Leadership Essay Examples

What Leadership Means to Me Essay

My idea of leadership is being able to inspire others, motivate, set a vision, communicate, respect others, and of course, lead by example. A leader must have an honest understanding of who they are, what they know, and what they are capable of. To be a successful leader, you have to be able to convince your followers, not just yourself or your superiors, that you are worthy of being followed. In my opinion, this can build confidence in their followers to have faith in you, in order to be able to lead. I strongly believe that good leaders are made rather, and not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders are developed through a never ending process of self–study, education, training, and...show more content...

The way in which I communicate either builds or can harm the relationship between my soldier and I. When an important moment of discussion arises, I am always prepared to appropriately handle the situation at hand. More than anything else, I believe as a leader it is always important to have great social skills in order to be communicative with clarity and objectiveness, and to have a good relationship with the ones I lead. As a leader, I understand the meaning of recognition and praise when one is doing a good job, which too is significantly important. A leader is not always the first to have an idea, but should be the one who is always seeking out new solutions. One way of being a productive leader is discovering new ways to accomplish a set of tasks while maintaining a positive attitude. If a soldier is demonstrating a bad attitude because he feels that he can not accomplish a task then my job as a leader, would be to steadily encourage that soldier to work at being all that he can be. A leader to me, does not need to always know the answer, but believes it to be important to have the initiative to make an answer appear. One form of bad leadership would be an NCO performing or demonstrating a task that he knows nothing about in front of his soldiers. In the result of the NCO not performing or demonstrating the task at hand correctly, the soldiers then become incapable of knowing the proper ways of that task. However, if that NCO had

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Definition Essay Leadership

Domenick Caruso

November 14th 2010

Personal Essay

What is Leadership?

Leadership is defined as the position of a leader, the ability to lead. I assure you it is much more then that. Being a leader is not easy, I have learned from personal experience. Being a captain of a football team is hard work. It takes guts to stand up and be a leader.Leadership is respect. Respect by others. You can't force people to respect you; you've got to earn it. A good leader earns respect from his, or her, peers. They know he is their leader and when he tells them to do something, they do it, and they respect his position. A captain deserves respect from his teammates. The respect your team has for you helps drive your team to do their...show more content...

When he yells, he strikes fear into his comrades. Along with leading by example, a captain should be able to speak up. When a teammate is harming the team he should speak up and let them know to stop what they are doing or to leave. A leader shouldn't be quite and expect people to listen and follow them, he needs to speak up and take action. Finally, Leadership is work. A leader works harder than anyone else and they know they need to do so. A captain knows that he has to push himself to work above everyone else. He should run faster, hit harder, and block better than anyone else on the team. If a captain works harder than anyone else, then everything comes together. He earns respect; he takes responsibility, and leads by example. Believe me, being a leader is not an easy job. If you can accomplish all these things then you can be a true leader. From my own experience, being a captain is not easy. Even I struggle with these qualities. The pressure of being a leader of is overwhelming, and takes hard work to accomplish. "Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile," by

Vince

Iana Lukina

What did I learn from my leadership class?

There are lots examples of organizations in which everything seems to be done right, but something is still missing. They have no soul. There is nothing that can breathe life into the administrative system. They exist without faith, love, and hope. They are doomed to such a gray existence, unless there is a person or a team of associates who discover the essence and meaning in this frozen system. Such a person is called a leader and a role in which he operates – leadership. How do people become leaders? With experience, with age or from birth?

In order to rise to the top, you need to have everything to climb. A person, who has the courage to go forward or up, needs two things. He...show more content...

The second thing is to organize and motivate yourself. I understand how to give myself the best chance to flourish. We can make leaders from ourselves. But the main thing here is that by changing myself, I must always stay myself. You do not need necessary to wear a mask of who you want to be, even if you really want it. It will not lead to good results; you will only inflate your cheeks instead of an objective assessment of your capabilities. We need to use the full power of all the energy, talents and abilities that are given to us. There is no need to wait for the results from reading popular psychological literature with the promising titles like "Leader for the Week", "How quickly to become a millionaire" and etc., biographies of "famous and successful." Moreover it will not be useful to visit courses, where self–styled psychologists, of course, for a large fee, are teaching people how to become successful. Objective assessment of yourselves, your capabilities, coupled with self–development and a clear statement of purpose – that is what is needed.

In order to analyze my drawbacks, to accept them (which is itself a step forward) and to uproot it, I find out the following methods: * Talk with my own inside critic. We need to listen to his comments on others and ourselves and objectively contradict him. And even better to have a notebook in which to write down everything he tells you. I should step back and look

Leadership Traits

As a growing debate, the question at hand is whether great leaders are born with specific leadership traits, or if one can be taught certain traits over time. According to (Wikipedia.com) the approach of listing leadership qualities, often termed "trait theory of leadership", assumes certain traits or characteristics will tend to lead to effective leadership. I believe that leadership traits such as honest, competent, initiative, inspiring, hardworking, intelligent, and the ability to lead the masses, are some of the leadership traits one should possess. Within this paper, I will examine the overall concept of leadership traits, while observing the traits that were, or can be associated with successful leaders....show more content...

Leadership is an action not a position. With the proper personality, a leader can accomplish many things like knowledge of the organization. Being able to handle all type of situations shows great leadership traits. According to (Hughes, Ginnett, and Curphy) the adjustment dimension of the Five Factor Model of Personality "is concerned with how people react to stress, failure, or personal criticism" and it is important for leaders to develop their response to this dimension. Leader trait research examined the physical, mental, and social characteristics of individuals. In general, these studies simply looked for significant associations between individual traits and measures of leadership effectiveness. Physical traits such as height, mental traits such as intelligence, and social traits such as personality attributes were all subjects of empirical research.

(LEADERSHIP THEORIES AND STUDIES)

When reflecting throughout America's history, two people in particular exemplified the essence of true leadership traits, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. While others displayed a vast variety of traits, Martin Luther King Jr. as well as Nelson Mandela displayed traits of leadership that stood the test of time, and while today, their traits still influence, as well as affect people in today's society. Throughout his time as political activist, as well as South Africa's first African President, Nelson Mandela's Get more

Motivation and Leadership are intrinsically linked in the fact that one allows an easement in the process of the other. Without the ability to use the mutual relationship of leadership to influence the motivators of followers, leaders stagnate and are limited by their own inability to accomplish all that must be for real change to occur. In less Rostonian terms (that is, based on Rost (1993)), without a motivated group of followers leaders are stranded and not achieving to a level of excellence. This paper will discuss some areas of importance for motivation in leadership as well as an application to leadership theory and a discussion on personal motivators. Motivation is the reason or purpose behind action, or what causes one to act in...show more content...

Osland, et al. (2007) provide a good introduction to three basic motivational content theories. The first theory is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs that proposes man is motivated by a lack in the one or more of the five common needs. The needs that Maslow identifies are physiological, safety, social belonging, self–esteem, and self–actualization. Maslow believed that one fills needs from the most basic (like food and water) to the highest level (self–actualization). Maslow's ideas are easy to relate to and attempt to provide an all–inclusive approach to the concept of motivation; however, there is little evidence to support the idea that man cannot have self–actualization without the other more basic needs first satisfied. The second content theory Osland, et al. discuss is McCelland's learned needs. McCelland states that man is motivated by one of three things: achievement, power, or affiliation– or a mixture of the three. Each of these needs can possess a negative or positive connotation or implementation, but it is argued that people motivated by affiliation make better leaders. The third theory presented is McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y. McGregor asserts that Theory X people or employees are inherently lazy and must be controlled and forced to act, whereas Theory Y people are self–controlled, motivated, and ambitious. Steers, et al. (1996) identify an additional theory of motivation, which builds on Maslow's

Effective Leadership Essay

In today's competitive world, leadership skills are crucial for both personal and professional development. Leadership is an important function of management which helps an individual or a business to maximize efficiency and to achieve goals. Leadership has different meanings to various authors.Most commonly, leadership is defined as influence, that is, the art of influencing people so that they will strive willingly and enthusiastically toward the achievement of group goals. (Koontz). Leadership is the process of influencing the activities of either formal or informal group in the task of goal setting and goal achievement. A leader is one whose magnetic personality innervates people for some cause. Not by words, but by their actions is...show more content...

People requires good leadership skills at personal, professional and social level. Personal leadership helps us to determine our desires, strengths and abilities. It means Knowing what we want out of life; knowing what success is for us; what are our goals and how to achieve those goals regardless of what other people think, say, or do. Personal leadership helps us to make our present better and shape a good future. Good leadership is also important to run a business. Usually, in companies, management stresses more on decision– making skills. They believe a timely and smart decision will help their company to succeed. They forget that implementation of those decisions are as important as making those decision. Without a proper implementation , there will be no results. Like there is a saying that, it's easier to said than done. Similarly, making a decision will change nothing, its how to get things done in a timely and an effective way will help an organization to accomplish their goals. Leadership is crucial in implementing decisions correctly and successfully. Each of us understand importance of leadership when it comes to our country. We all try to vote for the best person in elections because it matters who is in office. President make decisions concerning our lives, country, and the world. As a nation, we place no greater responsibility on any one individual than we do on the president. Therefore, leadership

Leader as a Role Model

Role Model People who influence our lives in positive ways a called role models, it is a key quality of a leader to be a role model. Followers want to follow a leader who they can point to as an example in almost every thing they do. Good leaders set the pace for their followers by their lifestyle, behavior, and actions. Leader as a role model Followers will become a fan for life for a leader who becomes a mirror through which they see themselves and make adjustments to live a worthy and better life. If truly one wants to survive in the leader ship position he will have to pay close attention to the needs of the followers. If the leader wants to lead by example it is not simply being proactive or taking initiative when a call to action is...show more content...

Be supportive to your team members and do every thing you can to encourage their success over your own. Be dependable. Being dependable is an extremely important quality. When you say that you will do something, you should do it. Be punctual. People will be relying on you and it is important to follow through on all your commitments. Always keep a positive attitude even when times are though. Smiles are catchy and sometimes that is all one needs to brighten someone else's day. Always hope for the best but be gracious if disappointment comes your way. Persistence is important for success. No matter what you do, there will be obstacles. Do not let the road blocks stop you. Stay focused and never gives up. Have courage, be confident who you are and in your abilities. You worked hard to get where you are .believe in your self and your team. Be generous with your time and with your talents. Spend time doing things for others in your community. Volunteer with local organizations your efforts will not only be rewarded personally but also will be appreciated by those around you. Be respectful, mind your manners and practice proper etiquette. Treat everyone you encounter with respect. Set an example of how to be kind to others and how to handle yourself with grace. Know your team, what are their problems? What are they concerned about? What are

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In corporate America the term used to describe a person in a position of power is "Manager". A leader can be a manager, but a manager is not necessarily a leader. Leaders motivate, challenge, and influence others to achieve goals. Great leaders have the necessary skills and attributes which allow them to connect with the team and organization. Being a leader is not the same as managing an organization. Leader's posses the interpersonal skills needed to influence others to achieve a goal willingly. Leading is a major part of a manager's job. Leaders do not need to be a manager to lead people, but managers must know how to lead as well as manage. Each person in a company brings his or her own experiences, values, and beliefs to the...show more content...

Bova (2008) states that the following four characteristics are found in good leaders: they believe in open communication, they do not stick with the status quo, they are selective in what they measure, and they have passion for values and culture. Each characteristic is essential to a healthy organizational culture. When an employee feels he or she has open communication with a leader, they are more inclined to share if problems arise whether or not work related. Non–work related issues may eventually take a toll on an employee's performance at work. However, with open communication, an employee feels comfortable in apprising the leader of a situation so that future problems are avoided. Not all managers are leaders and not all leaders are managers. The biggest difference between management and leadership is people skills. In determining if a person is a leader or a manager, Bova (2008) lists some differences with which many a person would agree. One difference is that a manager directs people. Managers essentially tell employees to get the job done. Many people work on autopilot until their work shift ends. However, people will follow a leader. Leaders inspire others to want to strive for their best and to go beyond their normal duties. Another difference between managers and leaders is that managers tend to control or micromanage their department. Such management style causes employees to be unhappy and possibly rebel. Under these types of

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Military Leadership Examples

The most dominant tenant of military leadership is to "lead by example." What people fail to realize, however, is that everyone leads by example. Some people tend to lead by a good example, and some people tend to lead by a bad example. I firmly believe that the first "leadership example" you get as a cadet has the ability to shape your future experiences and contributions. Be it one semester of having a great instructor, or three years of having a phenomenal tactical officer (TAC), I would argue that the rate of return on cadet output with a positive experience is tenfold that of a negative experience. My TAC of Company C–2, Major (Promotable) Nicole Ussery was that positive experience for me at school. MAJ Ussery is a female Military

Management and Leadership

Management and leadership, two words that are considered synonymous and are often used in the same context, yet they do not mean the same thing and they describe two different concepts. According to the dictionary, management is

1) The act, manner or practice of managing; handling, supervision, or control;

2) The person or persons who control or direct a business or other enterprise;

3) Skill in managing; executive ability; where as leadership is

1) The position or office of a leader;

2) Capacity or ability to lead;

3) A group of leaders;

4) Guidance; direction. In many organizations, management is a job description; leadership is a positive trait. Managers tend to think incrementally, while leaders think ...show more content...

Management normally consists of people, who are experienced in their field, and have worked their way up the company. A manager knows how each layer of the system works and may also possess a good technical knowledge. Managers are "principally administrators ¬– they write business plans, set budgets and monitor progress." Additional tasks handled by managers are problem–solving and facilitating meetings. Managers usually achieve their position through experience and understanding, and obtain authority through time and loyalty. In business, leadership is "the ability to influence employees to voluntarily pursue organizational goals." Leadership is one of the many assets a successful manager should possess. While management is considered a position, leadership is considered a relationship. Thus, leadership is the connection between the leader and their subordinates that makes management successful. This connection can strengthen an organization and make the work more focused and effective. Leadership is the ability to get people to willingly follow. A person who exhibits the traits of leadership is called a leader. The role of a leader is to ensure that the desired tasks and guidelines are implemented throughtout the team. Since managers can not be everywhere at the same time, leaders are put into place to bridge the gap while echoing managements requirements. Because leaders are the link between the

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A Leadership Journey

A LEADERSHIP JOURNEY.

Created by SHARATH KUMAR Abstract

The paper records the evolution of the author's thinking on leadership through the course of his work involvement. Leadership is viewed as a dynamic process which consists formal and informal roles. The process is introduced as an individual recognizes opportunities and urged to answer back to evolving patterns and pledge action to enable positive change. The dynamics between formal and informal leadership structures and leadership as a state of mind are conferred.

The following paper shows a reflection on my personal journey and growing understanding of leadership based on my work experience. As I look back in time, I identify that most of my current interest in leadership...show more content...

My favorite definition of leadership relics Sun Tzu in the Art of War: "The way [of leadership] means inducing the people to have the same aim as the leadership, so that they will share death and share life, without fear of danger" (Sun Tzu, 2005, p.43). The definition recognizes the collaborative dynamic that leader and follower share– both share the benefits and risks in its pursuit. Moreover, Senge's work presented me to systems thinking and understanding the unified wholeness of organizations. This view was reinforced by my study of Neurolinguistic Programming and Neuro–Semantics, understanding human communications and the way in which we learn to construct our mental maps of the area. I saw conscious decisions to be freeing and challenging at the same time. This commitment was a challenging as I began to explore the process of leadership outside the hierarchical power structure that could command action by positional authority. Now as an independent contributor I found myself able to lead freely in a variety of ways, highlighting the need of influence in the contexts that I was called for.

I mentally stepped back from the situation and took a look at the business, it's internal and external stakeholders. I would foresee the recede and

flow of people as they enthused about their work, the processes of numerous departments that enabled this organism to be effective. I also realized that minor issues evolved into major

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Entrepreneurial Leadership Essay examples

Discuss the common elements described in the theories/philosophies of Case, Kouzes, and Drucker including how their principles/strategies relate to the new definition of entrepreneurial leadership presented in Understanding Entrepreneurial leader ship in today's Dynamic Markets. The new definition of entrepreneurial leadership is one of an enterprising, transformational leader who operates in the dynamic market that offers lucrative opportunities. It is also believed that the entrepreneurial leader has the following transformation leader dimensions. They are clarity, communication, consistency, caring, creating opportunities, self confidence, power need and its use, and vision (Tarabishy 2002). Steve Case, James Kouzes, and Peter Drucker...show more content...

). Steve Case identified his ideals in three words: People, Passion and Perseverance. While James Kouzes simplified his philosophy to five practices of exemplarily leadership which are: model the way; inspired a shared vision; challenge the process; enable others to act: and encourage the heart (Kouzes 2008). All of these men provide clarity to their ideals but provide easy to follow guidelines to success. Communication– Kouzes believed that you first are clear about a set of values and beliefs that will guide you, and then you need to set a personal example (Kouzes 2008). On one of Case first resumes he wrote, "technological advances in will result in our television becoming an information line" (Case 2010) .

Consistency– This characteristic is shown in all men. Case stated, "The real battle is not about the product it's really about all of the attention and being able to sustain it" (Case 2010). Kouzes believed that your actions should be consistent with words (Kouzes 2008). While Drucker believed clear cut objectives encourage consistency (Prakash 2005)

Caring– James Kouzes believed that you should "Encourage the Heart". This is where you tell the people that are following you "thank you", while taking the time

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