Write Your Leadership Autobiography And Reflection

Write A Your Leadership Autobiography In Which You Refle

Write a “your leadership autobiography” in which you reflect on your past and present leadership experiences. Add the following utilizing the Six Bases of Power (French & Raven, 1962). Use Northouse for anything else you include in your paper that you obtained from textbook. Incorporate the following questions into your narrative using the Six Bases of Power : What people have had a significant impact on you? What leadership traits do they possess? And how has this impacted your leadership style? What skills have they developed and how? And how has this impacted your leadership style? What are their growth areas? And how has this helped you grow?

Paper For Above instruction

Leadership is an evolving journey shaped significantly by influential individuals and personal experiences. Reflecting on my leadership journey, I recognize the profound impact of mentors and role models whose leadership traits and behaviors have influenced my development. These individuals exemplify various bases of power as identified by French and Raven (1962), which comprise legitimate, reward, coercive, expert, referent, and informational power. Understanding how these bases of power operate within my leadership experiences provides insights into my style and areas for growth.

One highly influential figure in my leadership development is my former supervisor, who demonstrated legitimate and expert power. Her legitimate power stemmed from her formal role within the organization, which granted her authority over team members. Her expert power was derived from her extensive knowledge and competence in project management. Observing her, I learned the importance of credibility and authority grounded in expertise and position. Her leadership traits included confidence, decisiveness, and integrity. These traits fostered trust and respect from the team, which in turn inspired me to develop a leadership style based on authority balanced with authenticity.

Another key influence was a peer leader who primarily exhibited referent and informational power. His charismatic personality and ability to communicate effectively fostered admiration and loyalty among team members. His referent power—built through personal appeal and empathy—made him an example to emulate. He was skilled in active listening and providing constructive feedback, which enhanced his informational power. Through observing him, I developed interpersonal skills such as empathy, active listening, and effective communication, crucial components in my current leadership approach. His growth areas, including developing strategic planning skills, prompted me to recognize the importance of balancing relational skills with organizational acumen.

The significant impact of these individuals on my leadership style highlights the importance of diverse sources of power. From my supervisor, I learned the value of legitimate and expert power, which foster clarity of authority and trust. From my peer, I saw how referent and informational power could cultivate loyalty and engagement. These experiences propelled me to adopt a leadership style that emphasizes credibility, ethical influence, and interpersonal relationships, aligning with Northouse's (2021) discussion of transformational leadership. I strive to inspire others by modeling integrity and competence, while also fostering a supportive environment.

In addition to these influences, I recognize my ongoing growth areas, such as developing coercive and reward power ethically. Understanding the responsible use of power is essential in maintaining trust and avoiding manipulation. As I continue to develop my leadership skills, I am actively working on enhancing my strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, which are vital for navigating complex organizational dynamics. My growth areas also include learning to delegate effectively and empowering team members, which will expand my capacity to lead collaboratively.

Overall, the individuals who have impacted my leadership journey have contributed to shaping my style—it is characterized by authenticity, ethical influence, and relational skills. Their strengths and growth areas serve as benchmarks for my continuous development. By understanding and applying the Six Bases of Power, I aim to build a leadership approach that is both effective and ethical, fostering positive change within my teams and organization.

References

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