New Directions of Horry County - Assignment Example

Final Reflection Paper/Exam Question In all sphere of the working environment, we encounter different problem of which some are simple whereas others complex. Additionally, the problem solving approaches and skill allows performing the tasks effectively. In the context when we are working in a group, it becomes integral to develop sound problem solving capabilities, as we need to take various decisions to achieve our ultimate goals and objectives. In this context when we were working in a group for the accomplishment of the project ‘New Directions of Horry County’, we develop various problem-solving capabilities to assist “New Direction” in rebranding their three different programs to make them uniform under one organization. Besides, our ultimate goal was to develop a sound branding plan for New Directions, which itself been a key obstacle for us that how we should achieve this goal. In order to eradicate the challenge, we developed the plan to identify a proper channel of advertisement, which will have the ability to highlight the connection among the different establishments. Moreover, while formulating our plan we highly concentrated over the approach that in different advertisements channel the message that we want to convince would remain constant. Thus, by applying such approach it was evident that we were majorly focused on the process of problem solving through defining our major problem, which needed to be worked on. Besides, we analysed different scenarios regarding the criticality of the problem and determined a possible solution that will significantly help us to eradicate the same. For instance, in my group, we five members were working a proper structure and checked the progress of work at different point of instances to ensure healthy working environment. Besides, in our group we followed a strategy of open communication in order to address the possible problems that we were likely to encounter and make our plans in an aligned manner following the right track. Additionally, this mode of communication effectively helped us in preventing chances of grapevine of communication. In this respect, theoretical aspects of open communication are integral attributes that ensures a proper flow of information among the respective members of the group. Moreover, open communication allowed us to increase the overall productivity of the group through integrating different activities that are attached with specific groups. Furthermore, the aspect of open communication enables to clarify the respected task of every group members and form highly collaborative environment ensuring productive team outcome. Besides, one of the other creative approaches that we reflected while working in a group was that we recognised abilities of every group member and influenced their capabilities to tackle with issues that were within their strengths and area of knowledge as well as understanding. Thus, we sub divided the different activities to eradicate the challenge more efficiently and in due course of time. For instance, we faced significant difficulties to derive and determine the best product for New Directions thus, to meet this challenges we opened a platform where every group members could share their ideas and views aligned with the needs of mitigation of the identified challenges faced within our group. However, during the progression of the project we missed out the approach of full meeting, which has often proved to be beneficial to meet and recognise the succession and progress of a project. Thus, I anticipate that if we followed the approach of group meeting it could provide better outcome in project and tackle the problems that were arising during the tenure of the project in an efficient manner. Apparently, while working over the project we divided the team task in such a manner that activities are been performed only by the specialised people that has been assisted over the respected task. Correspondingly, I utilised my own leadership qualities and capabilities through delegation of task in such a manner that the team members are able to perform the task efficiently over others based on their areas of competences and abilities. Moreover, it can also be affirmed that during the time of the difficulty I have always tried to support them to increase reveal their problems that they face in carrying out their respective tasks, which ensures that I utilise my ability in developing an effective communicative environment within the group. Notably, during the process when our group consisted of five people, I always motivated other members to come up with effective solution to deal with the adverse scenario and made them highly committed towards their respective tasks. Besides, I remain highly enthusiastic over my respective tasks, which made the other people of group openly communicate and passionate towards their roles. On the other hand, in adverse situation I motivated the respective group members in such a manner that we work in collaborative way and come up with effective solution towards the problem. Moreover, during time to working over the project in a collaborative manner I always focus over performing respectful behaviour towards the other group members. In addition, my approach over the respected team members is open minded as considering their opinion in the decision making process. Nevertheless, we have predefined the vision that our project will not be failed. Thus, I developed an approach that my group will remain highly sensitive over the needs of other group members. Question 2: Business operates on the terms of external environment, which changes unpredictably and has a significant influence over the growth and survival of the business. Additionally, organisation will have little control over its external environment hence, needs to monitor the same at a continuous basis. The strategic planning that is conducted in the specific filed helps in adapting to such external changes, which are proactive as well reactive changes will significantly assist to behave accordingly. A leader is key human resource in the organisation and plays an important role in succession of the business. Additionally, better leadership practice in organisation help to develop proper coordination among the group members and enhances the overall productivity of the business. Besides, with the continuous change in the process of environment leadership should be highly flexible and adaptive to the changes. On the other hand, the key aspect that led the leaders of the current environment to be flexible includes increased level of globalization, international commerce, continuous development in the aspects of technology, continuous changing cultural values, diversity in the workforce, and increased requirement of interaction among the other factors. However, in order to be adaptive to changes leaders needs to behave according to the situation, as the leaders undertakes variety of the task in business and need to shift from one state to other as per the changing environmental requirements. On the other hand, leader plays a prior role under whose guidance and governance subordinate perform their respective tasks (Goffee & Jones, 2000). For instance, when certain incident significantly threaten and disturbs the normal operation of the business or likely to hamper the people and productivity of the same it is noted that such circumstances appropriate response is needed to be perform to minimise its negative impact. In this regard, leaders of current scenario need to adopt the leadership practices. Thus, the possibility that the changes in the external environment will threaten the performance of the business leaders need to adopt strategic action of adoptive leadership practices to ensures effective performance and survival of the business. In this regard, Kotter (2001) argues that leaders plays a prior role through making the constructive changes and setting direction to make necessary changes in the behaviour and attitudes of the workforces in accordance to the changing environment. Besides, leaders need to avoid micromanaging to remain focused over what is happening in the external environment and spot the required changes (Snowden & Boone, 2007). Correspondingly, with continuous advancement in the business environment people are increasingly become aligned towards growing the knowledge and experience, which significantly lead to adopt democratic leadership practices through redistribution of various powers as well as authority. The efficient management of key skilled people and make them involved in task of superior decision making is likely to develop the performances of the organisation. Furthermore, it will enhance the participation of the subordinates and further develop corporative working environment in the organisation (Goffee & Jones, 2000). Based on the assessment of the different views that has been portrayed by various authors it is quite evident that leaders need to adopt flexibility, ready for change, democratic, and people-focused aspect along with their leadership practices in the changing business environment in order to cater the changing demand and ensures the productivity. On the other hand, through the assessment of my leadership style it is quite evident that I am highly inductive towards taking the authority of leadership. Besides, my leadership practice should be highly based on the involvement of employees to be participative and involve in the organisational activities (Yukl & Mahsud, 2010). Apparently, the scorecard of my leadership practice reflects that my leadership abilities ate quiet reflective; I guided and governed the group based on “Free Rein” leadership style. Based on the theoretical aspect of “Free Rein” leadership practice allow the other group member to involve in the decision making and the subordinate having the authority to perform the task and make decision that proves to be beneficial at large. Thus, based on the above discussion, it can be ascertained that in the current changing business environment it is quite important for the leaders to involve with subordinate in the decision-making process because ultimately the workforce are the one who will perform the tasks to ensure productivity of the business. This aspect depicts that in the changing business environment through my abilities and quality I can lead the group effectively and enhance the productive domain of the business (Chand, 2015). Apparently, as the current business environment is highly uncertain and becoming highly complex thus, in order to meet with the ambiguity, I should develop the approach of suppressing my capability to urge and control the things efficiently. Besides, I will also emphasise over the aspect regarding why my decision are going on the wrong direction and becoming highly flexible over the changes that are required. Nevertheless, during the instance of leading to the group I should work over advising the group member regarding right aspect and even guiding them through proper way of task attainment (Anthony, 2010). On the other hand, need to change continuously in the current changing business environment my approach should be based on making flexible decision through looking beyond the scope of the work and understanding the different role and responsibilities. Besides, adaptation of approach of open communication in the group enables to ensure the change requirement efficiently. Correspondingly, delegating the employees and subordinates of the group with their respective responsibility and increase their involvement in decision-making will make them accountable towards their respective tasks (Weibler, 2004). However, when my group work was over in the specified project of ‘New Directions of Horry County’ I focused towards the approach of forming open communication. Besides, the approaches of open communication among the group members allowed me recognise the difficulties of other group members and work cooperatively to eradicate the problem. Apparently, I motivated the group member to working in the structural manner and progression is been monitored in every step. Notably, in working over the group I make the strong trust over my respective group members and encourage them to work according to the ultimate expectation of the group. In addition, I abet members to remain highly focused over the plan and ultimate goal of the project through making them assess their own strength and area of competence. Moreover, by offering the team members challenging job and seeking to determine their ideas and contribution encourages to increase the productivity of the project. For instance, while working in the project I valued others point of view and different ideas that the group member offered me. This helped in developing the team by efficiently exploiting individual abilities and traits to attain group objectives (Luszczynska et al., 2005). Question 5 Self-assessment is considered as one of the most essential tools that help in understanding the strength and weakness of oneself, resulting in the development of both personal as well as professional life. By following the needs of development, that I have attained through my self-assessment has helped me to understand my personal traits, behaviours, skills and attitudes in an in-depth manner. Certain factors are very essential in conducting self assessment such as remaining truthful and honest to oneself while assessing the criteria of the personal developments. Similarly, I have also ensured my outmost honesty while accessing myself and marking my attributes on different scales. The markings that I have provided are noted to be fair and truthful as per the best of my understanding. My strategy has always been to develop and improve myself to the best possible way. Thus, the self-assessment serves best to achieve my strategy and motivate in every aspects that help me to perform better in my professional life and personal life. From self-assessment, I came to realize that there are many strong points, which I possess and that would help in my future career growth. However, there are certain weak areas that are hampering my success and thus I have to work more on these areas to rectify them. This Self-Analysis Means To You As A Professional As a professional, self analysis generally refers as a systematic way of understanding the personality of an individual without taking the help of other individuals. In other words, it is generally a process, which increases the ability of an individual to perceive or evaluate about them. However, through self-analysis an individual can know better about oneself and thereby find out the areas of strength that will lead to the future growth in the career. In one way, self-analysis may be termed as the way of examining the life of oneself in a systematic manner. Self-analysis is considered as a key to success for an individual because it helps an individual to get a closer view of the different personality traits that they posses. This helps an individual to rectify their faults and make necessary amendments required for achieving success. However, SWOT analysis and the Johari Window may serve as the most beneficial tool for self-analysis of an individual that would help in understanding the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats possessed by an individual, which may influence the performance at large. Johari window is an important technique that helps people to understand their relationship with oneself and therefore may serve as an important tool for self analysis. Strengths/Skills Will You Leverage And Areas You Need To Improve While conducting self-assessment I have came across certain skill sets that are likely to strengthen my personality and ensure effective career growth. This has helped me in understanding areas of strength as well as weakness that would contribute to my future professional development. From the self assessments, I have come to know the areas which I need to develop and mitigate chances of weaknesses that are still prominent within me and inherently necessary to improve in order to attain success in future. Among the areas of strength includes: Confident in accomplishing any work Highly committed towards my work Always achieve the goals set for myself Never give up a work until it is finished whatever the circumstances may arise Effectively handle adverse situations and problems Urge to learn something new Possess strong personality Strong leadership quality Strong influential character Manage team effectively However, through self-assessment I have identified the above mentioned characteristics within me that help me in performing my work effectively with team spirit. However, I have to work more on these areas to make efficient utilization of them and thereby lead towards attaining my personal as well as professional goal. On the other hand, there are certain areas that are being identified through self assessment that reflects on the needs of development this includes the following: Try to avoid complex work Quickly get angry Get emotional at some situations Not friendly behaviour with employees However, all these are the major weaknesses that I have identified through the self-assessment and thus it is very essential to work on all these factors in order to overcome them that would contribute to my strength/skill areas. Impact You Have On Subordinates and Peers My personal traits along with various skills and leadership styles highly influences my peers and team members to imbibe those characteristics within them that help them in improving their working performance and thereby succeed in life. Using my abilities and skills, I always try to keep things organized and on track. The subordinates and peers prefer my personality that helps me to communicate with them effectively and attain team objectives, organizational goals through initiation of various ideas and clarify the problems as and when it arises. Moreover, the motivational skills being possessed by me helps in motivating my subordinates that serves to be beneficial for their individual goal as well as organizational goal. Maximize Leadership Using my leadership skills helps me to lead the entire team members as well as other members of the organization towards achieving the common organizational goal. It is very essential to maximize my leadership abilities that would help me lead the team more effectively, thus contribute to the organizational success (Human Capital Review, 2007). Certain strategies would be beneficial to follow in order to maximize my leadership abilities that include: Involve in more positive communication with the employees and subordinates Remaining abstained from unethical and illegal activities and try to maintain ethical standards and values in the workplace Try to transform negative and adverse situations into opportunities Involve in the learning process for lifelong learning that would enhance the leadership skills and rectify the mistakes Try to accept positive changes that would serve beneficial for me as well as the organization Learning from the Insight Through the self-assessment, I have come to know about various hidden traits and skills within myself that I was not acquainted with. I have identified various strengths and weakness that made me astonished about the level of competencies that I have been developing. Implementing those strengths in my personal as well as my professional life would serve beneficial for my future career growth. The leadership skills identified through self-assessment is one of the most essential area, that would help me to progress further and I am planning to work on the skills to make them more effective. Question 6 In the context of leadership, the aspect of self-development enables them to achieve superiority in their respective field. Additionally, it even helps in utilising the different skill sets that one possess and assist in acquiring required skill and knowledge. Through various empirical studies over the concepts of leadership, it is evident that the aspect of qualities that includes adaptability, intelligence as well as conscientiousness towards the team is regarded to be integral leadership skills that support strategic implementation of policies and meet with effective needs of progression. Besides the leaders, having the quality of positivity, inspiration, and empowerment are other important constraints of leaders. On the other hand, aforesaid aspects in a leader are regarded to be having high performing teams. In this regard, to enhance my leadership skills and abilities of self-improvement I will be highly aligned towards incorporating the aspects that are elaborated in the following sections. Correspondingly, in order to improve my leadership skills and become an effective leader enhancing the below mentioned aspects in my daily life as well as within the working environment will be significantly important. Developing the Clear Vision The key job of the leader is to provide clear vision and mission to the team so that they can effectively follow and carry the work in the right direction. Thus, I will develop the approach by asking myself regarding why the goal that has been set by me is valuable for the team. Besides, I would also work over to identify how the vision that has been set by me will not only assist the group in achieving overall objective but be beneficial as well. Critical Thinking In the era continuous development and diverse as well as changing business environment imposes huge amount of uncertainty within the business environment. the adaptive leaders need to take various decisions through critically analysing of the available scenario. Thus, in this regard, in order to enhance my capabilities of leadership I will work over developing the ability of critical thinking and foresee potential problems that could have significant impact on my productivity. Remain Passionate Apparently, in order to become efficient leader apart from focusing over the group members I need to focus not only on task rather, I will also have to be passionate while dealing with the needs of the workers. Furthermore, I even need to be enthusiastic over the group, which is likely to recognise my charismatic skills and gain respect among the group members. Defining the Goal and Develop Additionally, I will concentrate over the objective of the group prior to mapping any planning through concerning over the consequences of my decision making. In addition, I will highly concern over making more realistic goal and objective formulation so that it is attainable by the group members. Maintain Positive Attitude In regards to enhancing the leadership ability and enhance the influences of my approach I should be developing and maintaining positive attitude in the group. Apparently, positive attitude will enable to form corporation and mutual entrusted surroundings in the group. Improving the Communication Skill Improving the communication approach through developing more interaction within the group and the group members will enable me to generate positive working environment in the group. Developing the Social Skills It has been apparently ascertained that the leaders having social skills is regarded to be good communicator and guide the team in an effective manner. Thus, I will work over learning the approaches that would helps in conflict resolution and maintain a proper working environment within the organisation. Improving the Listening Ability An efficient leader needs to be a good listener that should be aligned with the needs of focus over open communication within the group members. In this regard, my self-improvement plan will focus over expressing the sincere care as well as concern over the needs and requirements of the group members in the form of verbal and non-verbal communication. Encouraging Subordinates to Make Their Contribution Working towards building the environment of work group is often noted to be highly sensitive towards the changes. I need to be cautious and efficient towards giving importance of employees’ perception over my personal perception. Trying to Introduce New Perception Moreover, in the changing business environment it has become integral for the leader to adopt and work accordingly to maintain the succession of the business thus, to become efficient leader I should focused over developing the interpersonal skills to ensure productivity. Source: (Adair, 2010; Russell, 2005; Sindell & Hoang, 2001) Assessment with I Agree the Most Based on the assessment of various dimensions of my leadership qualities, I agree the most is communication because my current level of communication is assessed with five different dimensions including planning, reflection, presence, consequence, and modelling cognitions. Besides, the assessment highlighted that in order to further enhance my communication level with the others, I need to work over planning cognitions, which is one of the executive function of communication that involve formulation, assessment and assortment of various thoughts and views for efficiently achieving the desire goals. Assessment with I disagree the Most Consequently, on the other hand, assessment of my leadership style has made me confused regarding the particular style of leadership quality, which I have. Moreover, the assessment reflected more or less similar score in these three forms of the leadership styles, but their characteristics differs from each other. Thus, in the general perspective one leader cannot adopt all the leadership style, as they could be either directive or participative or free rein. Thus, the scores attained were equal reflecting that the leadership traits possessed were of all the three types which is not acceptable. Hence, I do not agree with the same. Suggestion for Improvement In self assessment course, I liked the dimension of assessing leadership quality the most because it helps to determine my strengths and quality that I have and provided me with the opportunity to work over the weak areas. this has further assisted me to enhance my leadership qualities to properly guide and govern the team efficiently and effectively. On the other hand, the course missed out to assess various other dimensions such as strategic thinking ability, empathy and creativity assessment, which are other key factors to be a successful leader. Hence, in future the course should include such assessment criteria to make it more meaningful for the students and/or sponsors. References Adair, J. (2010). Develop your leadership skills. UK: Kogan Page Publishers. Anthony, S. (2010). Grooming leaders to handle ambiguity. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2010/07/grooming-leaders-to-handle-ambiguity/ Chand, S. (2015). 3 Styles of leadership: Autocratic, democratic and free rein style. Retrieved from http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/leadership/3-styles-of-leadership-autocratic-democratic-and-free-rein-style/28002/ Goffee, R. & Jones, G. (2000). Why should be anyone lead by you? Harvard Business Review, 1-9. Human Capital Review. (2007). Five Strategies to Maximize Leadership Effectiveness Over the Coming Year - Turn negatives into opportunities. Retrieved from http://www.humancapitalreview.org/content/default.asp?Article_ID=936&ArticlePage_ID=1891&cntPage=2 Kotter, J. P. (2001). What leaders really do? Harvard Business Review, 1-12. Luszczynska, A., Scholz, U., & Schwarzer, R. (2005). The general self-efficacy scale: Multicultural validation studies. The Journal of Psychology, 139(5), 439-457. Russell, L. (2005). Leadership development. US: American Society for Training and Development. Sindell, M., & Hoang, T. (2001). Leadership development: Management development. US: American Society for Training and Development. Snowden, D. F., & Boone, M. E. (2007). A leader’s framework for decision making. Harvard Business Review, 69-76. Southern Cross University. (2015). The importance of self-assessment. Article, pp. 1-2. Weibler, J. (2004). Democratic leadership. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/northouseintro2e/study/chapter/encyclopedia/encyclopedia3.1.pdf Yukl, G., & Mahsud, R. (2010). Why flexible and adaptive leadership is essential. Consulting Psychology Journal, 62(2), 81–93 Read More