Personal Leadership Philosophies: Develop And Submit 265470
Personal Leadership Philosophies Develop and submit a personal leadership philosophy that reflects what you think are characteristics of a good leader
Many of us can think of leaders we have come to admire, be they historical figures, pillars of the industry we work in, or leaders we know personally. The leadership of individuals such as Abraham Lincoln and Margaret Thatcher has been studied and discussed repeatedly. However, you may have interacted with leaders you feel demonstrated equally competent leadership without ever having a book written about their approaches. What makes great leaders great? Every leader is different, of course, but one area of commonality is the leadership philosophy that great leaders develop and practice.
A leadership philosophy is basically an attitude held by leaders that acts as a guiding principle for their behavior. While formal theories on leadership continue to evolve over time, great leaders seem to adhere to an overarching philosophy that steers their actions. What is your leadership philosophy? In this Assignment, you will explore what guides your own leadership.
To Prepare: Identify two to three scholarly resources, in addition to this Module’s readings, that evaluate the impact of leadership behaviors in creating healthy work environments. Reflect on the leadership behaviors presented in the three resources that you selected for review. Reflect on your results of the CliftonStrengths Assessment, and consider how the results relate to your leadership traits.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Leadership is a complex interplay of values, behaviors, and personal attributes that collectively define how individuals influence others towards achieving common goals. Developing a personal leadership philosophy enables leaders to clarify their core principles, guide their actions, and foster environments conducive to growth and collaboration. This essay articulates my leadership philosophy by examining my core values, mission and vision statements, insights from my CliftonStrengths assessment, and strategies for strengthening key behaviors to realize my personal leadership aspirations.
Core Values
My leadership philosophy is rooted in core values of integrity, empathy, growth, accountability, and respect. Integrity ensures honesty and consistency in my actions, establishing trust within my team. Empathy allows me to understand and connect with others’ perspectives, fostering a supportive environment. A commitment to growth motivates continuous learning and adaptation, both personally and collectively. Accountability emphasizes responsibility for outcomes, encouraging a culture of reliability and excellence. Respect underpins my interactions, promoting dignity and fairness in all relationships. These values shape my behavior and decision-making, creating a foundation for ethical and effective leadership.
Personal Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement: To inspire and empower others by leading with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to excellence, fostering an environment where potential is realized and contributions are valued.
Vision Statement: To be a transformative leader recognized for cultivating a collaborative and innovative workplace where every individual thrives and organizational goals are achieved through shared purpose and continuous improvement.
CliftonStrengths Assessment Analysis
The CliftonStrengths assessment identified my top strengths as Learner, Empathizer, Strategic, Relator, and Achiever. The Learner trait reflects a passion for acquiring knowledge, which supports ongoing development and adaptability in leadership. Empathizer highlights my capacity to connect emotionally with team members, facilitating trust and open communication. The Strategic strength enables me to foresee potential obstacles and devise effective plans, essential for goal-oriented leadership. Relator emphasizes my ability to build deep, genuine relationships, fostering loyalty and teamwork. Finally, Achiever demonstrates my drive for accomplishing objectives and maintaining high standards. These strengths collectively inform my leadership style, emphasizing continuous growth, emotional intelligence, strategic planning, interpersonal connection, and goal-driven execution.
Two Key Behaviors to Strengthen
Despite these strengths, I recognize the need to enhance two behaviors:
1. Delegation — I tend to take on too many tasks myself, which can hinder team development and result in burnout.
2. Constructive Feedback — I sometimes avoid giving candid feedback, fearing it may damage relationships, which can impede performance improvement.
Development Plan
To improve my delegation skills, I plan to implement structured delegation strategies by clearly defining responsibilities, empowering team members, and trusting their abilities. Regular check-ins will ensure accountability while providing support. For example, I will set specific goals and timelines when assigning tasks, and offer resources or coaching as needed.
To enhance my ability to give constructive feedback, I will adopt a feedback framework such as the SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) model, ensuring comments are specific, objective, and focused on behaviors rather than personalities. I will practice delivering feedback in a respectful and supportive manner, possibly through role-play exercises and seeking peer feedback.
These improvements will support my vision of fostering a collaborative environment by promoting autonomy and continuous improvement.
Achieving Personal Vision
By consistently aligning my actions with my core values and mission, and by actively developing key leadership behaviors, I intend to cultivate a culture of trust, innovation, and resilience. Setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound—is critical for monitoring progress. Regular self-reflection and soliciting feedback from colleagues will help me stay aligned with my leadership philosophy. Attending leadership development workshops and engaging in mentorship relationships will further support my growth. Ultimately, my goal is to foster a workplace where individuals are motivated, engaged, and empowered to contribute their best.
Conclusion
A well-defined personal leadership philosophy provides clarity and direction in navigating complex organizational dynamics. Grounded in core values, supported by strengths insights, and focused on continuous development, my leadership approach aims to inspire others and achieve sustainable success. By intentionally strengthening key behaviors such as delegation and feedback, I can better realize my vision of transforming my work environment into a space of growth, innovation, and shared achievement.
References
1. Avolio, B. J., & Walumbwa, F. O. (2014). Authentic Leadership: Moving HR and Organization Development Forward. Human Resource Management, 53(3), 321–336.
2. Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
3. Clifton, D., & Anderson, E. (2018). StrengthsFinder 2.0. Gallup Press.
4. Goleman, D. (2013). The Focused Leader: How Emotional Intelligence Influences Effective Leadership. Harvard Business Review.
5. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
6. Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational Culture and Leadership. Jossey-Bass.
7. Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in Organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
8. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI): Facilitator’s Guide. Jossey-Bass.
9. Bass, B. M., & Bass, R. (2008). The Bass Handbook of Leadership: Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications. Free Press.
10. Lencioni, P. (2002). The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable. Jossey-Bass.