Self leadership - Essay Example

? SELF LEADERSHIP Submitted Contents Contents 2 LITERATURE REVIEW 3 CURRENT LEARNING INVENTORY 5 ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS & WEEKNESSES 8 STRENGTHS 8 WEAKNESS 9 SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES 10 LONG TERM OBJECTIVES 11 CONCLUSION 13 REFERENCES 14 INTRODUCTION Since I was a little child rising up, my mother would always told me that; “If at first you do not succeed, try, try again” a famous quote by William E. Hickson. My ultimate goal is to attain the traits of a successful C.E.O, may be someone like Steve Jobs. I am a self driven and hardworking student who is keen to experience and learn from his failures. The paper discusses a complete evaluation of my personal and professional attributes using Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Kolb Learning Style test, 360 degree feedback from family members, peers, associates and colleagues. This evaluation will help me recognize my strengths upon which I can capitalize and at the same time allow me to overcome my weaknesses. LITERATURE REVIEW Self-leadership is described as a process in the course of which people influence themselves to attain the self-direction and self-motivation required to perform (Manz, 1999). Self-leadership engrosses behavioral as well as cognitive strategies that are imagined to positively manipulate consequences (Anderson, 1999). Self-assessment can direct to the recognition of behaviors that ought to be changed, enhanced, or eliminated (Neck, 1999). This foundation of self-assessment empowers the individual to become more effective in outlining personal goals that may show the way to improved performance (Neck, 1999). Self-rewards, however, can be used to strengthen desirable behaviors and goal accomplishment (Mahoney, 1999). Desired behaviors can be shaped by self-rewards and self-punishment predominantly when used cautiously and reserved for critically negative behaviors (Manz, 1992). Finally, the continuous practice of desired behaviors prior to actual performance can permit the correction of problems and the prevention of pricey miscues (Manz & Neck, 1999). In short, self leadership allows encouraging constructive, desirable behaviors that lead to winning outcomes, while holding back negative, unwanted behaviors that go ahead to unsuccessful results. A lot of individual performance tribulations result from dysfunctional thinking (Burns, 1980). Such vague and distorted thoughts usually result from underlying dysfunctional assumptions and beliefs that are repeatedly prompted by stressful or traumatic situations. Thought self-leadership implies that a self-analysis procedure one can not only identify dysfunctional beliefs and assumptions but can also confront and replaced them with more rational ones (Burns, 1992). What we stealthily tell ourselves can be defined as Self-talk or self-dialogue (Manz, 1992). Since individuals assess, tutor, and react to themselves mentally therefore this self-talk more often than not takes place at unnoticeable stages (Manz, 1992). In the course of the effectual employment of self-talk strategies, individual can find out to suppress and deject pessimistic and negative self-talk while encouraging optimistic self-dialogues (Seligman, 1991). Replacing dysfunctional and negative self-talk patterns with constructive inner dialogues can enhance the performance (Manz & Neck, 1999). Optimism has a positive relation with physical and mental health, and at the same time it grants one the ability to muddle through stressful situations (Fahey, 1998). According to Scheier and Carver (1992) an optimistic point of view bequeath benefits on what people accomplish and what people are competent to pull off in times of adversity. In short, self-leadership suggests that an individual’s performance levels can be improved if he possesses optimistic, opportunity-focused and constructive though patters rather than pessimistic, obstacle focused and dysfunctional thought patterns. To sum up self-leadership theory asserts that behavioral and cognitive strategies tend to have a positive sway on performance outcomes as these strategies are entrenched in existing theories of self-influence and motivation. CURRENT LEARNING INVENTORY Kolb's learning model sets out four distinctive learning styles based on a learning cycle of four stages. Kolb puts in plain words that different people in nature prefer a definite single unusual learning style. A variety of factors like social environment, basic cognitive structure of the individual or educational experiences influence a person's chosen style. No matter what influences the choice of style, the learning style preference is in reality the product of two pairs of variables which according to Kolb are lines of axis. I according this test I m high on AC & AE and thus lies in the Convergent quadrant. According to AC orientation I focus on ideas, and concepts. I am a logic driven person and emphasize on thinking instead of feeling. I concentrate more on forming general solutions and general theories rather than altering the decisions as per the need and requirement of situation. I feel comfortable with a scientific approach instead of an artistic approach to problems which makes me a risk evader. On the other hand on the horizontal axis I m influenced by AE style according to which I tend to focus on actively changing situations and influencing people. It allows me to give more emphasis on practical applications instead of mere reflective understanding; a realistic approach what works rather than what is universal truth. This evolves me as a doer rather than an observer. Being in the Converging quadrant I can solve problems and by using my learning I can acquire solutions for practical issues. I am more concerned about the technical tasks and am less apprehensive for people and interpersonal aspect. I prefer making things happen rather than seeing or wondering what happens. I focus on practically experiencing things rather than day dreaming. I believe in instigating ideas and turning them in to real practical solutions. Secondly I used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) assessment to identify my personality type. It is psychometric questionnaire which can measure preferences based on psychology as to what are the perceptions of people about this world and how do they make decisions. According to this my type is ISTP (I-introversion, S-sensing, T-thinking and P-perceiving) According to the test result I was shocked to know that I am an introvert, I realized that though I am an outgoing person but I am very shy at expressing myself. I rely on being understood rather than imposing my opinions and judgments onto others. I tend make independent decisions free from the influences of constraints and nudging from people, situation, culture, or things around me. I feel more comfortable and diligent at working alone and socially unaccompanied. I unlike being broken up with interventions while at work and tend to fail to remember names and faces. Being the sensing type I crave for reality, abstracts and misleading intuitions have no charm to me I see reality and not mere images. Only something here and now, tangible, structured, concrete and factual allure me. I can’t bear theories and assumptions and tend to think carefully, going detail-by-detail, recalling real facts, minimizing errors of fact but may be with a lack of vision or central idea overall. As a thinker my judgments on the subject of life, people and situations are based on logic and analysis of evidence, evading the absurdity of decisions having there foundation in feelings and values. As a result, I remain more concerned logic and rationale. In this case I sometimes neglect to take into consideration of the values of others and step over others’ feelings and needs without realization. Being the perceiver I always feel the thirst of knowing as much as I can before I make decisions. This leads to an unnecessary stretch of time in finalizing even the meager and less effective decisions. As a result I remain insecure and non judgmental at the time of crises, I tend to remain flexible and open and thus entertain opinions and suggestion till the last moment consequently ending up with a void or a dissatisfied judgments. Even when I have finished tasks, I tend to give the impression of looking back at them and doubt whether they are satisfactory or I could have done them in a different way. As a result I have a propensity to sway with life rather than change it. This reduces my control over my life as others have a lot of influence on my decisions. ANALYSIS OF STRENGTHS & WEEKNESSES STRENGTHS Situation: In a management course a team was compiled to do market research on teenager’s perception about various value added services provided by the mobile service providers. The problem was that all my team mates were of distinct majors and had very less or no idea about how market research and trend analysis is conducted. Task: The task was to generate a questionnaire based on interviews and focus groups and then survey at least 100 respondents to identify the teenager’s preferences and discovering the reasons for which teenagers switch among their mobile service providers. Action: Being a self driven person I took it all from the front, I didn’t wait nor did I relied on others to start. I initiated the plan of our visits for interviews and focus groups and schedule them after confirming the availability and suitability of timings with the respondents. Result: With a concrete plan of action in hand I was able to move and lead my entire group and despite of having diverse members each belonging to a distinct field I instigated them to take the term project seriously and make it done not only in time but as properly as we could. Learning: Though the ultimate objective was achieved but I realized that not only I took a lot of burden on myself but also deprived other group members from participating and coming up with their ideas. I felt the lack of empathy within me because the slots which I scheduled for the interviews and focus groups were based the availability of my free sessions and not the other members. This on the other hand alienated my team members from what we were producing as they had no idea of how things were being done. To cut short they were not able to follow my pace because I didn’t give them the leverage. WEAKNESS Situation: It was during the days when I was deciding which career to opt. I was severely working out to find the pros and cons of all the options I have. I use to have dialogues with my elders who are in their professional lives and know the job market requirements of the coming years. Their suggestion was to opt IT as a career as it has a lot of scope in future whereas my close friends were of the favor to do Engineering and I with the innate objective of becoming a successful CEO having ideals like Steeve Jobs in my mind was confused to decide where to go. I knew my heart but was unable to remain determine to what it says. Action: The task was to choose one best option for the life time. My task was to turn a deaf ear on what others are saying and weigh the options I have. I did the same I assigned a value to each pros and con for every option I had. Result: The result was that I was finally able to figure one definite option for myself. Though I spent a lot of time which I could have spent on something more constructive and productive but I am glad to finally get a cure to my indecisiveness. Learning: With this most influential decision of my life I learnt that multiple opinions are likely to discourage ones decision making power and might result in something unwilling to happen. Thus a person should not get too much influence with what others say. An advice should not be taken on head as a matter of life or death. SHORT TERM OBJECTIVES Goals Actions Period Relevance To Actively Take Part In Teams I shall work in groups and try to dispense and allocate tasks among all the members equally. Feb – May 2012 The reward shall be intrinsic as It will help me deal in groups. To Become Extrovert I shall be more open to my friends and colleagues and try to confront my opinions and perceptions about things. I would try to reflect how I see things and this will enable me to communicate and shall open up doors of knowledge and information that resist because I fear asking questions. Feb - May 2012 It will make me more confident and independent. To Participate In Co Curricular Activities I will take part in co- curricular activities as often as I can like inter university challenges, debate competitions, product idea exhibitions and other forums. I shall become part of any or various societies at university which will increase my chances to deal with people and enhance my social circle. Feb – July 2012 This will again boost my confident and supplement my desire to become an extrovert and assertive person. LONG TERM OBJECTIVES Goal Action Period Relevance To Maintain a CGPA of 6 out of 7 I shall try to work hard as much as possible and keep my focus on studies. I shall maintain day to day study habits and not rely on an hour before the examination. End of this semester. This will help me earn my MBA degree with good CGPA To find an internship at an MNC I shall apply for all the opportunities available and would not procrastinate in waiting and leaving everything on destiny. End of MBA It shall make me the master of my destiny and help me obtain my vision to become the CEO of an MNC To Develop Good Interpersonal & Communication Skills I shall make reading my habit. I will read newspaper daily. I will make a library card and issue books on that to enhance my communication skills. I shall take part in various seminars and training sessions that take place in our university to polish my communication skills End of MBA This will enhance my confidence and would turn things easier to me as development of communication skill is the need of the hour. With the globalized world companies desire managers who have great communication skills and power to express. CONCLUSION The self assessment is a wonderful technique that does not only eliminate misconceptions about one personality but also direct with what improvements a person requires to bring about a positive change in its personality. The traits identify in the tests allow me to gain command over myself and capitalize upon my strengths and at the same time overcome my weaknesses that act as obstacle in my way to success. I have identified the lack of soft skills I possess which are necessary to attain my life’s vision. Now I have a plan and I know my way to improve and excel in my personal as well as professional life. REFERENCES Black, R. (2006). The psychology behind true project success. Computing Canada, 32(6), 19. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. Brandel, M. (2006). The new project manager. Computerworld, 40(15), 43-45. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. Department of Education and Training. (2010). 360 Degree Feedback. Retrieved February 18, 2011, from http://education.qld.gov.au/staff/development/ employee/school_leaders/360-degree-feedback.html DiVincenzo, T. (2006). Project managers stay in charge and out front. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 50(2) 19-25. 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