Reflective Analysis of a Leadership Style - Essay Example

This study can be referred to as a reflective analysis of my leadership style. I will be making an orientation with the leadership theories. After completing the study I noticed that I show signs of situational leadership and action-centred leadership but later I also observed that I show evidence of transformational leadership.

Situational leadership states that there is hardly any superlative style of leadership. The most effective leadership style is that which gets adapted or adjusted according to the situation. In simple words, situational leadership emerges from the environment, circumstances, place and time (Aluya, 2009, p.6). It resembles similarities with democratic style, authoritarian and laissez-faire leadership styles. Situational leadership also emphasizes on directing, controlling, supporting and entrusting other styles according to the situation (Kloppenborg, Shriberg, and Venkatraman, 2003, p.7).

While on the other hand action, centred leadership was developed by John Adair in the year 1960 (Reed, 2003, p.53). It can be referred to as a simple management and leadership model, which helps to apply leadership styles according to the demand of the situation. It is represented by 3 interlocking circles namely attaining a task, monitoring the team and developing the individuals (Thomas, 2006, p.34).

Nowadays transformational leadership is considered as the catchphrase in the business market (Lang, 2011, p.1). Transformational leadership is a type of leadership where the leader recognizes the need for change, creates a sense of duty, raises learning experiences and achieves it by stimulating new and innovative ways of thinking (Griffin, 2010, p.566). In other words, it tries to gauge the proper leadership style for a specific situation (Lussier, 2011, p.338).

However out of the mentioned behavioural style I portray a democratic style. Although I am a follower of situational leadership, I also adopt leadership styles according to the need of the situation.

In an office event, I was given the duty of entirely organizing a cultural event. The cultural event will have some of the eminent celebrities taking part. I knew that in the course of the event, I have to devote most of my time towards the activities related to it. Also, I could not give time to my family which is strictly against my principles. I always believe family comes first before anybody else.

In the event, I have authorized some individuals to look after a few areas. Since I thought that would not be able complete the entire process on my own. Therefore it is always better to authorize somebody else to accomplish the task. I have selected some of my colleagues whom I think have the capability of leadership.

I was very much confident in them and they also relied on me. When the event was supposed to take place, I noticed that everything was in place and finally the event was completed successfully. The upper management of the organization praised me for my work. I also acknowledged it and congratulated my teammates as they were instrumental towards the completion of the project. I felt that I am also very much attached to my colleagues and remain true to myself.

I work in a small consultancy firm which comprises only 10 employees. The work culture is fine and there is no issue from the top management until there is degradation in the performance. Everybody in the office pretends to be fine, but I do not feel the same. I know there are issues which need to sort out. I understood that colleagues are not coming out with their issues due to the fear of losing their job. I stood out and asked my colleagues to give suggestions on how issues could be resolved. According to the colleagues they wanted an intermediary and a monthly meeting by which problems can be wiped out. I presented the suggestions to the management and they accepted it. Now I act as their intermediary. The above circumstances can be related to action-centred leadership. In the scenario, I was the person to gauge the problems and also offered solutions. Phillips and Pitman state that a good leader symbolizes the ethnicity of the community (Phillips and Pittman, 2009, p.123). Also, Lyman pointed out that trustworthy leaders do their best to ensure that the employees follow others based on commitment and not conformity (Lyman, 2011, p.69). I was also a trustworthy person in my office and that is the reason probably that colleagues believed in me.

I can conclude I am a person exhibiting fair leadership qualities. Generally, I demonstrate leadership styles like situational leadership, transformational leadership and action-centred leadership. I have always tried my level best to maintain a fair relationship with my colleagues and also with my friends & family. However there are certain periods when even applying leadership skills, the outcome is not according to the desire. In other words, I would like to clarify that regularly, leadership behaviour does not work according to the wish.

My research also aware me that to remain in context of the leadership skills I also need to change myself according to the changing environment. Therefore I may undertake a behavioural theory to serve the purpose as it depends upon the atmosphere and mood.