Assignment 2 Leader Profile: Many Argue That The Largest

Assignment 2 Leader Profilemany Argue That The Single Largest Variabl

Choose one leader you consider to be effective. This can be a leader you are personally aware of, or someone you don’t know, but have observed to be an effective leader. Write a paper addressing the following: Explain how this leader has influenced you and why you think he or she is effective. Analyze what characteristics or qualities this person possesses that affected you most. Rate this leader by using a leadership scorecard. This can be a developed scorecard, or one you develop yourself. If you use a developed scorecard, please be sure to cite the sources of the scorecard. Once you have identified your scorecard, rate your leader. You decide what scores to include (for example, scale of 1–5, 5 being the highest) but be sure to assess the leader holistically across the critical leadership competencies you feel are most important (for example, visioning, empowering, strategy development and communication). Critique this individual’s skills against what you have learned about leadership so far in this course.

Consider the following: How well does he/she meet the practices covered in your required readings? How well has he/she adapted to the challenges facing leaders today? If you could recommend changes to his/her leadership approach, philosophy, and style, what would you suggest? Why? Using the assigned readings, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet including general organizational sources like the Wall Street Journal, BusinessWeek, or Harvard Business Review, build a leadership profile of the leader you selected. Include information from personal experiences as well as general postings on the selected leader from Internet sources such as blogs. Be sure to include 2–3 additional resources not already included in the required readings in support of your leadership profile. Write a 3–5-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership plays a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of organizations across various sectors. The influence of effective leadership extends beyond strategic decisions, impacting organizational culture, employee engagement, innovation, and adaptability. In this paper, I select an inspiring leader, Michelle Obama, who exemplifies qualities of transformational leadership and has profoundly influenced many, including myself. I will analyze her leadership characteristics, rate her using a customized leadership scorecard, critique her skills in relation to current leadership practices, and suggest potential areas for growth.

Michelle Obama’s leadership journey, from her early days as a community organizer to her role as the First Lady of the United States, showcases her dedication to service, resilience, and advocacy. Her initiatives, such as Let’s Move! and Reach Higher, highlight her focus on health, education, and youth empowerment. Her authentic commitment to improving society has inspired many, including myself, by demonstrating how leadership rooted in purpose and compassion can foster meaningful change. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences, communicate effectively, and maintain integrity underscores her effectiveness as a leader.

Among the qualities Michelle Obama possesses, empathy, authenticity, resilience, and strategic communication stand out. Her empathy enables her to connect deeply with others, understanding their challenges and aspirations. Her authenticity fosters trust, making her messages resonate genuinely. Resilience is evident in her handling of intense public scrutiny and personal challenges, demonstrating strength and adaptability. Her strategic communication skills effectively mobilize support for her initiatives and champion social causes, exemplifying transformational leadership principles noted in contemporary studies (Northouse, 2018).

To evaluate her leadership comprehensively, I developed a personalized scorecard based on key competencies: visioning, empowering others, strategic thinking, communication, adaptability, and integrity. Using a 1–5 scale (5 being最高), I rated Michelle Obama as follows:

  • Visioning: 5
  • Empowering others: 4
  • Strategic thinking: 4
  • Communication: 5
  • Adaptability: 4
  • Integrity: 5

This holistic assessment reflects her strengths in inspiring a shared vision, communicating effectively, and maintaining ethical standards. However, some areas like empowering others could be further enhanced by involving broader community stakeholders in leadership initiatives, aligning with contemporary leadership models emphasizing shared leadership (Goleman, 2013).

In comparison to current leadership practices discussed in course readings and relevant literature, Michelle Obama consistently demonstrates transformational leadership traits such as idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Bass & Riggio, 2006). Her capacity to adapt to various challenges, including media scrutiny and political transitions, exemplifies resilience and strategic agility—traits essential for today’s leaders facing rapid change and uncertainty (Yukl, 2013).

Nevertheless, leadership is a continuous journey of growth. To enhance her effectiveness, I recommend Michelle Obama embrace more participative leadership approaches, fostering greater stakeholder engagement and shared decision-making. Expanding her influence into organizational contexts beyond political spheres could also amplify her impact and enable her to advocate for systemic change more broadly, consistent with contemporary views on distributed leadership (Spillane, 2006). Furthermore, investing in digital communication skills could leverage emerging social media platforms to inspire and mobilize diverse audiences more effectively (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).

In conclusion, Michelle Obama’s leadership exemplifies many qualities of effective, transformational leadership that aligns with current best practices. Her empathy, authenticity, and strategic vision have inspired millions. Continuous development in participative and digital leadership dimensions will further enhance her influence, ensuring she remains a compelling leader in evolving societal contexts. This profile underscores the significance of holistic assessment and reflective critique in understanding leadership effectiveness and fostering ongoing growth.

References

  • Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership (2nd ed.). Psychology Press.
  • Goleman, D. (2013). The Focused Leader. Harvard Business Review.
  • Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68.
  • Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Spillane, J. P. (2006). Distributed leadership. The Educational Forum, 70(2), 130–137.
  • Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson Education.

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