Similarities and differences in your leadership style and leadership in your social service organization

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Articulate the similarities and differences in your leadership style and leadership in your social service organization. Which theory of leadership do you see and how does it play out in practice? Support your ideas with properly cited references from scholarly resources, which may include your text.

Sample Solution

Social service organizations often require a unique blend of leadership styles due to the nature of their work. Some aspects might align with your personal style, while others may necessitate adjustments. Here’s a breakdown of potential similarities and differences:

Similarities:

  • Shared Values:If your personal values align with the organization’s mission, leading authentically might feel similar. (Yukl, 2013)
  • Servant Leadership:Putting the needs of others first, a common trait in social service, might resonate with your personal approach. (Greenleaf, 1977)
  • Collaborative Approach:Engaging stakeholders and team members might be present in both your personal and organizational style. (Bolman & Deal, 1995)

Differences:

  • Decision-Making:Depending on your organization’s structure, you might need to adapt your usual decision-making style to incorporate shared authority or follow specific protocols.
  • Conflict Management:Navigating interpersonal conflicts within the organization might require different approaches than you typically use in personal contexts. (Lewicki & Griffin, 2015)
  • External Pressures:Leading within the constraints of funding, regulations, and social service demands might differ from your usual leadership situations.

Identifying the Leadership Theory:

To pinpoint the dominant leadership theory in your organization, consider these factors:

  • Decision-making structure:Is it top-down, collaborative, or a mix? (Burns, 1978)
  • Leader-follower dynamics:Does the leader focus on empowering followers or maintaining control? (Bass, 1985)
  • Organizational culture:Is it open and participative, or more hierarchical and task-oriented? (Schein, 1999)

By analyzing these aspects, you can identify theories like Transformational Leadership (empowering followers), Transactional Leadership (reward-based), or Bureaucratic Leadership (rules-driven).

Exploring the Theory in Practice:

Once you identify the theory, observe how it plays out in the organization. Look for:

  • Leader’s behaviors:Do their actions align with the theory’s principles?
  • Team dynamics:How does the theory impact collaboration and motivation?
  • Organizational outcomes:Does the theory seem effective in achieving organizational goals?

Remember: Leadership is complex and adaptable. Your personal style might influence the chosen theory’s implementation, and both can evolve over time.

 

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