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Leadership
Leadership is the ability to influence the opinion and actions of another to follow a certain way, instead of their own. In any setting, leadership is not synonymous with seniority, and anybody can be a leader in his or her own capacity (Graen et al 67). Leadership does not necessarily mean authority. People in authority are referred to as managers. A good manager instills fear while a good leader enhances trust among his followers. This piece of writing is a reaction essay on what I have learned in this leadership class. It compares my view regarding leadership, before and after taking this class.
To me, leadership means being responsible for your actions and those of others (Graen et al 48). It does not technically mean to take the bullet for your colleagues, but I attach some sort of responsibility on leadership. Since they are in a position to influence decisions and actions, they should be ready for the outcome of their influence. However, leaders should not be blamed for every individual wrongdoing of their team members. Some individuals act against the wish of their leader on their own volition.
Before taking this course, my definition of a leader was somebody in a position of power and influence (Martin 287). In an organization, they are the individuals who are the closest to the administration. Their main function is to oversee the smooth running of the workplace and tell on their colleagues- especially those they dislike. I also used to think that leaders are born. As my knowledge in the course broadened, I realized how wrong I was. Leadership is a learning experience.
As Martin (278) writes, no set of characteristics can define an ideal leader. However, possession of many of these characteristics can make one a better leader. My best leadership attributes is honesty. I always outline issues in black and white without hiding anything. I have the ability to stay committed to a course for longer than many. I also have a positive attitude towards working with others. Despite not being so talkative, I have an innate ability to inspire others when given the chance. I always try to maintain an aura of confidence even in the most intimidating situations.
Being human, I too have some flaws that ensnare my potential to be a good leader. I need to work on my communication skills (Martin 258). More often than not, I never talk about common issues. As it turns out, common sense is not common to all. I am trying to stop the habit of imagining everybody knows the right thing to do. I also have trust issues, especially when it comes to dealing with new people. It takes longer than average before I can have faith in the abilities of my teammates. This misgiving may deter my ability to delegate when I am in a leadership position. I need to work on this issue too.
I plan to apply the knowledge gained in this course in all aspects of my life. Leadership is applicable everywhere (Boswell 39). If I find teenagers bullying a small kid on the train, I will stand up for the kid- that is leadership. In my future job, I will need to exhibit leadership skills, especially when appointed to lead a team. If I ever get married, I will need to display leadership abilities. My kids will need a role model. I will use the knowledge acquired in this course to instill morals and leadership skills in them.
I feel that I have demonstrated growth in my social skills. I do not feel awkward when talking to people whom I barely know. I have improved my ability to inspire others. I always talk with young people in the neighborhood to motivate them to steer clear of trouble. Before the class, I barely gave them a second look. I feel that I need to learn more about accountability and leadership responsibility.
People tend to avoid being in charge because it comes with great responsibility (Martin 234). Many people look up to those in charge and any misdoing is blamed on them. Some people are generally shy and the last thing they want is the attention that leadership attracts. More often than not, there is no monetary motivation for being in charge. People who are after the money may not find the position lucrative.
When one asks for more responsibility, they gain experience (Grael et al 254). They also become tough and mentally prepared. More responsibility means more opportunities and more risks. When a person learns to balance between the two, they stand a chance of gaining from more responsibility. More responsibility brings in new challenges making the whole learning experience exciting.
To develop leadership skills for the future, my first action step is being proactive and taking initiative. In my professional life, I will never avoid any opportunity of showing leadership in any of the position presented to me. Unlike before, I will step forward to take up leadership in any capacity. My second step is to have more interactions with people. this will build my social skills to promote my interaction with people leading me and the people I am leading in my position. Having a role model and mentor will be a good step for my leadership program.
Works Cited
Boswell, John.“The rise and decline of small firms”. The economics Journal. Sep 2002: 800 (34): p40- 56.
Graen G. Avares K.M, Orris J. B and Matella J. A “Contingency model of leadership effectiveness: antecedent and evidential results”. Journal of leadership. Aug 2010: 74(8): p285-296
Martin G. Evans. “Leadership and Motivation: A Core Concept” Journal of management. Feb 2004. 43(6): pp. 91-102