Assessing Leadership Competencies for Change - Essay Example

Assessing Leadership Competencies for Change Grade (March, 1st, Assessing Leadership Competencies for Change A change agent is an individual within the organization, who seeks to introduce new methods, techniques, processes or creative ideas, which can enable an organization to realize its goals, while utilizing fewer resources (Evans, 2011). I consider myself a change agent and reformist, considering that I have the drive and passion of seeking different ways of doing things. My philosophy is to always seek a better, cheaper and simpler method, yet one that is efficient and effective to realize any set target or goals. In this manner, it is always my norm to find different ways of achieving the target, even when such methods might be unpopular or even unconventional, but they deliver better results, while utilizing less time and resources. Further, I have the initiative and drive to lead in charting a path that might be considered risky, because I am a risk taker who does not fear losing while trying. Further, a change agent is an individual within an organization who is a risk taker, always seeking for different ways of doing things, so that better organizational performance can be achieved (Ulrich & Smallwood, 2007). Therefore, it is such attributes that has enabled me to achieve more targets using less resources and within a short period of time. Leadership Competencies for Change comprises of the leadership skills and behaviors that contributes to the superior performance of the organization, in addition to promoting good leadership that unites the workforce towards the realization of specified organizational goals (Anderson, 2008). Thus, in becoming a competent leader who can lead change in an educational organization, several skills and attributes are essential. Amongst the leadership competencies that I possess, which can lead and transform an educational organization include: Strong interpersonal communication skills Strong interpersonal communication skills are essential skills that an individual seeking to lead and transform an educational organization towards better performance must possess (Ulrich & Smallwood, 2007). Thus, strong communication and facilitation skills are some of the core competencies that I possess, which can enable me drive change in an educational organization and transform it to better performance. I have good interpersonal skills which also help me to facilitate the undertaking of some tasks with a team, considering that teamwork is essential for any achievement through teamwork, and any teamwork must first entail team cohesion (Barret & Beeson, 2002). Therefore, with the strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, I will be able to coordinate different activities that can change the organization, through forging teamwork and then facilitating the team by ensuring that all the necessities for the implementation of a change are availed to the team. Further, the introduction of change within any organization is likely to be met with a certain level of resistance from those who would like to maintain the status quo (Evans, 2011). Consequently, with the strong communication and facilitation skills, I will be able to communicate to those opposing change, on the necessity for change to them and to the organization, thus ensuring that all the stakeholders to the educational organization have bought the idea and owned it. Positive mind-set and attitude Another leadership competency for change that I possess is a positive mind-set and attitude in everything that I focus on doing. The fundamental principle for realizing change within an organization is ensuring that the leader has a positive can-do mindset and attitude (Barret & Beeson, 2002). The possession of a positive attitude when implementing any decisions and strategy has helped me to always keep focused on the implementation process despite the challenges and hurdles that may occur along the way. I have also learnt that the possession of a positive attitude and mind-set helps me to draw strength from the optimism, which in turn gives me the determination to keep going. This attitude and mindset is necessary, since it serves to ensure that the leader is fully committed to the realization of the change that he/she envisions for the organization (Ulrich & Smallwood, 2007). It is also through the possession of a positive attitude that a leader is able to overcome resistance to change, considering that such a leader will still push through with the change agenda, even when it is met with resistance from within the organization. Therefore, with a positive mind-set and attitude towards changing and transforming the educational organization that I seek to lead, I will be able to lead the transformation of the organization to better performance. Possession of ethical values, teamwork and empowering spirit Ethics is a fundamental principle that guides a leader through the difficult times of change implementation, especially when the leader is faced with challenge of an ethical dilemma, which then requires the leader to select what is good over what is bad (Anderson, 2008). The complexity of applying ethics for effective transformation and change of an organization emanates from the fact that ethics is relative, and what is good for one party may not be good for the other party. In this respect, I possess strong ethical and honesty value principles, which always guide me when interacting with others. The strong ethical and honest principles have helped me to choose the overall good, when making a choice between my interests and the overall interest of the others. Considering that there are many circumstances under which the interest of an individual is conflicting with the interests of an organization, it is upon the leader to make the best choice that will deliver the overall good for the organization (Evans, 2011). In this respect therefore, since I possess strong ethical and honesty values, I will be able to evaluate and select what is good for the organization over what is good is for me. This way, I will be in a position to lead the educational organization through transformation and change, which will in turn enhance the performance of the organization. Possessing Flexibility, open-mindedness and motivational and empowering attitude A leader is qualified to be a competent leader, where the leader is able to embrace others and be flexible to opinions and suggestions from others, while also having the empowerment attitude (Barret & Beeson, 2002). I possess a flexible and an open-mind attitude, which allows me to listen to others and gather their suggestions and opinions, which in turn helps me to incorporate the necessary change into the decision-making process. This way, I have been corrected where I would have gone wrong on my own. It is through the possession of such values that a leader is able to share responsibilities with others, by empowering them and delegating duties that will make others feel appreciated and recognized (Evans, 2011). Therefore, through empowering others and accepting their opinions and then incorporating their suggestions, I will be able to drive the organizational change and transformation process, without causing unnecessary conflicts with the other organizational stakeholders. Visionary and creative thinker Vision is the fundamental principle upon which the success of any organization is built (Ulrich & Smallwood, 2007). In addition, a competent leader is required to be visionary and creative in thinking, so that the leader can formulate the right goals for an organization, which will propel the organization to achieving better performance and success. I am a visionary and creative thinking person, some attributes that enables me to formulate goals and targets well in advance, and then determine the applicable strategies that will help me achieve the goals. This drive is essential, since it will enable me to think through the needs of the educational organization, and then formulate creative ideas and goals, which will be implemented to enhance better performance of the educational organization. Weaknesses Nevertheless, the major weakness associated with my leadership competency for transformation, is the fact that I am impatient with things that are working slow, and thus have always looked for a better and fast way of achieving my goals and targets. However, a leader is supposed to be patient and resilient, so that he/she can lead the change within the organization by ensuring that all stakeholders are brought on board (Anderson, 2008). Thus, lack of patience is one of the essential competencies that I need to work on, so that patience and resilience can be integrated with the other leadership competencies that I possess. This way, I will be able to lead the educational organization through change and transformation. References Anderson, J. A. (2008). Driving change through diversity and globalization: Transformative leadership in the academy. Sterling, Va: Stylus Pub. Barret, A., & Beeson, J. (2002). Developing business leaders for 2010. New York: The Conference Board. Brownwell, J. (2006, Fall). Meeting the competency needs of global leaders: A partnership approach. Human Resources Management, 45(3), 309-336. Evans. J (2011). Five Leadership Competencies for Transformational Leadership. Envision Global Leadership Inc. Ulrich, D. & Smallwood, N. (2007). Leadership Brand. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Publishing Read More