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Identify and describe leadership traits of your selected leader.

For my field placement, I am supervised by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), M.V., at a county contracted agency in Los Angeles. Northouse (2012) describes traits as qualities for an individual. Hence, M.V. shares qualities for many traits that define her leadership traits. The first trait that I identified M.V. with having is intelligence, because of her superior language skills and knowledge about the program and agency (Northouse, 2012). Furthermore, M.V.’s intelligence allows her to be well respect at the agency, because of her appropriate decision making and hard work ethic. Staff members and interns respect M.V., because she is always the person to answer questions when they are unsure about specific procedures and policies. Moreover, M.V.’s intelligence allows her to also possess the trait of confidence. Northouse (2012) defines confidence as leaders that feel self-assured and feeling positive about one’s ability to succeed. Since M.V. is often the supervisor many view as a strong leader, her confidence comes from understanding the ability to make the decisive decisions. Furthermore, because of M.V.’s decisive leadership, her confidence allows people to be reluctant to question her decisions at the agency. Another trait M.V. shares is determination, which allows her to be focused and have the drive to complete difficult tasks in a timely manner (Northouse, 2012). Combined with her confidence and intelligence, M.V. is always determined to have perfect client files and notes finished in a timely manner. Moreover, M.V. takes the initiative to come in early and finish work later than other staff in order to complete administrative tasks at the agency. Alt...

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... Although M.V. has much experience and knowledge over many of the staff members and interns, she must learn to handle conflict, as she often uses an authoritarian approach in solving many issues in her program. M.V.’s change towards mindful and empathetic will greatly increase her leadership ability to improve the program, as she will gain greater insight and improve happiness among the staff and interns. M.V.’s behavior of perceiving her staff and interns positively will assist their work ethic, Theory Y, as she will view them as self-motivated, liking work and accepting responsibility (Northouse, 2012). M.V.’s vision to improve the organization lies with her dedication in working for the agency for over a decade, but she may also find best practices to improve the organization with other great opinions from the staff and interns by being mindful of their feedback.