MNG03217: Reflective Essay - Leadership Theory - Assessment Answer

Reflective Essay Assignment

Assignment Task

Using essay format and structure, develop a personal leadership model with reference to at least three (3) major areas of leadership (e.g. ethics, multiculturalism, teamwork, philosophy, psychology, power, leadership theory, management). Refer to the examples and instructions provided in the textbook for guidance and apply the following guidelines to your leadership model:

• Explain the main organizing idea or issue in your leadership model? E.G. credibility, vision, traits, relationships, etc.
• Describe what you consider to be the most important traits, skills and tasks of an effective leader.
• Explain the core values that your leadership model emphasises.
• Explain how the relationships in the organisation/group that exist will benefit as a result of using your leadership model.
• Describe the culture of the organization/group that would exist if your model was used.
• Explain what the leadership practiced in your model is seeking to achieve?
• Explain why your leadership model is different than what currently exists? If it is not different, explain why you have elected for the status quo.
• Explain how you will personally apply your leadership model.

Introduction

Personal leadership refers to one’s ability to manifest their thinking into establishing a particular direction. It entails the commitment, courage, choice, as well as determination to accomplish set goals. As such, it is important that one learns about themselves in the process of acquiring knowledge and wisdom so as to improve the effectiveness, as well as productivity. One makes goals which are steady and conscious so as to achieve their dreams and aspirations. It is also important to note that leadership does not involve personality but rather one’s behavior. As such, the gender, age, culture, as well as other variables between different people does not determine their ability to show good leadership skills (Scouller, 2011). There are, therefore, the five practices which are common to all the individuals who have good leadership skills. These include: Model the way, encourage the heart, challenge the process, enabling others to act, as well as inspiring a shared vision. The major areas of leadership applied in this paper include; ethics, teamwork, leadership theory, as well as management.

Main organizing idea

The main organizing idea in this leadership model is relationships. People constitute the major item in the efforts of a leader. As such, the leadership process cannot be effective where the leader does not understand the people he is leading (Vroom, & Jago, 2008). Moreover, the major role of a leader is to guide the people to the direction in which the goals and objectives set can be achieved. As such, an effective leader is one is in a position to create good relationships with the people involved. Further, leadership is in some cases defined as inspiring people, as well as making future plans where the motivating factors including developing relationships, as well as community service. Relationships can be developed by the application of concepts, values, as well as actions. Values are important in building relationships as they tie people together, and help set the visions which affect all the people involved. As such, it is important for every enterprise to apply commitment to the shared values, as well as common goals so as to achieve success. Leaders, in turn, view these values as the basis for actions taken.

Leadership, in reality is also taken to mean the expression of community action. This is because it happens where there is the collaboration of the leader and other stakeholders. This is as opposed to the notion that the leadership role is a starring duty carried out by one individual. Further, to achieve true leadership, there must be the unification of actions between the leader and his followers, a situation which is only achieved where the two groups work together to achieve mutual goals (Grossman, & Valiga, 2013). As such, the success of any entity relies on the collaboration between the stakeholders and the leaders, explaining the importance of creating strong relationships in the enterprise. While maintaining and strengthening relationships, the leaders have to value the people they are working with. As such, the leader should ask questions, and also listen to the views of the stakeholders in the enterprise, hence creating a mutual commitment. Further, he should encourage the people to take chances, and support them in the decisions they make. Communication is also an essential element in developing relationships and accomplishing the set goals. Additionally, the expectations of the leader should be understood by all individuals, and should benefit everyone. This, therefore, will assist in strengthening teamwork, as well as goal prioritization. Strong relationships are, therefore, important as this ensures that the activities in the enterprise are carried out harmoniously hence achieving the goals and objectives set.

Traits, skills and tasks of an effective leader, and leadership model core values

Effective leaders possess some qualities which are important in ensuring the success of the enterprise. These include self-assessment. An effective leader needs to take record of the personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as what they dislike. Recognizing the areas of weakness is important as the leader is in a position to delegate such duties to others who possess these abilities in order to achieve common goals (Richardson, 2006). The areas of strengths, on the other hand, are important as they help one complement the others. Such a leader must also have a sharp perception. This is important since it ensures that one is honest in communication with the peers, as well as amongst the teams in the organization. The effective leader should also be responsive to the needs of the group. This is important as it ensures that a strong team is built as the values and goals of each individual are achieved. The leader should also know the overall goals, as well as the purpose of the organization. As such, the leader is in a position to establish the strategies which are needed to achieve these goals. Other traits of an effective leader include passion, communication, commitment to staff, team building, as well as decisiveness.

The values incorporated in this leadership model include openness, honesty, and integrity. This is important as it assists the leaders in telling the accurate nature issues to the stakeholders as opposed to telling them what they want to hear. Temperament is also required, which is a collaboration of natural traits which have an effect of the behavior of individuals. Passion and enthusiasm is also another aspect of this leadership model. As such, the leader in this case is in a position to assist in creation of an organization where one can engage their heart and soul into the job as opposed to applying the mind alone. Innovation and creativity is also an element of this leadership model as it helps in ensuring the creation of unique ideas. Further, courage and humility is present for the purpose of creating a leadership legacy which touches people’s hearts. Trust is also important as it assists in creation of value between different groups of people in the organization.

How the existing relationships will benefit as a result of using this leadership model

The existing relations will benefit from the application of this leadership models in different ways. First, the creation of trust will enhance the relationships between team mates, leaders, as well as between the employees (Guenzi, & Ruta, 2013). As such; the individuals will work together towards the attainment of a common goal. Additionally, this leadership model is based upon the development of good relationships within the organization. As such, the leaders will work hard to ensure that the employees relate well with the stakeholders. This will be achieved by appreciating the efforts of every individual in the enterprise, as well as keeping all individuals motivated. The organization and the community will also relate better as the organization will engage in activities which are beneficial to the society. This will, in turn, increase the benefits enjoyed by the community, and the organization will in turn enjoy good public relations.

The culture of the organization/group and the goals of the model

The culture in this leadership model will entail two major elements. First there will be intellectual stimulation which involves challenging the assumptions that are applied by different enterprises. This is important as it will ensure new methods and ways are developed hence encouraging innovation (Grossman, & Valiga, 2013). Further, it will ensure the integration of different viewpoints, hence broadening the perspectives on solving the problems in the enterprise. Second, there will be individualized consideration which entails selfless service to the followers. This will be attained by recognizing, as well as the appreciation of diversity. The goals of this model include the establishment of a good working environment which is ensured by the development of good relationships. Further, this leadership model seeks to achieve the maximum productivity in the organization. This is achieved by the incorporation of the values, as well as the skills which are vital for an effective leader. This will, in turn, help in motivating the employees, as well as other stakeholders in the organization. As a result, the productivity will rise due to the increase in performance. Further, the model seeks to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization by ensuring that all the stakeholders work together towards achieving a common goal.

Why the leadership model is different and how it will be applied

This leadership model is different from the existing leadership model in different ways. First, the current model is based on the needs and requirements of the management. This model, on the other hand, puts into consideration the needs and interests of the people in the enterprise. This is evident in the major idea which is based on the establishment of good relationships between different groups of people. As such, the leadership team listens to the interests of the people involved so as to develop such relationships. Additionally, as opposed to the nature of the leadership currently present which puts emphasis on delegating duties, this model calls for effective communication between the leader and the people (Barrett, 2010). As such, the different parties work together in attaining the goals of the organization. The concerns of the people are, therefore, put into consideration, as opposed to issuing orders without considering the personal goals and interests of the people.

I will apply this leadership model by influencing the management and the stakeholders positively. This will be done by mentoring these individuals by using the value-based leadership to convince them of the importance and benefits of this form of leadership model. This may, however create conflict as there will be people who fight or ignore the new leadership strategies. As such, I will need to convince these people to cooperate, so as to change different aspects of the organization. As such, all the benefits which are accrued by the application of the new model will help change the minds of the people opposing the new model hence the successful application of the new model.