The Art of Leadership - Essay Example

Step 1

In our day to day, activities will usually encounter with many experiences which accompanying themselves with at least one lesson for learning. It is for this and different reasons that I have had a lot to learn in my current leadership position of a research panel tasked with the duty of coming up with formidable resolutions towards the challenges faced by the girl child in the third world countries. Being a leader requires a lot of courage and self-confidence to manage a given team under the set guidelines and objectives.

Step 2

The Leadership Equation

In the recent times, many have resonated with the subject of leadership. Even though it is perceived to be the most common and quite a simple term, leadership remains to be a challenging concept whose meaning lingers on its multifaceted composition and complexity. Consequently, within the realm of this subject, a debate has often emerged in determining if leadership is an inborn trait or an acquired trait. Some have since contended that leadership is inherent rather than acquired. On the other hand, many have claimed that leaders are not born but created. From an individual point of view, I would argue that leaders are neither conceived nor are they made. However, they are molded by particular circumstances in which they motivate a given team to greatness.

In regards to the above clarification, one would, therefore, seek to find the true definition of leadership. The term leadership has a variety of definitions. However, Manning and Curtis characterized it as an act of managing activities of an organized team in its mission to set objectives and furthermore accomplish particular goals (2012). Leadership is more or less as an influence exercised in a given situation via communication for specific goal attainment. Nevertheless, I am in possession of a variety of traits, behavior, qualities and style that make me a good leader for the research panel.

My leadership traits comprise of adventurous spirit, perceptiveness and aggressiveness. From a tender age, I often achieved my bold goals as a result of being ambitious and passionate. A good leader is one who offers a perspective to the opinions of his or her team members, a trait that has facilitated a good relationship with my team. As a leader, I came to learn that being a little bit aggressive may be of great significant when working under tight deadlines. Being directive, supportive and charismatic have stood out to be some of my behavior leadership skills. In line with my leadership qualities such as been open to change, I have since incorporated new ideas from the team members towards the attainment of the set goals.

My leadership style is one that I lead by an example underlining the importance of working as a team within the established guidelines and objectives. My team members are individuals who are hardworking, disciplined and goal oriented. Given the time limit of three months and clear purpose of coming up with solid resolutions to the challenges faced by the girl child in third world countries, I would say that these conditions are favorable, and it would be right to offer my leadership services to my assigned team.

The Power of Vision

The girl child in the third world countries has often been on the verge of facing various life challenges ranging from lack of education, female genital mutilation to forced earlier marriages. There is no doubt that languishing in poverty is one of the key determinants behind the challenges faced by these girls who would rather sacrifice anything just to get educated. Right now as a leader of research panel I envision the world where the girl child can comfortably grasp the available opportunities and fight for her rights in this current society. One of the accomplishment that I would wish to realize together with my team is the provision of reliable solutions to the growing menace to the girl child in third world countries. Awarding scholarships to these girls is on top of the list of the said resolutions. My leadership provision at this situation is rather for achievement and affiliation than for power. Subsequently, my keen interest in offering guidance services hugely rely upon my self-confidence and emotional intelligence.

The Importance of Ethics

The code of ethics often guides leaders in determining discipline procedures and acceptable behavior of all members of a given team. Consequently, ethical leadership entails the understanding of one’s essential values and encompassing them to the various aspects of life such as compassion, honesty, and integrity. As an ethnic leader, I usually base my actions on moral principles regardless of personal loss or gain and without regard to social influence. Doing what you believe is correct and beneficial for the group paying little heed to obstructions or the suppositions of others is the embodiment of individual leadership. It will further encourage the team members to achieve this same level of ethical standards. Leadership styles do vary from one person to another, but I usually prefer, to be more honest, uphold both my respect and concern not only to the team members but also to the general public. With ethical leadership, the conviction and courage within me usually persuade others to follow my footsteps to greatness.

The Empowerment of People

Empowerment is all about entrusting one with the aspect of decision making in any situation case. In this regards, I would argue that my leadership capacity comes along with the authority of making amends and having the final say in a decision-based circumstance. Otherwise, the essential obligation of leaders is to exercise and control their delegated powers.

From a personal perspective, I would say that being a leader is an opportunity of serving others rather than commanding and demanding better outcomes. Various studies show that the productivity of an organized group is usually high if its leader assists rather than command. Before embarking on the mission of empowering people, there is a need to implement an environment for this quest. After which the provision of appropriate tools and equipment to tackle particular task will be necessary. To develop a high-performance workplace, I would advocate for the following steps: develop a winning mentality, develop the necessary principles and apply the principles.

Leadership Principles

Leaders are in a good position to identify the right leadership principles for their followers based on the past experiences. As a result, the application of the chosen principles is what will determine the successful efforts of any given organized group. The following list comprises of the leadership principle that I will practice helping my followers to be effective: one, having a long term vision. Two, leading from the front to set an example. Three, follow the core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selflessness, courage, honesty, and integrity. Four, create a culture of excellence. Five, maintain confidence and tranquility.

Apart from the principles as mentioned above, development of communication, teamwork, and one team attitude also plays a significant role in any given group. Communication skills are a key segment of a productive group. One strategy of enhancing communication skills is to include it in training programs. Otherwise, as a leader, I would advocate for personal goals setting to improve communication skills for each follower and rewarding those who will meet these aims. With proper disclosure in place, individuals will be in a position to work as a team having a focus on the set objectives. A combination of both excellent communication and teamwork will boost the morale of one team attitude.

Understanding People

In the earlier times, leaders were perceived to be individuals who needed energy and vision. However, the subsequent years saw a transformation in the leadership concept through various influential theories. As a result, great leaders are now known to possess four extraordinary qualities. The essential quality of exceptional leaders is that they accurately uncover their shortcomings. By doing so, the notion that they leaders are also approachable is easily depicted. Likewise, it builds up the climate of trust and further galvanize responsibility. The second quality of leaders is that they have a heavy dependence on instinct to gauge the proper planning and course of activities. This quality comes in handy as it assists leaders to sense trouble without being told. The third quality of exceptional leadership is the ability to oversee adherents with intense compassion. The final quality of first class leaders is that they capitalize on their disparities. They further utilize their uniqueness to make a social separation and signal distance which in turn reflects the better performance of team members.

The above four qualities are essential towards understanding the nature and needs of people to be led. Leaders should consider the opinions on how people would prefer their leadership strategies to be. Leaders governed some of the individuals who will at one time develop an interest for their role. It is therefore in the best interests to nurture and guide such individuals instead of seeing them as a possible threat. Motivation is also another key aspect that needs to be noticed by leaders if prime objectives are to be achieved. In many cases, recognition and awards are some of the methods deployed to motivate the team members by leaders. Making assurances always work out for me when persuading my team members into taking actions. However, I usually make sure that my previous promises are fulfilled before making new ones.

Multiplying Effectiveness

The role of leadership often comes with its challenges that may also limit one's efficacy in this given capacity. Otherwise, an excellent and efficient leader requires to have a clear vision and to make strong actions that would, in turn, change concepts to reality. Likewise, one is expected to concentrate on few key territories that will have the most remarkable effect on transforming one's vision and objectives into reality. The philosophical ideology behind winning is for one first to learn and later put into practice whatever was learned. In this respects, leaders need always to sharpen their art to wind up more effective. From a personal outlook, I would consider the following six approaches to increase my leadership effectiveness. One, making a clarification of my leadership vision. Two, building my emotional intelligence. Three, treating people right. Four, learning from past mistakes. Five, finding great mentors. Six, being more committed.

The notion of teamwork also implies delegating duties and authority to others. The significance of this act is that if the leader is absent then work shall proceed as normal instead of been put to a halt. An average team is comprised of a leader and the members. However, it would be appropriate if one individual is chosen among the team members to act as a vice leader. The vice leader will take charge of the leadership role whenever the leader is away and see that all objectives are achieved. The effectiveness of leadership is sometimes enhanced when different personalities report to the leader. I have often viewed this as the possibility of meeting the necessary needs of my team and achieving results in line with the set goals.

Developing Others

An organization is known to be a collection of people who work and manage their action to achieve a wide variety of goals. These goals are what most existing groups tend to accomplish while the ability to meet goals is what determines a successful organization. As a leader, one ought to attract and keep good people who will work passionately towards achieving the set goals. The primary method of doing so is to acknowledge that the behavior style and ways differ from each member of an organization. The individual difference happens to have an impact on the feelings, thoughts and behavior of each member of a group. In my leadership capacity, I usually appreciate people who possess the willingness of developing and training. As a result, I will always be ready to help people through change as I maintain a positive attitude of exploration, responsibility, and commitment.

Performance Management

I am of the sentiment that a good leader ought to set high goals, reinforce good performance and correct performance problems. The set high goals will play a significant role in directing the group's contribution towards specific duties. Otherwise augmenting for good performance will remind the members of what is expected of them- to deliver the best of their best. Duties may not be performed to perfection always, and sometimes the performance may go wrong. But a good leader will always strive to correct these performance problems and offer the necessary solutions to evade future disappointments. The ability to lead as an example is both my strength and weakness in the area of statesmanship. Learning from my mistakes and sometimes setting unrealistic goals are my strength and weakness respectively in the entrepreneurial area. Being flexible to change and people is my key concentration in the field of innovation. As a leader, I am in possession of the paradoxical qualities of personal humility and firm resolve. Being humble does not necessarily mean that I am shy. However, the humility in me happens to be essential as it assists in winning the confidence of team members.

Step 3

The prediction outcome of the given task at hand involves coming up with formidable resolutions towards the challenges faced by the girl child in third world countries. I would predict "scholarship awarding" to be the first on the list of possible resolutions. The above nine key dimensions of leadership are deeply embedded in my given position as the leader of the research panel. For instance in multiplying my leadership effectiveness members are divided into two and given a particular task to handle. The successfulness of lighting the path and encouraging others to follow lies within my capability of leading as an example especially in completing given tasks in line with the set guidelines and objectives. Definitely my ideas and actions as a leader should show the way and influence the behavior of others. As I lead by an example the rest of the team member have to emulate my steps and actions thereby coordinating our efforts to ensure a high level of organizational performance.