Leadership DEVELOPMENT - Essay Example

The purpose of this study is for me, as an emerging leader, to understand the development process of becoming the leader I wish to be in the future, in my case as finance director. This understanding is to be underpinned by leadership theories. This study will help me to determine what abilities, values and skills I require to reach my goal. Also to examine if my experiences and characteristics from my past will aid me to reach my goal. As a child I did not have any burdens at all. I grew up in safe and small Stockholm, Sweden, in a well-educated, well-grounded family.

As the youngest child in the family I was treated as a little princess, with no responsibilities. At the age of 15, I moved abroad by myself to study at the Swedish school in London. Among the new friends I had gathered I quickly became a leader for the first time in my life. As a leader within my friends in London I felt a great responsibility, I made sure everyone was safe and happy. This was the first time I saw myself as a leader, and understood that I possessed some personal characteristics and traits of a leader.

From the perspective of the Great Man approach, I could see that I stood out from the rest of my friends. I was very self-confident, I was more independent then others (I lived by myself, while others lived in host families). My knowledge of my studies, the city and the nightlife there were greater than my friends. I saw things from an optimistic point of view, acted with integrity, had an inner drive and a strong desire to excel. The fact that I recognized a duty to care for my friends, that valued their thoughts and feelings and that I was able to garner their trust all show my qualities as a leader (Daft, 2008).

After a few years l began my education at Glion. I unwillingly left my safe zone, Stockholm, where my mother was dying of cancer. and I had to embark on a