Open Up Your Web Browser And Search The Web For Leadership
Openup Your Web Browser Andsearch The Webfor A Leadership Style Asses
Open up your web browser and search the web for a "Leadership Style Assessment". Select an assessment of your choice and complete it. Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that addresses the following: 1. Based on your reading, whom do you see as having a successful leadership style? 2. Why do you consider him or her a successful leader? 3. What management and leadership theories does this person use? 4. Provide an example of a historical figure or someone you know as a successful leader. 5. Review the results of your assessment. How does your leadership style compare to the successful leader you identified? 6. What traits does the successful leader have that you need to develop? What strengths do you have from which your example leader could benefit? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. Include at least two references that are cited within the paper.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Leadership is a vital element in organizational success, shaping how leaders motivate, influence, and guide their teams towards achieving common goals. Selecting an effective leadership style and understanding its application can greatly impact both individual and organizational outcomes. This paper explores a personal leadership assessment, analyses a successful leader, compares personal leadership traits with those of the leader, and discusses traits to develop further.
Identifying a Successful Leader
After completing a leadership style assessment, such as the authoritative or transformational leadership assessment, I identified Martin Luther King Jr. as a remarkable example of successful leadership. King’s leadership was characterized by his unwavering commitment to nonviolent protest and civil rights, inspiring millions to challenge injustice and inequality. His ability to mobilize individuals around a common moral purpose exemplifies a transformational leadership style that emphasizes vision, inspiration, and moral integrity (Bass & Riggio, 2006).
Why Martin Luther King Jr. Is a Successful Leader
Martin Luther King Jr. is considered successful because of his profound impact on social justice and the civil rights movement. His leadership was rooted in a compelling vision of equality and justice, which he communicated persuasively to the masses. His perseverance in the face of opposition and his strategic use of nonviolent resistance exemplify effective leadership traits. King’s success is also evidenced by tangible legislative changes, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which resulted from his activism and leadership (Branch, 1988).
Management and Leadership Theories Applied by King
King predominantly employed transformational leadership theories, emphasizing inspiration, motivation, and moral influence. According to Burns (1978), transformational leaders elevate followers' interests and foster a sense of shared purpose. King’s charismatic authority and moral convictions exemplify this approach. Additionally, he demonstrated elements of servant leadership, prioritizing the needs of others and serving as a moral guide, aligning with Greenleaf’s (1977) principles of leadership that serve the community first.
Comparison with Personal Leadership Style
The assessment results indicate that my leadership style aligns most closely with participative or democratic leadership, emphasizing collaboration and inclusion. Comparing this with King’s transformational style reveals both similarities and differences. While both styles value motivation and shared vision, King’s approach employed a higher degree of moral persuasion and charismatic influence. My leadership traits—such as patience and openness to others’ ideas—resonate with King’s emphasis on moral integrity and community service, though I need to develop greater confidence in inspiring others through charisma.
Traits to Develop and Strengths to Leverage
To emulate King’s leadership effectively, I need to develop traits such as confidence in public speaking and charismatic influence to motivate larger groups. Growing in this area will enable a more compelling articulation of vision, similar to King’s ability to inspire masses. Conversely, my strengths, such as active listening and fostering collaboration, can benefit leaders like King by facilitating inclusive decision-making and strengthening team cohesion. These traits can support a leadership style that balances moral conviction with interpersonal skills.
Conclusion
Leadership assessments offer valuable insights into personal strengths and areas for growth. Studying leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. provides models for effective leadership grounded in moral purpose, inspiration, and community service. While my leadership style shares some similarities with transformational leadership, developing specific traits could enhance my ability to motivate and influence others significantly. Continuous self-improvement, informed by exemplary leaders, can help shape a more effective and impactful leadership approach.
References
- Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational leadership (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
- Branch, T. (1988). Parting the waters: America in the King years. Simon & Schuster.
- Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
- Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
- King, M. L. Jr. (1963). I have a dream speech. The Martin Luther King Jr. Research and Education Institute. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/i-have-dream-speech
- Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
- Yukl, G. (2012). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
- Sterling, J. (2000). The leadership challenge: How to make a difference in your organization. Jossey-Bass.
- Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (2018). The nature of leadership (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
- Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review, 78(2), 78-90.