,000 Words: As You Grow And Learn About Leadership ✓ Solved

1,000 word As you grow and learn more about leadership

As you grow and learn more about leadership, thinking about your own skill sets and goals is important. Start thinking about your own leadership goals, such as developing leadership skills, learning about specific leader characteristics, and how to develop your leadership plan. For the next few weeks, you will start to develop your own Leadership Style Action Plan, applying knowledge of leadership principles to personal and workplace situations. Prior to starting your Leadership Style Action Plan, review the following article: · 23 Traits of Good Leadership Then, respond to the following: · Based on your research, the course materials, and what you have reviewed, choose 1 leader whom you admire who shares a few of your same leadership traits. Explain these similarities. · Identify 1 leadership theory that matches your style, and explain the key leadership concepts of that theory. · What did you already know about your leadership style? · What is 1 new thing that you learned about your leadership style? Be sure to provide APA citations and references to support your work.

Paper For Above Instructions

Leadership is a dynamic and essential trait in both personal and professional settings. As I reflect on my experiences and growth in leadership, I find it crucial to assess my skills and set realistic goals that align with the leadership qualities I admire. In this paper, I will explore my own leadership style, analyzing it in the context of a leader I respect, defining my leadership theory, and discussing my pre-existing knowledge regarding my approach to leadership alongside new insights I have recently gained.

Admired Leader and Similar Traits

The leader I admire most is Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Her leadership style is characterized by empathy, resilience, and effective communication. I identify with Ardern’s empathetic approach, as I believe it is essential to connect with team members on a human level. Like Ardern, I strive to maintain open lines of communication and transparency in my relationships. Her ability to make tough decisions while considering the well-being of her citizens mirrors my intention to make balanced decisions, weighing the benefits and drawbacks, which is a similarity I find compelling.

Furthermore, Ardern’s resiliency in the face of challenges reinforces my belief in perseverance. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she utilized her leadership to implement measures that prioritized public health while providing clear, consistent communication to her citizens (Ferguson, 2020). This approach resonates with my leadership traits, as I prioritize comprehensive information dissemination and support to my team during challenging times.

Leadership Theory That Matches My Style

After analyzing my traits against established frameworks, I align notably with the transformational leadership theory. Transformational leadership focuses on inspiring and motivating followers to exceed their own self-interests for the good of the organization, often leading to improved team morale and performance (Robinson & Judge, 2017). The key concepts of this theory include idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Bass & Avolio, 1994).

In terms of idealized influence, I strive to be a role model for my team, demonstrating the ethical standards and values I expect from them. My inspirational motivation comes from effectively communicating a vision that excites and engages my team, which has proven helpful in rallying support for initiatives. Moreover, I encourage intellectual stimulation by welcoming innovative ideas and solutions from team members to tackle challenges, valuing their input as a vital part of our success. Finally, I provide individualized consideration by remaining attuned to the unique strengths and weaknesses of team members, offering support and growth opportunities as needed.

Existing Knowledge of My Leadership Style

Before delving into the leadership theory and my admired leader, I understood my leadership style as collaborative and supportive. I have always valued teamwork and sought to include input from colleagues in decision-making processes. This collaborative nature helps to create an environment where collective effort is prioritized, fostering a sense of ownership among team members. I have seen great results from this approach, as well as the development of strong interpersonal relationships within my teams, which according to Northouse (2018), is essential for effective leadership.

New Insights Gained

One new insight I have gained regarding my leadership style is the concept of emotional intelligence and its critical role in effective leadership. Prior to this exploration, I had a surface-level understanding of emotional intelligence as simply being aware of one’s own emotions. However, upon further research, I learned that it involves managing one's emotions while also being sensitive to the emotional states of others (Goleman, 1995). This realization has led me to appreciate the importance of empathy even more in leadership. Moving forward, I aim to refine my skills in emotional regulation and practice active listening to better understand my team’s concerns and motivations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the journey of exploring my leadership style has been enlightening. I have identified Jacinda Ardern as a leader I admire, particularly for her empathetic approach and effective communication style, which I seek to emulate. I have recognized that I closely align with transformational leadership principles, and this framework gives me clarity on how to further develop my skills. Additionally, I have gained insights into emotional intelligence, emphasizing the need for empathy and emotional awareness in my leadership practice. Moving forward, I will implement these insights and continuously assess my leadership development, aiming for meaningful growth in my leadership abilities.

References

• Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Sage Publications.
• Ferguson, J. (2020). How New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern led the country through the COVID crisis. The Guardian. Retrieved from [link]
• Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage Publications.
• Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2017). Organizational behavior. Pearson.