Leadership Research Essay: Defining My Leadership Philosophy

Leadership Research Essay: Defining My Leadership Philosophy and Theories

For this assignment, I am required to write a leadership research essay that defines my personal leadership philosophy, incorporating course concepts and theories. The essay should be between 5 to 7 pages, formatted in Times New Roman 12-point font with double-spacing. Each page should approximate 350 words, totaling a minimum of 1750 words, excluding the title and references pages. The paper must include an introduction and conclusion, use first person where appropriate, and incorporate at least two additional scholarly sources beyond the textbook and course articles, cited according to APA standards. Quotes should be limited and properly cited.

The essay must address the following questions:

• What leadership model, style, or theory best describes you as a leader? Why? Support your answer with textbook terminology and concepts. (Options include Skills Approach, Situational Approach, Behavioral Approach, Trait Approach, Path-Goal Approach.)
• What are your most distinguishing leadership traits? Which traits do you aim to develop further?
• As a follower, what leadership approach do you prefer from your leaders?
• Which leadership model or theory best describes how you influence others? Provide examples.
• Based on your self-assessment and course learnings, what goals will you set to improve your leadership and motivation? What action plan will you implement? Which leadership theories or models will support these goals?
• What steps do you need to take to achieve each of your self-improvement goals?

The essay must be formatted with a title page including your name, student number, paper title, course number and name, and date. It should include an introductory paragraph that clearly states your purpose and structure. The final paragraph should summarize your main points and reinforce your leadership philosophy. Use proper APA style citations both in-text and in the references list, including at least two scholarly sources beyond the textbook. The paper should be well-organized with clear topic sentences, supporting paragraphs, transitions, and proper grammar. Quotes should be sparing and cited appropriately. Finally, save your essay as LastName_LeadershipResearchEssay_MGMT312.doc or .docx and upload it for grading.

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership is a multifaceted concept that reflects individual traits, behaviors, and situational influences. Over the course of this class, I have come to understand that my leadership style aligns most closely with the Skills Approach, emphasizing the development and application of specific competencies such as communication, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. These skills enable me to adapt to various situations and influence others effectively, embodying a pragmatic and flexible leadership philosophy grounded in continuous growth and learning.

The Skills Approach posits that effective leadership derives from a combination of technical, human, and conceptual skills (Mumford et al., 2000). I see myself as an evolving leader who prioritizes mastering these areas to enhance team performance and foster a positive work environment. For example, I actively seek feedback to improve my communication skills and utilize emotional intelligence to navigate conflicts. These competencies support my belief that leadership is fundamentally a set of skills that can be developed through deliberate practice and ongoing education.

My most distinguishing traits include resilience, empathy, and a proactive attitude. Resilience enables me to withstand setbacks without losing focus on goals, while empathy fosters trust and connection within my team. A proactive approach allows me to anticipate challenges and take initiative to address them. However, I recognize the need to develop additional traits such as decisiveness and confidence, which are vital for swift decision-making and asserting authority in high-pressure situations.

As a follower, I prefer leaders who demonstrate transformational qualities—those who inspire, motivate, and cultivate an environment of trust and innovation. I value transparency, empathy, and the ability to empower others, aligning with the transformational leadership theory. Such leaders foster personal growth and motivate followers beyond transactional exchanges, and I seek to emulate these qualities in my own leadership development.

In terms of influence, I resonate with the Path-Goal Theory, which advocates for leaders adapting their behavior to motivate followers and clarify paths to goal achievement (Evans & House, 1970). For example, I motivate peers by providing clear guidance during complex projects and offering support tailored to their individual needs. This approach aligns with my belief that effective influence depends on understanding followers' motives and adjusting leadership behavior accordingly.

Self-assessment reveals opportunities for growth in strategic thinking and confidence. To enhance these areas, I plan to set specific goals: improving my decision-making skills through leadership workshops and mentorship programs, and increasing my confidence by practicing assertiveness in various settings. My motivation goals involve cultivating intrinsic motivation by setting personal challenges that push my boundaries and seeking feedback to reinforce my progress.

My action plan involves enrolling in targeted leadership development courses, engaging with mentors, and participating in leadership simulations. To implement the transformational leadership model, I will focus on inspiring others through shared vision and empowering team members to take ownership of their roles. Additionally, I will seek opportunities to practice strategic thinking by leading projects that require planning and long-term vision.

Achieving these goals requires deliberate steps: dedicating time to professional development activities, seeking ongoing feedback, and reflecting on my progress regularly. I will also network with experienced leaders to gain insights and guidance. Tracking my improvements and adjusting my strategies accordingly will be essential to my growth as a leader committed to both personal and team success.

References

• Evans, M. G., & House, R. J. (1970). A formal theory of leadership effectiveness. American Journal of Sociology, 75(2), 301-308.
• Mumford, M. D., Zaccaro, S. J., Harding, F. D., Jacobs, T. O., & Fleishman, E. A. (2000). Leadership skills for--and beyond--the 21st century. The Leadership Quarterly, 11(1), 45-78.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
• Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational Behavior (17th ed.). Pearson.
• Goleman, D. (1998). What makes a leader? Harvard Business Review, 76(6), 93-102.
• Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (2017). The Nature of Leadership. Sage Publications.
• Aristotle. (1999). On Rhetoric: A Theory of Civic Discourse. Oxford University Press.
• Anthony, M., & Hunter, L. (2014). Developing leadership skills through experiential learning. Journal of Leadership Education, 13(2), 45-59.