesuprules;atrueleaderissomeonethatisonanever endingprocessofselfstudy,education,andtrainingtobecomeabetterpersonandhelpothers achieveacommongoal.Developinggoodleadershipskillsdoestakepracticeandagreatdealof time,itdoesnotjusthappenfromonedaytoanother.Goodleadersarecontinuallyworkingand studyingtoimprovetheirleadershipskills.Itisgoodtobealeader,butit'sevenbettertobealeader everybodywantstofollowandadmire.

Aleaderusuallyhasinfluenceontheteammemberstoworkhard,butmostimportantlytobe committedtotheirgoals.Therearetwotypesofleaders:taskorientedandpersonoriented LEADERSHIP4leaders.Thetaskorientedleadersaremorefocusedintraining,andin performance,whilethepersonorientedleadersaremoreinterestedintheinterpersonalrelationships withtheteam.Anotherverycrucialcharacteristicaleadermustpossessistrust.Trustisthebasisfor alltherelationshipsinourlives.Withouttrustwehavenothing,andthatmakesitalmostimpossible tocreateahealthyrelationshipaswellasaniceworkenvironmentwithothersTheleadership processisnotaboutthingsisaboutpeople.Thecharacteristicsofaleadercometolightinourdayto dayinteractionswiththepeoplewhoarearoundusAtrueleaderistheonewhoreallyhasagreat relationshipwith

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Leadershipisasocioculturalconstructunderpinnedbythebeliefsandvaluesofasociety (Waniganayake,Cheeseman,Fenech,Hadley,&Shepherd,2012).Leadershipinearlychildhood haveshiftedthefocusfromonedesignatedleaderintoamorecollectiveapproach–distributed leadership,whichisnotaboutdelegating.AsCheeseman(2012)states,inearlychildhoodsettings, attentionisoftendirectedatadministrativeandmanagementleadership(Waniganayakeetal,2012); howeveritisimportanttohaveadesignatedleaderintheareasofdevelopmentandimplementation ofcurriculumandpedagogy–beingtheeducationalleaderasarequirementoftheNationalQuality Framework–whilstatthesametimeseeeducationalleadershipasashowmorecontent Onewillexaminetheunderlyingphilosophies,theoriesandprinciplesthatshapetheirprofessional beliefsaboutchildren'slearning(Brown,etal.,2012;Waniganayakeetal.,2012;Duignan,2006). Foranyobstaclestheymayencounter,throughthecontingencytheory,aneducationalleaderwill workwiththeappropriatestyleofleadershipmostsuitableinthatcircumstance(Rodd,2006),and respondtovarioussituationsintimesofchangebycriticallyreflectingonthepurposestheyseefor theirsettingandthegoalstheyareaimingtoachievewithchildrenandfamilies.Understandingfrom thetransformationaltheory,aneducationalleaderwillbeinspiringotherswithvisionsthatcan enabletheteamtobedirectedandmotivatedtowardcreating'acultureoflearningandprofessional growth'(Duignan,2006;Waniganayakeetal.,2012;Sinclair,2007;Rodd,2006;Siraj–Blatchford andManni,2006;ACECQA,2013)Moreover,distributedleadershipapproach,whichfallsunder thetransformationaltheory,isseenintheeducationalleaderastheyworkcollaborativelywith otherstowardsthesamevision(Rodd,2006).Forinstance,takenfromACEQA(2013),the educationalleaderwouldexamineroutineswitheachoftheroomleaders,andhowtomakethem moreeffectiveforchildren'slearningexperiences.Here,theeducationalleaderisnotonlyguiding staffalong,butalsoproblem–solving

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TheArtofLeadership

Whatisleadership?Leadershipishavingtheabilitytogiveguidancetothosethatwillfollow.Those thatfollowwillhelptocompletethemission.Leadershipisanimmaturescienceandthebodyof knowledgeinthefieldhasdevelopedthroughaseriesoffitsandstartsLeadershipisasoftscience, justasanthropology,sociologyandpsychology.Itcannotbeprovenexactlywhatitis.Leadershipis anart;theskillfulapplicationofleadershipbehaviorsbeyondtechniquesismuchthesameasthe skillfulapplicationofbrushstrokesbyamasterpainterLeadershipisbothrationalandemotional Somepeopletakeseveralyearsandevenseveralclassesandstillcan'tquitebeagoodleader.Ieven tookatest,

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Whatismanagement?Managementisapositionofauthority.Managementsayswhatneedstoget doneandsuppliesthematerialtogetitdone.Managementtendstobethemoreeducatedthanthe experiencedManagerscanbetrainedtoholdapositionManagementisapositionofleadership Canleadershipandmanagementbethesame?Leadershipandmanagementarenotthesame. Anyonecanbeamanagerandnothaveanyfollowers.Amanagershouldalwaysknowtheaspects ofanymission.Aleaderknowstheaspects,hastheknowledgeandtheskillstoaccomplishthe mission.Butleadershipandmanagementworkhandinhandwitheachother.Leadershipisahuman relationshipprocessNoscientificmethodcanbeusedfortestingleadershipManagersarenotonly interestedinstatusquo,butalsoproduction,expansionandgrowth.Managementwasasystemto controlmachines.Leadershipcanneverbecontrolled.Tobeagoodmanageronemustlookatviews fromdifferentperspectivesAssituationschange,leadershiprelationschangeLeadershipcannotbe transactional.Itcanonlyworkifbothpartieskeeptheiragreements.Asurveywasheldtocompare leaderstomanagers.Theoverallopinionwasthattheyaresimilarinmanyways.Aleaderanda managercanbeoneinthesame.Thedifferencebetweenaleaderandamanageristhatamanager directsandaleadermotivates.Whenbotharedoingtheirjobs,theyareperformingtheirleadership rolesIf

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DomenickCaruso

November14th2010

PersonalEssay

WhatisLeadership?

Leadershipisdefinedasthepositionofaleader,theabilitytolead.Iassureyouitismuchmore thenthatBeingaleaderisnoteasy,IhavelearnedfrompersonalexperienceBeingacaptainofa footballteamishardwork.Ittakesgutstostandupandbealeader.Leadershipisrespect.Respect byothers.Youcan'tforcepeopletorespectyou;you'vegottoearnit.Agoodleaderearnsrespect fromhis,orher,peers.Theyknowheistheirleaderandwhenhetellsthemtodosomething,they doit,andtheyrespecthisposition.Acaptaindeservesrespectfromhisteammates.Therespectyour teamhasforyouhelpsdriveyourteamtodotheirshowmorecontent

Whenheyells,hestrikesfearintohiscomrades.Alongwithleadingbyexample,acaptainshould beabletospeakup.Whenateammateisharmingtheteamheshouldspeakupandletthemknowto stopwhattheyaredoingortoleave.Aleadershouldn'tbequiteandexpectpeopletolistenand followthem,heneedstospeakupandtakeaction.

Finally,LeadershipisworkAleaderworksharderthananyoneelseandtheyknowtheyneedtodo so.Acaptainknowsthathehastopushhimselftoworkaboveeveryoneelse.Heshouldrunfaster, hitharder,andblockbetterthananyoneelseontheteam.Ifacaptainworksharderthananyoneelse, theneverythingcomestogetherHeearnsrespect;hetakesresponsibility,andleadsbyexample Believeme,beingaleaderisnotaneasyjob.Ifyoucanaccomplishallthesethingsthenyoucanbe atrueleader.Frommyownexperience,beingacaptainisnoteasy.EvenIstrugglewiththese qualities.Thepressureofbeingaleaderofisoverwhelming,andtakeshardworktoaccomplish. "Leadersaremade,theyarenotborn.Theyaremadebyhardeffort,whichisthepricewhichallof usmustpaytoachieveanygoalthatisworthwhile,"byVince

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ConceptofLeadership

ConceptofLeadership

Leadership–whatisit?Manydefinitionshavebeenoffered,culturalstereotypesabound,numerous programsfocusonleadershipdevelopment,butthequestionremains.Infact,leadershipismany differentthingstodifferentpeopleindifferentcircumstancesWhenwethinkofleadership,we oftenthinkfirstoffamousindividuals.Wemaythinkofgreatpoliticalleaders:Washington, Churchill,Roosevelt.Wemaythinkoftheleadersofsocialmovements:Gandhi,MartinLuther King,CaesarChavezWemaythinkofspiritualleaders:Jesus,Mohammed,MotherTheresaDowe alsoincludeinourdefinitionsomeoftheinfamousleaderssuchasHitler,Stalin,orDavidKoresh?

Obviously,leadershipisnotalwaysorshowmorecontent

InLeadershipIsanArt(1989),DePreeassertsthat"thefirstresponsibilityofaleaderistodefine reality".Bennis(1990)writesthatleaders"managethedream".Visionisdefinedas"theforce whichmoldsmeaningforthepeopleofanorganization"byManasse(1986)

AccordingtoManasse,thisaspectofleadershipis"visionaryleadership"andincludesfourdifferent typesofvision:organization,future,personal,andstrategic.Organizationalvisioninvolveshavinga completepictureofasystem'scomponentsaswellasanunderstandingoftheirinterrelationships. "Futurevisionisacomprehensivepictureofhowanorganizationwilllookatsomepointinthe future,includinghowitwillbepositionedinitsenvironmentandhowitwillfunctioninternally" (Manasse,1986).Personalvisionincludestheleader'spersonalaspirationsfortheorganizationand actsastheimpetusfortheleader'sactionsthatwilllinkorganizationalandfuturevision"Strategic visioninvolvesconnectingtherealityofthepresent(organizationalvision)tothepossibilitiesofthe future(futurevision)inauniqueway(personalvision)thatisappropriatefortheorganizationand itsleader"(Manasse,1986).Aleader'svisionneedstobesharedbythosewhowillbeinvolvedin therealizationofthevision.

SharedVision.

Animportant

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Leadership

1.Definitionofleadershipandhowitdiffersfrommanagement.

Leadershipandmanagementaretwowordsthatarecommonlymistaken;therelationandthe differencesbetweenthemareoftenunclear.Leadershipcanbedefinedastheabilitytoinfluencea grouptowardtheachievementofavisionorasetofgoals."Managersaretheretoplan,organize, leadandmonitoremployees'activitiesLeadersalsohavetobeabletoguideanorganization throughchange.Aswewillseelater,visionisacrucialcomponentinthesuccessofthistask.

2.Basictheoriesonleadership.

Wecandividethetheoriesthatdealwithleadershipin3chronologicalgroupsFirstwerethetrait theories.Untilthe1940's,researchinthe...showmorecontent...

Finally,anothertraitthatwasidentifiedbyrecentstudiesisemotionalintelligence.Thepointisthat ifaleaderdoesn'thaveemotionalintelligenceallhisotherskillsandqualitiessuchas,competence, experience,excellentanalyticalskills,vision,etc.mayfailtohaveapositiveinfluenceonthepeople heleadsCentraltoemotionalintelligenceisempathyandthecaringpartofempathy,especiallyfor thepeoplewithwhomyouwork,iswhatinspirespeopletostaywithaleaderwhenthegoinggets rough.Themerefactthatsomeonecaresismoreoftenthannotrewardedwithloyalty."

b.Behavioraltheories.

Insteadoffocusingonpersonalitytraits,behavioraltheoriesfocusonthebehaviorofeffective leaders.Thisdistinctionisveryimportantbecauseifbehavioraltheoriesprovedtobetruethey wouldmeanthatpeoplecanbetrainedtobecomebetterleaders,incontrasttothetraittheories, whichassumedthatcharacteristicsthatmadethedifferencebetweenleadersandnonleaderswere giventoanindividualandcouldn'tbechanged,thusleavingorganizationswiththerecruiting processofselectingtherightleaderastheonlytooltowardseffectivenessandlittlehopeforany improvement.

ThemostfamousbehavioraltheorywasdevelopedbytheOhioStateUniversityItbasically identifiestwocategoriesofbehaviorassociatedwith

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LeadershipTraits

Asagrowingdebate,thequestionathandiswhethergreatleadersarebornwithspecificleadership traits,orifonecanbetaughtcertaintraitsovertime.Accordingto(Wikipedia.com)theapproachof listingleadershipqualities,oftentermed"traittheoryofleadership",assumescertaintraitsor characteristicswilltendtoleadtoeffectiveleadership.Ibelievethatleadershiptraitssuchashonest, competent,initiative,inspiring,hardworking,intelligent,andtheabilitytoleadthemasses,aresome oftheleadershiptraitsoneshouldpossessWithinthispaper,Iwillexaminetheoverallconceptof leadershiptraits,whileobservingthetraitsthatwere,orcanbeassociatedwithsuccessful leaders.showmorecontent

Leadershipisanactionnotaposition.Withtheproperpersonality,aleadercanaccomplishmany thingslikeknowledgeoftheorganization.Beingabletohandlealltypeofsituationsshowsgreat leadershiptraitsAccordingto(Hughes,Ginnett,andCurphy)theadjustmentdimensionoftheFive FactorModelofPersonality"isconcernedwithhowpeoplereacttostress,failure,orpersonal criticism"anditisimportantforleaderstodeveloptheirresponsetothisdimension.Leadertrait researchexaminedthephysical,mental,andsocialcharacteristicsofindividuals.Ingeneral,these studiessimplylookedforsignificantassociationsbetweenindividualtraitsandmeasuresof leadershipeffectivenessPhysicaltraitssuchasheight,mentaltraitssuchasintelligence,andsocial traitssuchaspersonalityattributeswereallsubjectsofempiricalresearch.(LEADERSHIP

THEORIESANDSTUDIES)

WhenreflectingthroughoutAmerica'shistory,twopeopleinparticularexemplifiedtheessenceof trueleadershiptraits,MartinLutherKingJr.andNelsonMandela.Whileothersdisplayedavast varietyoftraits,MartinLutherKingJr.aswellasNelsonMandeladisplayedtraitsofleadershipthat stoodthetestoftime,andwhiletoday,theirtraitsstillinfluence,aswellasaffectpeopleintoday's society.Throughouthistimeaspoliticalactivist,aswellasSouthAfrica'sfirstAfricanPresident, NelsonMandela's ...Getmorecontent...

"Leadershipisaprocesswherebyanindividualinfluencesagroupofindividualstoachievea commongoal"(Northouse,2010,pg.3).Leadershiphasengagedinmanypracticesthroughouttime. Leadershiphasbeengivengreatimportancewithinorganizations,sincethiscanbedonebasedon leader'sstyles,makingpeoplemoreproductive.Fromitsbeginnings,leadershiphasalwaysbeen focusedontheleader,inthestyleithandlesandtheoriesunderwhichitisrecognized.AsIreflect ontheinformationthatIhavelearnedabout"LeadershipTheoryandPractice"Ifinditextremely importanttoseetheapplicationinreallife.Therefore,IconsideredMrs.Magana,tointerviewand gofurtherwithmycuriositiesaboutherleadershipstyle.Shehasmadeagreatimpactthroughher pathasaleaderhereinFortWorthISD.Mrs.Magana'sgreatestassetsarethefollowersthatshehas beengiventhepleasureofleading.Shealwayswillbethefirsttotellyouthat,withoutdedicated andcommittedteammemberswhoenthusiasticallychoosetofollow,theycanaccomplishlittleShe alsotellsyouthatthebestinvestmentisthetimeshespentwithherteammembers,timespentin learningabouteachteammember'swantsandneeds,timelearningabouteachteammember's valuesandprioritiesSheusesthisinformationtohelpeachindividualgrow,sheprioritizeseach individual'stalentssothattheyaregiventheopportunitytoexcelandadvance.Knowingthis,Iwas

inspiredto

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ALEADERSHIPJOURNEY.

Createdby SHARATHKUMAR

Abstract

Thepaperrecordstheevolutionoftheauthor'sthinkingonleadershipthroughthecourseofhiswork involvement.Leadershipisviewedasadynamicprocesswhichconsistsformalandinformalroles. Theprocessisintroducedasanindividualrecognizesopportunitiesandurgedtoanswerbackto evolvingpatternsandpledgeactiontoenablepositivechange.Thedynamicsbetweenformaland informalleadershipstructuresandleadershipasastateofmindareconferred.

Thefollowingpapershowsareflectiononmypersonaljourneyandgrowingunderstandingof leadershipbasedonmyworkexperience.AsIlookbackintime,Iidentifythatmostofmycurrent interestinleadershipshowmorecontent

MyfavoritedefinitionofleadershiprelicsSunTzuintheArtofWar:"Theway[ofleadership] meansinducingthepeopletohavethesameaimastheleadership,sothattheywillsharedeathand sharelife,withoutfearofdanger"(SunTzu,2005,p.43).Thedefinitionrecognizesthecollaborative dynamicthatleaderandfollowershare–bothsharethebenefitsandrisksinitspursuit.Moreover, Senge'sworkpresentedmetosystemsthinkingandunderstandingtheunifiedwholenessof organizations.ThisviewwasreinforcedbymystudyofNeurolinguisticProgrammingandNeuro–Semantics,understandinghumancommunicationsandthewayinwhichwelearntoconstructour mentalmapsofthearea.Isawconsciousdecisionstobefreeingandchallengingatthesametime.

ThiscommitmentwasachallengingasIbegantoexploretheprocessofleadershipoutsidethe hierarchicalpowerstructurethatcouldcommandactionbypositionalauthorityNowasan independentcontributorIfoundmyselfabletoleadfreelyinavarietyofways,highlightingtheneed ofinfluenceinthecontextsthatIwascalledfor.

Imentallysteppedbackfromthesituationandtookalookatthebusiness,it'sinternalandexternal stakeholdersIwouldforeseetherecedeandflowofpeopleastheyenthusedabouttheirwork,the processesofnumerousdepartmentsthatenabledthisorganismtobeeffective.Ialsorealizedthat minorissuesevolvedintomajor

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Changeiswhenapersondoesnotfollowtheireverydayroutine.Theymaywanttotrysomething different,orbeforcedto.Changecanbeforthegoodandthebad.Placescandealwithchange rangingfromtheweather,totheanimalspresent,ortheseasonschanging.Also,objectscandeal withchangetoo.Objectslikeanicebergcanstarttomelt,oraforestfirecankillmanytreesinan areaAsahuman,wearetheonesdecidingonchangeWeareinapositiontomakebigdecisions andpossiblyevenbecomealeaderinorderforchangetohappen.Ifonepersonstartstochange, otherswillfollowandhopefully,thechangebenefitsall.Changeaffectsusintheworkplace, participatingonateam,andinsocietyshowmorecontent Ifaleadertookinitiativetoshowotherstheseriousnessofglobalwarming,wecouldsaveanimals lives.ThepenguinsfromthebookOurIcebergisMelting,hadamixtureofemotionswhiledealing withchange.Someembracedthechangeofmovingicebergswhileotherstriedtoconvincethe othersmovingwasabadidea.ThepenguinsembracedchangebyhavingFreddiscovertheiriceberg wasindangerHethentoldAlice,whoisapenguinwithhigherauthorityandtheyformedabigger teamofpenguins."NoneofthosewithwhomAlicespokeshowedanyenthusiasmabouttheideaof swimmingintoabigdarkcave"(OurIcebergpg20).Theteamofpenguinsbroughttheideaof changingicebergstothecoloniesattentionandhadtheirscoutssearchforanewhome.After searching,thescoutsfoundanewicebergwhichwassaferforthepenguinsandintheend,mostof thepenguinsadaptedtotheirnewhomeandmadenewtraditionsThemovewasasuccessandsome ofthepenguinswhowereoriginallyagainstthechangearehappierwiththenewiceberg.Thispast yeartheStocktonSoftballteamhiredanewcoachtoaddourstaff.Thehittingcoachwasnewtoall thereturningplayersbecausewehadneverhadacoachspecificallyforhittingandanewadditionto thestaff.ThewholeteamandIhadtoadapttochangebecausethenewcoachhadnewrules, expectations,and

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Successfulorganizationshavestrongleadersandmanagersthatdevelop,supportandencourage employeelongevitywithinacompany.Thereisasignificantdifferencebetweenleadershipand managementhoweverbothskillshavetobeusedcollectivelyandbothareimportanttoaprofitable organization.Leadershipisanotionofcommunicatinganorganization'svision,whereas managementismoreoftheimplementationoftheorganization'svisionThemanagertypically carriesouttheresponsibilitieswrittenbytheorganizationandhasagoodteamunderneaththemto carryoutthedutiesandmeetthegoals.Mostcompanieshaveamissionstatementthatmirrorsand supportsacompany'svisionWhenreferringleadershipandmanagement,thetwoshowmore content...

AccordingtoHerseyandBlanchard(1998),therearethreeareasrequiredforeffectiveleadership. Technicalskills,whichincludesclinicalexpertiseandknowledgeasitpertainstonursing.Secondly, humanskills,whichistheabilityandjudgmenttoworkwithpeopleinleadershiproles.Andlastly, conceptualskillswhichistheabilitytounderstandthecomplexitiesofoverallorganizationand figureouthowandwhereone'sownstrengthsofmanagementfitsintotheoverallorganization (Cherry,Jacob2011).Leadershipisuniquecomparedtoanyotherrolebecauseofitsresponsibility forpeople.Goodleadersarefollowedmerelybecausetheyhavegainedpeople'strustandrespect.

Management:

Managementinvolvesthetacticalaspectofdaytodayfunctionsandwhokeepscontrolofthework environmenttomakesuretheorganizationismovingforwardandinthesamedirectionofthe company'svisionManagersarefacedwithmanyresponsibilitieseachday,oneofwhichis managingpeople.Thegoalofasuccessfulmanageristoachievethehighestproductivityofthe organizationbywayofthepeoplehe/shemanages.Amanagerismoreofaproblemsolverandtakes careofworkareasrelatingtopeoplemanagement,timemanagement,decisionmakingetc.

AccordingtoLewin(1951)andWhite&Lippit(1960),therearethreeprevalentmanagement behaviorstyles:Authoritarian,democraticandlaissez–fare(Cherry,

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"Desireisthekeytomotivation,butit'sdeterminationandcommitmenttoanunrelentingpursuitof yourgoalacommitmenttoexcellencethatwillenableyoutoattainthesuccessyouseek".–Mario Andretti

Leadershipistheprocessofmotivatingotherstoworktomeetspecificgoalsandobjectives.A leadermotivatesotherstoactionThus,itisthemotivationofothersandtheiractionsthatdefinesa successfulleader.Inotherwords,leadershipistheartandscienceofgettingotherstoperformand achieveavision.Therefore,leadershipisnotonlyreflectedinperformance,nomatterhowgoodthat performanceis,butinaccomplishment.Asaleaderone'sfocusshouldbeonaccomplishingthat leadershipgoals,whetherinapersonal,communityorcharitable,business,political,orindustrial forumInthebusinessworld,managershaveagreatresponsibilityofleadingemployeesworking underthem.Inordertoachievesuccessfulleadership,aleaderoramanagershouldpossesscertain principlesandessentialskills.

Thisessaywillfirstlystartbydefiningthekeyterms,leadershipandmotivationNexttheessaywill givealiteraturereviewandmoveontoanalyticallyexploretheleadershipandmotivationincross culturalexperiencesIndoingso,themotivationaltheorieswillbeexplainedinasummarized manner.Finally,theessaywillbeconcludedwiththefindingsfromseveraldifferentstudieson motivationandleadership.

PersonalPhilosophyofLeadership

Beingaleaderismorethansimplyholdingaleadershippositionorhavingtheabilitytolead. Everyoneiscapableofbeingaleader,butnoteveryoneexerciseshisorherleadershipabilities. Eachperson'sideaofleadershipisdifferent.Myideaofleadershiphasdevelopedovertime,and beingamemberofthePresident'sLeadershipClasshashelpedmedevelopmyphilosophyof leadershipfurtherthanwhatitwastwomonthsago.Mypersonalphilosophyofleadershipisthe abilitytoeffectchangethroughleadingbyexample,takinginitiative,andencouragingothers. TherehavebeenmanythingsthathaveaffectedmyphilosophyofleadershipSomethingthathas affectedmeasaleaderismyvalues.One...showmorecontent...

Therehavealsobeenpeoplewhohavemotivatedmetobealeader,especiallymyhighschool orchestradirector.Attheendofmyjunioryear,mydirectorcalledmeintohisofficeandtoldmehe wouldbemovingmefromthefirstviolinsectiontothesecondviolinsection.HesaidheknewIwas quietinthebackofthefirstviolinsection,buthecouldseeIpossessedtheleadershipskills necessarytositinthefrontofthesecondviolinsection.Thisreallymotivatedmetotryandmake himproudthenextyearatthefrontofthesection.Manydifferentaspectsofmylifehaveaffected myleadershipphilosophy.

Iwantotherstobeabletoseemyleadershipphilosophyatwork.Todothis,itisimportantthatIbe abletoconnectwiththoseIseektolead,as"TheRelationalLeadershipModel"states, "Relationshipsarethefocalpointoftheleadershipprocess"(Komives,Lucas,&McMahon,p. 74).OnewayIhopetodeveloparelationshipwithmyfollowersisby"ModelingtheWay" (Kouzes,Posner,2008)IwilldothisbyclarifyingmyvaluesandleadingbyexampleClarifying valuesisimportantbecause"Toearnandsustainpersonalcredibility,onemustbeabletoclearly articulatedeeplyheldbeliefs"(Kouzes,Posner,2008,p.29).Byclarifyingmyvalues,thoseIseek toleadwillunderstandmymissionandwillbelieveIhaveagoalinmind.Leadingby

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Theroleofaleaderisoftenseenastolead.However,therearemanywaysandstylesthatcanbe adoptedbyaleader,Untilrecentlyamanagerwasseenasaleader,butthereisanincreasing differentiationmadeinthecommercialworldbetweenamanagerandaleader.Therefore,inthis papertherewillbetheaimofdefiningwhataleaderis,howtheymaybeeffectiveandhowskills maybedevelopedbyapotentialleaderWebster'sEnglishDictionarydefinesaleaderas"Onewho, orthatwhich,leadsorconducts;aguide;aconductor.Especially:(a)Onewhogoesfirst.(b)One havingauthoritytodirect;achief;acommander"(Dictionary.com).Thisgivesustheinsightinto howleadersareseentodayInthepastaleaderandamanagerwereoneandthesamething,withthe adventofscientificmanagementandthedevelopmentofthetheoriesofFrederickWinslowTaylor thejobofthemanagerorleaderwastogainthegreatestvaluefromtheemployees.Inmanyeasy, thisisstilltheroleoftheleader.However,themethodsandperceptionsregardingthewayinwhich thisisachievedhavechangedgreatly.Theindustrialrevolutionthatembodiesscientific managementsawstandardisationintheuseofproceduresandtools,withtheonebestmethodbeing dictatedtothemostsuitableemployee,whowasexpectedtoperformthetaskintheirmachinelike manner.Thetaskswerebrokendownintothesmallestcomponentswhichwouldacquiretheissues giveortraining.JohnChild

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Intoday'scompetitiveworld,leadershipskillsarecrucialforbothpersonalandprofessional development.Leadershipisanimportantfunctionofmanagementwhichhelpsanindividualora businesstomaximizeefficiencyandtoachievegoals.Leadershiphasdifferentmeaningstovarious authors.Mostcommonly,leadershipisdefinedasinfluence,thatis,theartofinfluencingpeopleso thattheywillstrivewillinglyandenthusiasticallytowardtheachievementofgroupgoals(Koontz) Leadershipistheprocessofinfluencingtheactivitiesofeitherformalorinformalgroupinthetask ofgoalsettingandgoalachievement.Aleaderisonewhosemagneticpersonalityinnervatespeople forsomecauseNotbywords,butbytheiractionsisshowmorecontent Peoplerequiresgoodleadershipskillsatpersonal,professionalandsociallevel.Personalleadership helpsustodetermineourdesires,strengthsandabilities.ItmeansKnowingwhatwewantoutof life;knowingwhatsuccessisforus;whatareourgoalsandhowtoachievethosegoalsregardlessof whatotherpeoplethink,say,ordo.Personalleadershiphelpsustomakeourpresentbetterand shapeagoodfutureGoodleadershipisalsoimportanttorunabusinessUsually,incompanies, managementstressesmoreondecision–makingskills.Theybelieveatimelyandsmartdecision willhelptheircompanytosucceed.Theyforgetthatimplementationofthosedecisionsareas importantasmakingthosedecision.Withoutaproperimplementation,therewillbenoresults.Like thereisasayingthat,it'seasiertosaidthandone.Similarly,makingadecisionwillchangenothing, itshowtogetthingsdoneinatimelyandaneffectivewaywillhelpanorganizationtoaccomplish theirgoals.Leadershipiscrucialinimplementingdecisionscorrectlyandsuccessfully.Eachofus understandimportanceofleadershipwhenitcomestoourcountry.Wealltrytovoteforthebest personinelectionsbecauseitmatterswhoisinofficePresidentmakedecisionsconcerningour lives,country,andtheworld.Asanation,weplacenogreaterresponsibilityonanyoneindividual thanwedoonthepresident.Therefore,leadership

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