Section 3 (approx. 4 pages)
Section 3 is about reflection and critical thought as it relates to self-understanding.
What are your top three strengths/skills/abilities related to leadership? How do those equip you to become a better leader? What are two skills or abilities that you need to develop to become a better leader? Why are those important and how can you develop those skills and abilities?
Section 3 Reflection
“What are your top three strengths/skills/abilities related to leadership?”
It is debatable whether someone is born with leadership skills or has to develop them. Certain traits are required of effective leaders. People can either learn particular qualities or are born with them.
Personal characteristics of effective leaders
A great leader has an ideal personality. Gaining the confidence of followers is essential for a leader to effectively lead them. A leader has to be respected for living a moral life and for being trustworthy. A capable leader “walks the walk” and gains the authority to be held responsible for others as a result. True leadership is built on respect for a person’s integrity and dependability. An effective leader is committed to their position, their cause, and their leadership duties (Fleck et al. 2019). People will respond more directly to someone motivated and enthusiastic. The ability to inspire people to take the required action or support the desired cause is a skill that leaders must possess.
Even if a leader’s tasks and accountability may vary, they must still be viewed as an essential member of the team working toward the objective. Such a leader does not mind getting their hands dirty or donning an apron. A confident leader emanates strength.
Leaders must exude self-assurance in both their abilities and their capacity to guide and persuade others. Such a person inspires others with their self-assurance, gains their trust, and marshals the team’s best efforts to successfully finish the assignment. When the team leader radiates confidence in the outcome they want, the team members give it their all (Zeike et al. 2019). A leader must maintain order and focus when things are unclear. People look to a leader for stability and comfort amid times of unpredictability and unfamiliarity when that leader exhibits confidence and a positive attitude.
Good leaders can remain calm in the face of uncertainty and keep their attention on the main goal. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go, but a good leader recognizes them as necessary components of the journey and keeps his or her cool (Nieuwboer et al. 2019). An excellent leader is analytical in their thinking and keeps their focus on the main objective. In addition to seeing a problem as a whole, a successful leader can break it down into more manageable, smaller parts for further analysis. The objective is not just clear; a great leader can divide it into doable steps and move closer to it. A capable leader is dedicated to doing their job correctly. Failure results from giving less than your utmost effort. A good leader aggressively raises the bar to achieve excellence everywhere and continuously sets high standards.
“How do those equip you to become a better leader?”
A great leader must possess these character traits. Leaders may be more prone to exhibit particular personality qualities. However, each of these qualities might be improved. Regardless of whether these traits are natural or not, a good leader will work to cultivate them as part of their leadership style. I can stay calm and preserved, which will help me to articulate any major decision with all my cool. Having good and strong communication will also help my negotiation skills, which is one of the most important aspects of leading an organization.
“What are two skills or abilities that you need to develop to become a better leader?”
A leader must be dependable and well-known for living an honest and honorable life. Respect for the excellent character and trustworthiness of the individual who leads is the source of true authority. A leader plays a pivotal role in the management of a company. A major part of the company’s decision-making, recruitment, and management of any project depends on the leader. Though there are many qualities that one must possess to be a good and effective leader, I believe that self-awareness and negotiation skills will help me the most to make me a better leader. I believe that focusing on a few character attributes can help me become a better leader. One of the most crucial leadership skills that people in positions of responsibility must achieve is self-awareness (Zeike et al. 2019).
Furthermore, because situational awareness is critical for self-management, I would want to practice it. Until and unless I am aware of myself unless I know what is happening around me unless I know how to manage myself, I will not be able to manage any company. Being aware of self will also aid in staying up to date with all the happenings around the world. My major goal is to improve my ability to communicate effectively. Finally, I would like to improve my negotiation skills. In the business world, negotiation plays the most important role in managing and contracting deals.
A better negotiation skill will always aid in better revenue collection and an increase in the rate of profit earned by the company. This can be done only by making my communication skills effective. Effective communication skills will make sure that there are no loopholes, and that the entire process of the business is meted out smoothly, with proper cooperation among the workforce (Zeike et al. 2019). Moreover, good communication skills will also add to the effectiveness of the management of the organization.
Negotiation skills are basic in different bits of life, however, they are particularly tremendous in business. In the ongoing persevering economy, the capacity to capably coordinate is an exceptionally respected association brand name. Other high-profile purposes for living and CEOs require magnificent negotiation limits (Fleck et al. 2019). Having extraordinary abilities to deal with may be the separation between an effective and inadequate understanding. Firms that fittingly deal increment their fundamental concern as well as their standing.
Negotiation limits are fundamental in business, yet moreover in ordinary presence. The negotiation requires a relationship between the pioneer’s skills like a way of thinking game-plan, correspondence, putting down some a reasonable compromise, effect, and comparability building. To be more unequivocal, to find a decent blueprint, middle people should research an issue while contemplating each party’s advantages and sorting out its associate’s longings. An awe-inspiring middle person looks for areas of shared income, and supportive energies, and investigates their rival to perceive shared characteristics to address going before the negotiation meeting.
“Why are those important and how can you develop those skills and abilities?”
Leaders must be present at all organizational levels and respond quickly to continuously changing demands when presented with difficult decisions. One’s leadership is always on display, and it may be utilized to determine how engaged a certain employee is. Rapid decision-making needs immediate answers, actions, and impacts (Karagianni & Jude Montgomery, 2018). The boss must stay with the decision no matter what, even if the team members find it difficult and unpopular. As important as the decision itself is the buy-in that comes with it. The effectiveness of the team and the company will be impacted by your leadership style (Karagianni & Jude Montgomery, 2018).
I can successfully lead others if I am completely aware of who I am. As a leader, I must be conscious of both my advantages and disadvantages. To identify your leadership style, I must be able to honestly assess myself. Being aware of my surroundings is a trait of natural leadership. Knowledge of both internal and external events that have an impact on the organization is essential (Nieuwboer et al. 2019). The best leaders are always conscious of their environment.
Strong communicators are seen as leaders who can communicate well. In any organization, if I can effectively communicate with others, I can manage and lead them. People will appreciate me if I have this excellent leadership characteristic, and issues will not emerge. Negotiation skills are a must for effective leaders. Any company must have the power to negotiate contracts. It creates a scenario in which everyone benefits and raises the possibility of reaching the desired outcome (Fleck et al. 2019). The ability to successfully bargain is one of the leadership qualities necessary to advance up the corporate ladder and into a senior position.
The majority of people would identify the same traits as good leaders if asked to describe them. Examples include being direct and honest, employing effective delegating techniques, being dedicated to one’s work, being innovative, adopting a positive approach, and, maybe most importantly, having trust in one’s abilities. Understanding my strengths may make it simpler for me to locate colleagues who are similar to or complement my skills, enabling me to capitalize on their enthusiasm while also recognizing and addressing any weaknesses to improve the team as a whole.
References
Fleck, J. A., Threeton, M. D., & Ewing, J. C. (2019). Important leadership skills for career and technical education administrators. Career and Technical Education Research, 44(1), 40-56.
Karagianni, D., & Jude Montgomery, A. (2018). Developing leadership skills among adolescents and young adults: a review of leadership programs. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 23(1), 86-98.
Nieuwboer, M. S., van der Sande, R., van der Marck, M. A., Olde Rikkert, M. G., & Perry, M. (2019). Clinical leadership and integrated primary care: a systematic literature review. European Journal of General Practice, 25(1), 7-18.
Zeike, S., Bradbury, K., Lindert, L., & Pfaff, H. (2019). Digital leadership skills and associations with psychological well-being. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(14), 2628.
