Leadership Philosophy Paper In Leadership Capstone

Leadership Philosophy Paperas The Ba In Leadership Capstone Course Th

Leadership Philosophy Paperas The Ba In Leadership Capstone Course Th

As the BA in Leadership capstone course, the central activity is to articulate your synthesis of learning about leadership and yourself as a leader in the form of a personal philosophy of leadership paper. This paper is a theory that serves to explain and guide how you act, a set of beliefs/principles that ground you in how you will lead, and a set of commitments that drive your actions as a leader. Using course readings, material from forum discussions, and thoughts/ideas/concepts from your previous courses, reflect on the following questions:

1. Who are you? Describe your personality and the life scripts that shape your habits—your uniqueness as a human being. Specifically, tell your life story in terms of how you have prepared to take responsibility of leading yourself (Phase I) and any experiences you had leading others (Phase II). Also, use insights from your Birkman report to describe the general patterns of your personality.
2. What do you believe? Describe your core beliefs (that is, your worldview), using some of Sire’s eight basic worldview questions to describe your perspective on the world. What are your core values as a person and as a leader? How does your worldview shape your view of leadership? In answering the last question be sure to clearly define what is your understanding of leadership.
3. How will you lead yourself and others? How will you live out what you believe about yourself and the world as a leader? What is your plan to grow your leadership competence and character?

Each question will form one of three parts, and should be about 3-4 pages. At the end of Week Four you will submit Question 1. At the end of Week Eight you will submit Questions 1 & 2 (as one document). At the end of Week Twelve you will submit Questions 1, 2 & 3 (as one document). See course outline for specific due dates. Total length for the final paper is 9-12 pages, not including the title page and reference page.

APA format is required. Papers will not be marked on the students’ beliefs but on how well their learnings, leadership philosophy and worldviews are articulated.

Required Texts & Materials: George, B. (2015). Discover your true north. Wiley.

Sire, J. W. (2020). The universe next door: A basic worldview catalog. InterVarsity Press.

Suggested Reading: Brown B. (2018). Dare to lead: Brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. Random House.

Paper For Above instruction

Developing a comprehensive leadership philosophy necessitates introspection and integration of personal learnings, values, and future commitments. This paper aims to capture my evolving understanding of leadership by addressing three core questions: the self, core beliefs, and leadership application. Drawing upon course materials, such as Bob George’s Discover Your True North (George, 2015), my personal experiences, and insights from the Sire worldview framework (Sire, 2020), I will articulate my unique leadership philosophy that guides my actions now and in the future.

Who Am I? Understanding My Personal Narrative and Personality

My journey as a leader begins with a deep understanding of myself. I consider my personality, shaped by innate traits and life scripts accumulated through diverse experiences, as central to my leadership identity. According to the Birkman report, I tend to exhibit patterns of conscientiousness, optimism, and a desire for structured environments. These traits influence my approach to leadership by fostering reliability, a positive outlook, and goal-oriented behaviors.

Growing up, I was always encouraged to take responsibility for my actions, leading me to develop a strong sense of accountability early on. My life script includes experiences of leading small teams in academic projects, which provided foundational lessons in collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution. These phases—self-leadership (Phase I) and leading others (Phase II)—have prepared me to harness my strengths and address my weaknesses in pursuit of effective leadership. Moreover, I recognize that my personality influences how I motivate others, often emphasizing clarity, consistency, and integrity in my interactions.

What Do I Believe? Core Worldview and Values

My worldview is primarily shaped by a Christian spiritual perspective, informed by the biblical narrative of purpose, community, and service. Using Sire’s eight worldview questions, I see the world as created by a loving God, inherently designed for goodness but fallen into chaos and brokenness due to human sin. This worldview emphasizes hope, redemption, and the interconnectedness of all human beings (Sire, 2020). It profoundly influences my core values—integrity, compassion, humility, and perseverance—each rooted in my understanding of divine purpose and service.

Leadership, from my perspective, is about creating environments where others are empowered and guided toward their full potential in line with higher purpose. I perceive leadership as a servanthood modeled after Christ, emphasizing sacrificial love, ethical integrity, and servant-first principles. This understanding challenges me to align my actions with my beliefs, recognizing that authentic influence stems from character and conviction, not merely positional authority.

How Will I Lead Myself and Others? Practical Application and Growth

Living out my leadership philosophy involves intentional self-development and strategic action. To lead myself effectively, I commit to ongoing reflection, seeking feedback, and cultivating virtues such as patience, resilience, and wisdom. I plan to grow my leadership competence through continuous learning—reading scholarly and practical works, attending workshops, and engaging in mentoring relationships (Brown, 2018). Personal growth will also involve developing emotional intelligence, which is essential for authentic leadership and building trust with others (Goleman, 2013).

Leading others requires creating a culture of trust, shared vision, and accountability. I intend to foster collaborative environments where diversity of thought is valued, and ethical standards are prioritized. As a leader, I will model humility, active listening, and vulnerability, recognizing that effective influence is rooted in genuine relationships. I aim to develop my capacity for strategic thinking, conflict management, and motivational leadership to inspire teams toward common goals.

Furthermore, my leadership journey will involve defining measurable goals for personal and team development, aligned with my core values and worldview. I will pursue opportunities for leadership roles that challenge me, promote servant leadership principles, and allow me to serve communities meaningfully. By integrating my beliefs, personality insights, and learned skills, I will seek to cultivate integrity, influence, and resilience in both myself and those I lead.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my leadership philosophy is a dynamic synthesis of personal history, core beliefs, and future aspirations. By understanding who I am, what I believe, and how I will act, I aim to lead with authenticity, integrity, and purpose. Rooted in my worldview and strengthened through continuous growth, I hope to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and contribute to communities that reflect the values I hold dear. As I progress in my leadership journey, I am committed to living out this philosophy daily, adapting and evolving as I learn more about myself and the needs around me.

References

• George, B. (2015). Discover your true north. Wiley.
• Sire, J. W. (2020). The universe next door: A basic worldview catalog. InterVarsity Press.
• Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: Brave work, tough conversations, whole hearts. Random House.
• Goleman, D. (2013). Emotional intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ. Bantam Publishing.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage.
• Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations. Wiley.
• Sinek, S. (2009). Start with why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. Portfolio/Penguin.
• Goffee, R., & Jones, G. (2006). Managing authenticity: The paradox of great leadership. Harvard Business Review, 84(12), 127-137.
• Lencioni, P. (2002). The five dysfunctions of a team: A leadership fable. Jossey-Bass.
• Clifton, D. O., & Harter, J. K. (2003). Investing in strengths. Positive organizational scholarship, 111-121.