Reflection On Leadership

During Phase I of the course, leaders are trained on common core skills and leader development, with emphasis on Army Writing leadership, physical fitness, property accountability, NCOER's equal opportunity, train the force, and risk management. As the course progresses, it focuses on training skill level 3 enlisted personnel to supervise shop operations and diagnose wheeled vehicles and material handling equipment. In addition, this course centered on senior wheeled vehicle mechanic and maintenance supervisor skills and duty positions. Training focused on enhanced skills in leadership, communication and logistics management, practical and classroom exercises, discussions, presentations and lectures. Topics include Ordnance history, stress

“It is unequivocally clear that leaders are not like other people” (Kirkpatrick and Locke, 1991, as cited in Northouse, P. G., 2016, p.22). I have always thought that I was not like other people; I see the world through a different lens. This difference, which sets me apart from my peers, has sometimes restrained my progress; however, after studying my differences and seeing them as strengths, I can now focus on these strengths that make me a unique, passionate, progressive leader. In reflecting on my leadership skills, I will analyze the results of the leadership questionnaires, as presented in Peter Northouse’s book, Leadership:Theory and practice (7th ed.), connect those result strengths with the

Management and Leadership are two different skill sets and positions, however, it is believed by some organizations that they go hand in hand. I believe that management is a learned concept that is taught in schools. Universities and colleges offer degrees in Management and/or Leadership. Authentic leadership is not actually taught but can be learned as a practical skill through being coached and mentored by a true effective leader. Leadership skills are gained by completing research, gaining ideas to inspire and help others achieve new skills to move into a better position or advanced career. Achieving new leadership skills is always a work in progress. In my IMG 233 class I learned that Management is the formal influence of the organization. Managers develop strategic goals, establish performance control mechanisms, and communicate instructions and information to ensure probability and production to meet the overall demands. Leaders are the heart of the organization and their role is to informally influence and inspire employees while creating visions and direction and at the same time building strong team relationships. An effective and dynamic leader empowers their team with the knowledge to be innovative and generate new ideas to increase productivity and performance.

I have written this leadership philosophy in order to create an environment of mutual respect, open communication and section cohesiveness. My philosophy centers on three simple values: sense of duty, integrity and respect. I believe these values provide the foundation for the positive atmosphere we all deserve.

When searching the word leadership one of the immediate synonyms to appear is control. To me, leadership is nothing about control. Leadership is accepting your role in any situation and still going above and beyond. Being someone who orders others around is not leading, it is dictating. Those getting out in front of others and working just as hard--if not harder--to set an example are true leaders. Leadership plays your strengths while still addressing your weaknesses. Acknowledging both sets up for success. In my life, I definitely have roles with set leadership titles. Although I have these titles, I try to act in ways that do not place me on a higher pedestal than the people I am surrounded by. I act as a humble leader because I know that I have not always been at the leadership level that I currently am. From dance, to student council, to link crew, my age does not give me automatic power. I am looked up to for my experience, but I am a leader for my ability to make connections with those around me. If I lead in ways that just push people around, it won’t be very effective; at a certain point people get fed up with a condescending boss and orders are no longer effective. I do not set out to be a leader only to receive credit, I am a leader to create a lasting impact.

Due to my passive nature, I’ve always avoided leadership roles. With that being said I still aspire to be someone who can be looked to as a leader. In order to reach that goal I observe and try to mimic the actions of people that inspire me. There have been many people I’ve taken orders from, but I have “followed” few. Those are the ones I consider to be true leaders, and have tried to be like myself.

It’s interesting to sit down and write my first paper in almost 20 years. I’ve spent the last 10 years trying to be very concise in my communication, to the point and easy to skim the important facts to ensure what I need to get across will be read. I feel that having some emotional response to the stress of regularly writing papers that ‘feel long’ is just a great example of some of what I learned from my MBTI/Firo B results.

During the past ten weeks, I have strengthened my concept of what constitutes effective leadership. Importantly, it is a leadership style that maximises the contributions of followers to achieve the desired outcomes for the organisation they represent. As Nanjundeswaraswamy & Swamy (2014, p.57) explains, effective leaders need to balance the drive to achieve a task with managing relationships. Therefore, it is essential for good leadership to not only focus on the task but develop, motivate and empower team members to strive for the achievement of task goals.

I know you were worried about me going off to college and being on my own. I want you to know that I am doing fine. I am so glad that I pushed myself to take this Leadership class. It has really helped me get comfortable with talking to strangers and sharing my opinion even if it is not the same as everyone else. I know you were worried about me being an introvert and not wanting to talk to people. But through my leadership class, I have learned to talk to people easier and I have even made a couple friends in the class. Leadership is not what I thought it was. I have learned so much about myself and what I need to do to become a leader. This class has not only helped me find who I want to be but so have you. You have always been a leader in my eyes raising me on your own.

The objective of this reflection is to expose critically how I could evaluate my own experience with relation to the theories and ideas about Leadership. In other words, how this lecture and insights changed my personal notion, as well, how I could amplify my knowledge about this subject. But I assume that the most important is to demonstrate how the application of Leadership skill is relevant in my career in the future.

As an educational leader, I have encountered several new and existing school policies. I never thought deeply about the various processes and the stakeholders involved in policy formulation and implementation. This semester I am engaged in the course Managing Educational Policy as School Leaders (EDLM 6005). This is Semester III, 2016/2017. My course coordinator is Dr. Timar Stephenson. Dr Stephenson was my course coordinator once before and was very helpful whenever I needed clarification or when I had a difficulty. I am thrilled to embrace the new ideas and learning opportunities embedded in this course since it teaches issues which I experience at work. Dr Stephenson, during his introduction reminded his entire class that success in this course would only be realized through hard work, dedication, and commitment. Therefore, it is imperative that I have the right attitude as I navigate this course. The course involves seven weeks of intense work. I am pleased to have a wonderful group facilitator by the name of Rhonda Joseph who has already given us a BBC to explain the requirements of the course and our first two modules.

Using my personal knowledge and experience, the following reflection will state why the ten values highlighted above are important in leadership and governance. After each explanation there will be an example to support the reasoning. The reflection will use “the government” as a leader to reflect on leadership and governance. Specifically, the government will refer to any ministry at the provincial level and it is not specific to one leader, to a group of leaders (members of provincial parliament, ministry, public servants etc.) or to a particular organization (ministry, unit, department etc.).

Leadership is an essential part of society that is applied in our daily real-life situations. From what I have learned in this course, it is my understanding that leaders are constantly sought after, and leadership is an important service. People in society are constantly searching for attributes that make good leaders and looking for methods of making more effective leaders. This is because leadership is not only applied in our professional lives, but also in our social and personal existence. I have learned that organizations go out of their way to search for leaders that promise improvement and success for them. In most cases, organizations assess attributes that make leaders stand out, including intelligence, integrity,

The most challenging area, is category nine. As you learned in a previous paragraph, there are a few extra pounds hanging around. I was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a few years ago. Through diet and exercise, a healthier lifestyle was achieved. As the numbers improved, I became less diligent. This directly reflects my mood and my relationships with others. I become irritated more easily and this can influence how I approach others. I have been working on these relationships. As a quiet individual, this can be challenging. Social interaction can be draining. I am striving to speak and smile when I encounter strangers in public places. As I great co-workers, I try to remember things in which they have interests thus allowing for more meaningful conversations.

When asked to define leadership, I think most people will reflect to someone who has made a significant impact on their lives—a leader. In some, leadership is an inherent trait, in others it is learned quality. As a leader in the military, I can say that leadership is undoubtedly a quality that is expected of a person, to an extent, at entry level; the rest is developed and cultivated by our mentors and life experience. I can think of two people who I can attribute my leadership values to, although credit is due in countless places. Senior Chief Roy Davis, my EDMC on the USS BUFFALO, was a gruff individual. He had rough edges, a mean scowl, and his words were harsh. But even so, he had a way about him that let me know he cared about my future and showed me my potential as a sailor. He questioned everything I did, told me I’d done a good job when it was due, and always asked how I could do more. He fostered an environment that relied on respect, trust, and knowledge. My father also played a strong influential role in the leader I am today. Although he never served in the military, he was well versed in just about every subject, and provided for me a sounding board to bounce my ideas off. I trusted him and knew I could rely on his judgement and advice. When I was young, he told me that had to respect people. Reflecting on his choice of words, I’m able to gain more insight on his specific view points on behaviors associated with a leader. Because of my father, I can accept a person for who they are, and despite any shortcomings, respect them anyway. “Leaders work in and with relationships, and whether between nations, races, religions, cultures, organizations, groups, or individuals, a major potential for harmony or conflict is rooted profoundly in respect or disrespect.” (DeLellis, 2000)