Based On Your Experiences, Readings, And Work Experience ✓ Solved

Based on your experiences, current readings, work experience

Based on your experiences, current readings, work experience, education, and use of self-assessment instruments, describe what you think your personal leadership styles are. Develop an understanding of your leadership style(s), giving examples of when you have applied your leadership style(s) and how these styles will help you achieve your goals. Evaluate yourself relative to emotional intelligence (Goleman article) and explain how you will expand your emotional intelligence. Discuss potential shortcomings of your leadership styles and how you will improve your leadership. Write an essay that includes an introduction paragraph, the essay’s body, and a conclusion paragraph to address the assignment’s guiding questions. The essay should be 3 pages in length, excluding the title and reference pages, and adhere to academic writing standards and APA style guidelines. Support your submission with course material concepts, principles, and theories from the textbook and at least two scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles. Ensure that your work is 100% free of plagiarism.

Paper For Above Instructions

Understanding My Personal Leadership Styles

Leadership is an essential skill that influences various aspects of personal and professional life. It is not merely about holding a title or position; it requires a blend of personal qualities, experience, and knowledge. Through reflection on personal experiences, education, current readings, and self-assessment instruments, I have come to identify my primary leadership styles, which are transformational and situational leadership. This essay will explore these leadership styles, illustrate their application, evaluate my emotional intelligence, and address potential shortcomings and areas for improvement in my leadership approach.

Transformational Leadership

Transformational leadership is characterized by a leader's ability to inspire and motivate followers to exceed their own self-interests for the sake of the organization (Bass & Riggio, 2006). I exhibit this style mainly in collaborative environments where creativity and innovation are valued. For instance, during a recent project aimed at improving team performance in my workplace, I organized brainstorming sessions that encouraged team members to air their ideas and concerns openly. By fostering an inclusive atmosphere and empowering team members to contribute their unique perspectives, we developed a robust strategy that significantly enhanced our team's productivity and morale.

Transformational leadership aligns well with my professional goals of fostering a collaborative workplace culture and achieving collective success. By encouraging my team to embrace shared visions and work towards common objectives, I believe that we can achieve remarkable results. The positive feedback and increased motivation shown by team members indicate that this leadership style resonates well with them, helping us achieve greater flexibility and creativity in problem-solving.

Situational Leadership

Situational leadership, developed by Hersey and Blanchard (1982), posits that no single leadership style is the best. Instead, effective leaders adapt their approach based on the task at hand and the team's readiness. I have effectively utilized situational leadership in various scenarios where team members had differing levels of competence and commitment. For example, while leading a volunteer group for a community event, I tailored my leadership approach depending on each member’s experience and motivation. For less experienced members, I provided clear guidance and structure, while for more experienced volunteers, I fostered autonomy and encouraged them to take on leadership roles themselves. This adaptive approach facilitated a cohesive working environment that respected individual capabilities.

Using situational leadership allows me to be agile in my approach, ensuring that I can motivate and guide team members effectively in various contexts. It aids in achieving my goal of developing well-rounded teams that can tackle diverse challenges and adapt to changes effortlessly.

Evaluating My Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is critical for effective leadership and personal well-being. According to Goleman (1995), EI comprises five key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. My self-assessment indicates that I possess moderate levels of EI, with strengths in empathy and social skills, which enable me to navigate interpersonal relationships effectively. These competencies allow me to connect with team members on a personal level, fostering an environment of trust and collaboration.

However, there are areas where I need improvement, particularly in self-regulation, especially under stress. To enhance my emotional intelligence, I plan to engage in mindfulness practices and reflective exercises to develop greater self-awareness and emotional management. Additionally, enrolling in workshops focused on emotional intelligence will provide me with the tools needed to expand my skills in these areas.

Addressing Shortcomings in My Leadership Styles

Despite the strengths of my transformational and situational leadership styles, they are not without shortcomings. Transformational leaders may sometimes overlook operational details by focusing too much on vision and inspiration, potentially leading to disengagement among employees who prefer structured guidance. Conversely, situational leadership may create inconsistency in approach, leading to confusion among team members regarding project direction, especially if team readiness fluctuates.

To address these shortcomings, I will implement a balanced approach to leadership. This includes setting clear expectations and goals while ensuring all team members are engaged and informed. Providing consistent feedback and maintaining open communication channels will also help mitigate confusion and maintain alignment with organizational objectives. Additionally, continuing my education through relevant leadership courses will positively impact my ability to navigate these challenges.

In conclusion, recognizing and understanding my personal leadership styles is fundamental to my growth and success as a leader. By identifying my strengths in transformational and situational leadership and evaluating my emotional intelligence, I can leverage these attributes to achieve my professional goals. Simultaneously, by acknowledging areas for growth and implementing strategies to improve, I can enhance my effectiveness as a leader. Ultimately, continuous development in leadership will enable me to inspire and guide my teams more effectively, fostering an environment where we can thrive together.

References

• Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership. 2nd ed. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York: Bantam Books.
• Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1982). Management of Organizational Behavior: Utilizing Human Resources. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Kirkpatrick, S. A., & Locke, E. A. (1996). Direct and indirect effects of three core charisma traits on performance and attitudes. Leadership Quarterly, 7(1), 49-83.
• Bar-On, R. (1997). Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i): Technical manual. Multi-Health Systems.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice. 8th ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
• Zaccaro, S. J. (2007). Trait-based perspectives of leadership. American Psychologist, 62(1), 6-16.
• Goleman, D. (2001). An EI-based theory of performance. In The Emotionally Intelligent Workplace (pp. 27-44). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
• Cherniss, C., & Goleman, D. (2001). The emotionally intelligent workplace: How to select for, measure, and improve emotional intelligence in individuals, groups, and organizations. Jossey-Bass.
• Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2017). Organizational Behavior. 17th ed. Boston: Pearson.