As You Grow And Learn More About Leadership
As You Grow And Learn More About Leadership Thinking About Your Own S
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?
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Leadership development is a continuous journey that involves self-awareness, reflection, and application of leadership principles in various contexts. As individuals grow and acquire more knowledge about leadership, they begin to identify their personal leadership traits, set goals for enhancement, and develop a strategic leadership style that aligns with their values and aspirations. This essay explores personal leadership traits, compares them with a admired leader, relates them to a leadership theory, and reflects on prior and new insights about one's leadership style.
Choosing an Admired Leader and Identifying Similar Traits
For this exercise, I have chosen Mahatma Gandhi as the admired leader. Gandhi is renowned for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance, integrity, humility, and perseverance. Reflecting upon my own leadership style, I recognize a few similarities with Gandhi’s traits. Both of us prioritize ethical behavior and integrity as fundamental components of leadership. Like Gandhi, I believe in leading by example, maintaining moral consistency, and actively promoting social justice and equality.
These shared traits stem from a core value system that emphasizes moral principles over personal gain. Gandhi’s ability to inspire others through nonviolent activism mirrors my belief that leadership should empower and uplift others without coercion. This alignment highlights the importance of authenticity and moral conviction in effective leadership.
Leadership Theory Matching My Style
The Transformational Leadership theory closely aligns with my leadership style. This theory emphasizes inspiring and motivating followers through articulated vision, individualized consideration, intellectual stimulation, and idealized influence (Bass & Avolio, 1994). Transformational leaders are characterized by their ability to foster emotional connections, encourage innovation, and promote personal growth among team members.
Under this framework, I aim to motivate others by articulating a compelling vision aligned with shared values, promoting a sense of purpose. I also focus on developing individual strengths, providing support, and encouraging creative problem-solving. These core concepts resonate with my belief that leadership is about empowering others to realize their full potential and catalyze positive change.
Prior Knowledge of My Leadership Style
Before engaging in this reflective exercise, I was aware that my leadership approach leaned toward transformational qualities such as inspiration, motivation, and ethical conduct. I recognized that I value relationships, open communication, and shared goals, which are critical aspects of transformational leadership. Additionally, I understood that I tend to facilitate collaboration rather than command authority, aiming to create a supportive environment for growth.
New Insights Gained
A significant new insight I discovered is the depth of the influence that authentic moral conviction has on effective leadership. While I was aware of the importance of integrity, I now understand that consistently embodying core values enhances credibility and fosters trust among followers. Furthermore, I learned that integrating emotional intelligence with transformational principles can significantly improve leadership effectiveness, particularly in navigating complex social dynamics and inspiring sustained commitment.
Conclusion
Developing a clear understanding of personal leadership traits, aligning them with admired leaders and relevant theories, is fundamental for effective leadership development. Recognizing similarities with leaders like Mahatma Gandhi reinforces the importance of moral integrity and authentic influence. Embracing transformational leadership concepts further strengthens my ability to inspire and empower others. Ongoing reflection and learning remain essential to refining my leadership style and achieving my leadership goals.
References
- Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Sage Publications.
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Gandhi, M. (2012). The essential Gandhi. Vintage.
- Antonakis, J., & House, R. J. (2014). Heresy, nonsense, and a bit of faith: The case of transformational leadership theory. The Leadership Quarterly, 25(1), 143–165.
- Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
- Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
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- Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.
- Kelly, A., & Soler, D. (2020). Emotional intelligence and leadership effectiveness. Journal of Leadership Studies, 14(3), 45–59.
- George, B. (2007). Authentic leadership: Courage in action. Jossey-Bass.