Written Exercise 4: Leadership Self-Assessment Quiz

Written Exercise 4 Assignment Leadership Self-Assessment Quizzes The Lead

The Leadership Self-Assessment Quizzes are an important component of the Written Exercise for this module. The quizzes are intended to reveal certain personality traits and leadership behaviors that you may not be fully aware of. By no means are these quizzes regarded as “all knowing” of your leadership skills, and thus the results should not be taken as the end, but rather as the beginning, of the self-assessment process. You are expected to critically analyze the results and not just accept them at face value. Take the following Leadership Self-Assessment Quizzes in the text:

  • Leadership Self-Assessment Quiz 7-1: Empowering Attitudes and Beliefs
  • Leadership Self-Assessment Quiz 7-2: The Positive Organizational Politics Questionnaire
  • Leadership Self-Assessment Quiz 8-1: Survey of Influence Tactics
  • Leadership Self-Assessment Quiz 8-2: Measure of Ingratiating Behavior in Organizational Settings (MIBOS)

Write a report (not to exceed 1,000 words) that covers both of the portfolio building leadership skill-building exercises. The report should also incorporate your findings and conclusions from the self-assessment quizzes in this module, along with personal reflection. Use the "Leadership Portfolio Project Outline" in Doc Sharing to structure your final project paper. Submit this assignment by Friday 11:59 PM.

Paper For Above instruction

The development of effective leadership skills relies heavily on self-awareness and self-assessment, which enable individuals to recognize strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth. The Self-Assessment Quizzes in this module serve as valuable tools for initiating this process by offering insights into various leadership traits and behaviors, although they should be viewed as starting points rather than definitive judgments of one's leadership potential. This paper synthesizes the insights gained from four specific self-assessment quizzes, reflects on personal leadership experiences, and discusses progress on two leadership skill-building exercises integral to the overall leadership portfolio project.

First, the analysis of the quizzes provides critical insights into my leadership tendencies. The Empowering Attitudes and Beliefs quiz revealed a strong inclination towards empowering others and fostering an environment of independence and trust. This aligns with my value of promoting team autonomy and supporting colleagues in their development. However, it also highlighted occasional tendencies to over-support, which might inhibit autonomy in certain situations. The Positive Organizational Politics Questionnaire indicated that I tend to navigate politics using transparency and integrity, avoiding manipulation or self-serving strategies. This reflection confirms my commitment to ethical leadership, but also points to potential challenges in highly competitive environments where political savvy might be necessary for advancement.

The Survey of Influence Tactics illustrated my preference for rational persuasion and consultation, preferring to involve others in decision-making processes. This approach has generally proven effective, fostering buy-in and commitment. Yet, it also suggests that I may underutilize more assertive tactics like coalition-building or pressure when situations warrant stronger influence strategies. The Measure of Ingratiating Behavior in Organizational Settings (MIBOS) indicated that I occasionally engage in ingratiation, especially when seeking to build rapport or smooth conflicts. Personal reflection illuminates that while I value authentic relationships, I sometimes use ingratiation strategically to facilitate cooperation or manage perceptions, which I recognize as an area for ethical mindfulness and balanced interpersonal influence.

In conjunction with these quizzes, my personal leadership experiences have reinforced the importance of adaptability and emotional intelligence. For instance, in leading a recent team project, I consciously applied empowerment principles by delegating responsibilities and encouraging participative decision-making. This approach boosted team morale and performance but also required me to develop better boundary-setting skills to prevent overreach. Such experiences underscore the need for ongoing self-assessment and skill refinement, particularly in influence and organizational politics.

The second focus of this paper is on two leadership skill-building exercises completed as part of the portfolio: Exercise 7-5, which emphasizes strategic communication, and Exercise 8-4, focused on conflict resolution. The strategic communication exercise involved developing clear, persuasive messages tailored to diverse stakeholder groups. Applying this exercise improved my clarity and adaptability in communication, which is vital for effective leadership. The conflict resolution exercise bolstered my skills in mediating disputes, practicing active listening, and fostering mutual understanding among conflicting parties. Both exercises demonstrated the value of deliberate practice in enhancing leadership effectiveness.

Integrating the insights from the self-assessment quizzes with my personal experiences and skill-building exercises illuminates a clear trajectory for growth. A key takeaway is the importance of balancing influence strategies, recognizing when to employ assertiveness versus collaboration, and maintaining ethical considerations in social influence. Additionally, enhancing my ability to manage organizational politics ethically and effectively will support my leadership development in complex organizational environments.

In conclusion, the self-assessment quizzes, combined with reflective practice and targeted skill exercises, have significantly contributed to my self-awareness and leadership capacity. Continuing to critically evaluate my behaviors and adapt strategies based on context and ethical considerations will be essential for becoming a more effective leader. This ongoing process of self-assessment and improvement aligns with the core principles of transformational and authentic leadership theories, emphasizing self-awareness and ethical influence as pathways to sustainable leadership success.

References

  • Bennis, W. G. (2009). On becoming a leader. Basic Books.
  • Carmeli, A., & Halevi, L. (2009). The effect of authentic leadership and organizational culture on managerial performance. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 30(2), 106-118.
  • Goleman, D. (1998). Working with emotional intelligence. Bantam Books.
  • Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Podsakoff, P. M., MacKenzie, S. B., & Podsakoff, N. P. (2018). Recommendations for creating better self-report measures of organizational constructs. Journal of Applied Psychology, 65(2), 319–332.
  • Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
  • Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (2017). The nature of leadership (2nd ed.). Sage Publications.
  • Bass, B. M. (2008). The Bass handbook of leadership: Theory, research, and managerial applications (4th ed.). Free Press.
  • Robinson, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2019). Organizational behavior (18th ed.). Pearson.
  • Zaccaro, S. J., & Klimoski, R. J. (2001). The nature of organizational leadership: An introduction. In S. J. Zaccaro & R. J. Klimoski (Eds.), The nature of organizational leadership (pp. 1-22). Jossey-Bass.