Many well-known leaders wrote and continue to write in journals, reflecting on their actions and decisions in their leadership roles. These reflections allow leaders to revisit their choices and learn how to improve their actions and decisions to become more effective leaders in the future.
Write a reflective paper describing your leadership style and skills. Reflect on what you have learned throughout the course, and think about how you can use this knowledge to further your career. Use the results of your self-assessments, leadership map, and other course materials to guide your reflection. Begin your reflection with a single statement that concisely summarizes your leadership style and approach. The statement should be one that you could later share on LinkedIn or your resume. You could also use it to guide your professional development.
Leadership Approach:
Leadership Skills: Describe your primary leadership skills and describe how these skills will help you effectively lead a team. Additionally, describe skills or attributes you would like to develop and improve upon in order to become a better leader.
Leading and Following: Explain the importance of being able to both lead and follow when working as part of a team, along with how well you are able to lead and follow on a team while in a leadership role.
Leadership Style: Describe your personal leadership style and explain how you intend to use that style when working with a diverse, dynamic team.
Leadership Approach: I believe in leading through collaboration and empowerment, fostering a culture of trust and transparency where every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.
Leadership Skills:
Communication and Active Listening: I excel at clearly communicating my vision and goals while actively listening to and understanding the perspectives of others. This allows me to build consensus, resolve conflict, and ensure everyone feels heard.
Teamwork and Collaboration: I thrive in collaborative environments, actively seeking input from others and valuing diverse opinions. This fosters a sense of shared ownership and accountability within the team.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: I strive to understand the motivations and perspectives of my team members, creating a safe space for open dialogue and constructive feedback. This allows me to build trust and support individual growth.
Skills to Develop:
Delegation and Empowerment: While I encourage input and collaboration, I recognize the need to delegate effectively and empower team members to take ownership of their tasks. This involves fostering their confidence and providing the necessary support for them to succeed.
Conflict Resolution: While I am comfortable with open communication, I can refine my skills in navigating complex conflicts and fostering a productive resolution process.
Leading and Following: I understand the importance of both leading and following, recognizing that leadership is not a hierarchical concept but a fluid dynamic within a team. I’m comfortable taking the lead when necessary but equally value the expertise and contributions of others, willingly following when appropriate.
Leadership Style: My style leans towards a transformational leadership approach. I aim to inspire and motivate my team by aligning them towards a shared vision, promoting their individual growth, and celebrating collective achievements. This involves creating a positive and inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their unique skills and perspectives.
Working with Diverse Teams: My approach to leading diverse, dynamic teams centers around building trust, fostering open communication, and understanding individual needs. I will actively seek to learn from different perspectives, promote inclusion and respect, and ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
Utilizing Course Knowledge: This course has provided me with invaluable insights into different leadership styles, frameworks, and practical tools. I plan to leverage these learnings by:
Implementing collaborative decision-making processes: Utilizing techniques like brainstorming and team voting to empower collective ownership and increase engagement.
Applying emotional intelligence principles: Actively listening, providing constructive feedback, and fostering open communication to create a supportive environment for my team.
Leveraging coaching and mentoring skills: Providing regular feedback, guidance, and opportunities for growth to individual team members to support their development.
By continuously applying and refining these skills, I aim to become an effective and impactful leader who inspires and empowers my team to achieve exceptional results.