Define leadership
1. Now that you have completed this course, how do you define leadership differently than before taking this class?
How has your thinking changed?
2. Think about the people in your life who have modeled leadership for you. What are the qualities that you look for most in a leader?
a) Who among them was your most influential leadership role model?
b) Please select someone you know, not a famous or historical person (unless you personally know that person).
c) Describe what the person did that makes him/her your most influential leadership role model?
d) In what ways did this person exemplify excellence as a leader? (Be as specific as you can.)
3. Good leaders model leadership.
a) Provide a list of 10 traits, skills, and characteristics of outstanding leaders and describe or define each.
b) Why do you consider these to be important to effective leadership"?
4. What does "being forward-looking" mean?
a) Why is it such an important characteristic for a leader?
b) Give examples to show how you are applying this in your life.
5. Think of a time that you or a leader you know created significant change by challenging the current processes.
a) Describe what happened.
b) What are some actions a leader can take to create a climate for change and encourage risk-taking? Be specific.
c) What would you do differently if you faced this situation again?
6. Think of a time that you or a leader you know did an effective job of recognizing excellence on the part of an employee or coworker and describe what happened.
What are some ways in which you can recognize the contribution of an individual and celebrate the accomplishments of a group?
7. Why is learning from mistakes important?
Describe a time when you have learned from a mistake.
What did you learn that you might not have learned if you hadn't made the mistake?
8. What are at least three gender differences between male and female leaders?
Redefining Leadership
- Shifting Perspective:
- A Passionate Teacher:
- a) My most influential leadership role model is Ms. Li, a high school history teacher.
- b) Ms. Li wasn't a public figure, but she had a profound impact on me.
- c) She made history come alive with her enthusiasm and storytelling. She fostered a safe space for discussion and encouraged critical thinking. She believed in each student's potential and pushed us to challenge ourselves.
- d) Ms. Li exemplified excellence by creating an inclusive learning environment that engaged all students. She led by example, demonstrating a genuine passion for history and a commitment to our education.
- 10 Key Leadership Traits:
- a) Vision: Leaders have a clear vision for the future and can articulate it in a way that inspires others. b) Communication: They excel at communication, both verbally and nonverbally, ensuring everyone is informed and understood. c) Integrity: Leaders lead by example, acting with honesty and ethical principles. d) Motivation: They inspire and motivate others to achieve their full potential. e) Empathy: Effective leaders understand and consider the perspectives and feelings of others. f) Delegation: They empower others by delegating tasks and trusting them to take ownership. g) Decision-making: Leaders can make sound decisions under pressure and in complex situations. h) Problem-solving: They approach challenges creatively and collaboratively to find solutions. i) Adaptability: Leaders can adapt to change and be flexible in their approach. j) Lifelong Learning: Effective leaders are committed to continuous learning and self-improvement.
- b) Importance of these traits: These traits are crucial for building trust, fostering collaboration, and achieving goals.
- Forward-Looking Leadership:
- a) "Being forward-looking" means having a vision for the future and taking proactive steps to achieve it.
- b) It's essential because leaders need to anticipate change, identify opportunities, and prepare their teams for the future.
- c) Examples: I apply this by setting long-term goals in my career and education, researching upcoming trends in my field, and actively seeking opportunities to learn new skills.
- Leading Change:
- a) Once, in a volunteer organization, I proposed a new fundraising strategy that differed from the traditional approach. Initially, there was resistance to change.
- b) To create a climate for change, I presented data on the potential effectiveness of the new strategy, addressed concerns openly, and emphasized the potential benefits for the organization. I also encouraged open discussion and listened to alternative suggestions.
- c) If I faced this again, I would involve stakeholders in the planning process earlier to create a sense of ownership and encourage buy-in from the beginning.
- Recognizing Contributions:
- Recognizing individual contributions: Public praise, personalized notes, rewards programs.
- Celebrating group accomplishments: Team outings, project completion celebrations, team lunches.
- Learning from Mistakes:
- Gender Differences:
- Communication Style: Women tend to be more collaborative and relationship-oriented communicators, while men may be more assertive and direct.
- Decision-Making: Women may take a more consensus-driven approach, while men may be more comfortable making unilateral decisions.
- Risk-Taking: Research suggests men may be more comfortable taking risks, while women may be more cautious.