Leader Profile: Many Argue That The Single Largest Va 763819

Leader Profilemany Argue That The Single Largest Variable In Organizat

Many argue that the single largest variable in organizational success is leadership. Effective leadership can transform an organization and create a positive environment for all stakeholders. In this assignment, you will have the chance to evaluate a leader and identify what makes him/her effective. Consider all the leaders who have affected your life in some way. Think of people with whom you work—community leaders, a family member, or anyone who has had a direct impact on you.

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 determining the success or failure of organizations. Effective leaders inspire, motivate, and guide their teams toward achieving strategic goals while fostering a positive organizational culture. For this paper, I have selected Nelson Mandela as an exemplary leader whose qualities and leadership style left a profound influence on me and exemplify effective leadership.

Personal Influence and Effectiveness

Nelson Mandela's leadership profoundly influenced my understanding of resilience, forgiveness, and visionary leadership. His unwavering commitment to ending apartheid in South Africa, despite enormous personal and political challenges, demonstrated immense resilience. Mandela's capacity to forgive his oppressors and promote reconciliation instead of revenge taught me the importance of humility and moral integrity in leadership. His ability to articulate a compelling vision for racial equality and social justice inspired me to value perseverance and courage in facing adversity.

Leadership Characteristics and Qualities

Mandela possessed several key leadership qualities that contributed to his effectiveness. His qualities include integrity, empathy, humility, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to justice. His integrity was evident in his consistent adherence to his moral principles, even when it was politically costly. His empathy fostered trust and unity among diverse groups. His humility allowed him to listen and incorporate others' perspectives, essential for collective efforts. Mandela’s strategic vision persisted despite setbacks, emphasizing the importance of patience and long-term thinking. These qualities resonate deeply with contemporary leadership theories emphasizing ethical and transformational leadership.

Leadership Scorecard and Rating

Using a self-developed leadership scorecard based on transformational leadership components—visioning, empowering others, communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability—I rated Mandela highly across these competencies. On a scale of 1–5, with 5 being the highest:

• Visioning: 5
• Empowering: 4.5
• Communication: 4.5
• Strategic Thinking: 4.5
• Adaptability: 5

Mandela exemplified visionary leadership through his unwavering commitment to racial equality and social justice. He empowered others by fostering reconciliation and inclusivity within South Africa. His communication skills were pivotal in uniting diverse groups and gaining international support. Mandela demonstrated exceptional strategic thinking in balancing activism with negotiations, leading to a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. His adaptability was evident in his ability to navigate complex political landscapes and personal sacrifices.

Critique and Reflection

While Mandela’s leadership aligns well with transformational principles, some critiques suggest that his emphasis on reconciliation may have delayed addressing deeper systemic inequalities, which could be viewed as a limitation. Additionally, his approach might be enhanced by incorporating more aggressive policies targeting economic disparities. However, his leadership style is largely consistent with current best practices outlined in recent leadership literature, emphasizing authenticity, ethical behavior, and emotional intelligence (Northouse, 2018).

In terms of adapting to today’s leadership challenges, Mandela’s emphasis on inclusivity and moral steadfastness remains relevant. Today's leaders face rapid technological changes, global interconnectedness, and complex social issues. Mandela’s example demonstrates the importance of resilience, moral clarity, and strategic patience in navigating such challenges.

If I could recommend changes to Mandela’s leadership approach, I would suggest integrating more proactive measures for economic empowerment and social equity alongside reconciliation efforts. This holistic approach would address structural inequalities more directly, contributing to sustainable societal progress.

In conclusion, Nelson Mandela’s leadership embodies many qualities associated with effective and transformational leadership. His moral integrity, resilience, and visionary outlook have left a lasting legacy, offering valuable lessons for current and future leaders. Analyzing his leadership through various frameworks reinforces the importance of authentic, ethical, and compassionate leadership in achieving organizational and societal success.

References

• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Mandela, N. (1994). Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela. Little, Brown and Company.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and Performance Beyond Expectations. Free Press.
• Kruse, K. (2015). Leadership and Society: Leadership's Role in Society. Routledge.
• Goleman, D. (1998). Working with Emotional Intelligence. Bantam Books.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Hersey, P., Blanchard, K. H., & Johnson, D. E. (2013). Management of Organizational Behavior: Utilizing Human Resources (10th ed.). Pearson.
• Hood, C. (2019). Leadership Challenges in the 21st Century. Harvard Business Review, 97(2), 102-110.
• Gavin, J. (2020). Ethical Leadership in the Modern Age. Journal of Leadership Studies, 14(3), 45-52.