In developing this idea of what leadership is, I examined what was most important to me in being a leader. Since leadership is such a broad term, this could not be a process whereby I could generalize leadership for everyone. Rather, the task is to determine who I am as a leader. I asked myself, what is it that shapes the vision? What are the factors that comprise a leader, and what makes these things add up to create something larger than ourselves as leaders? Thoughtful reflections on these things lead me to generate the following definition of leadership: Leadership is about more than simply having followers; it is not a title, and it is not achieved by just following a few principles. Leadership is complex, though at its core, it is having the courage to make the right choices – not just the popular ones, engaging others in a vision, and empowering followers to pursue a shared purpose of achieving a positive, lasting impact. My leadership philosophy has been shaped by several factors, the first of which is the knowledge of self. I am a firm believer that until you know yourself first, you are not able to meet your fullest potential as a leader. The greatest relationships exist when each person knows first themselves and what they bring to the table, impacting all leader/follower relationships. The leader approaches the relationship confidently, knowing that the leader and follower can mutually benefit from their interaction. One of the most important things that I have done in terms of my personal development is to identify my core values. Possibly the most critical step to becoming an effective leader is to determine and understand one’s core values. Many of my values are a result of my childhood; however, t... ... middle of paper ... ...d is constantly changing, and to keep up, one must be prepared to take on opportunities that will result in continued growth and learning. Ultimately, these values are all inter‐connected. It takes great courage to lead with authenticity and integrity. Integrity inspires service and respect for others. Living authentically and with integrity enables the leader to develop their passions, resulting in a commitment to hard work and dedication, as well as growth and learning. Pushing through the challenges of a full commitment to this lifestyle of leadership requires a sense of humor, and a willingness to re‐align one’s life to one’s passions. I think that when we truly commit ourselves to understanding ourselves as leaders, as well as learn to understand our followers and the relationship that exists between leader and follower, there is potential for great change.
The chapter “Clarify What’s Important to you” introduces several successful leaders and many praiseworthy values to me. Although each leader comes from different environments and possesses different characters, all of them keep their precious values in mind and persist in chasing their ideal lives. Even if each value can be interpreted by different meanings, they all lead encourage individuals to become better.
They have profound convictions for for their leadership; Their behavior always reflect their core values and they view themselves as individuals that “lead with their hearts as well as their heads while also building enduring organizations” (George 2003). Leaders are encouraged to maintain the perception of authenticity but making sure that their words are consistent and reflect their action or intentions. They should not be so pompous and arrogant that they cannot relate to or find mutual and common ground with their staff. (Goffee & Jones 2005)
I believe that leadership is something that should be earned. Whoever is the most qualified and passionate should be the person who leads, not the most popular. I believe that having integrity and expecting it at all times from your team is the best way to operate. I believe that leaders cannot always be the “good guys” in every situation. I believe that it is important to find people who will help you most achieve your goal, but ones who are loyal, passionate, and want to grow personally. Mutual respect in any situation will allow for people to speak their minds, even if it is difficult. I want to help my team members find their passions and help them succeed outside of our organization. I believe that leadership is about encouraging
Leaders are role models for those around them, a collection of experiences and moral values. Passion, purpose, and people are the foundation of what it means to be a team and a professional. Without the proper motivations and guidance, even the most determined can fall short of success. My leadership philosophy is with the premise of the principles of being, knowledge, or conduct. Professional conduct is demonstrated through work ethic, patience, and humility, others will be motivated to give more than just themselves. Two simple rules provide a guideline. First, everything you promise to complete do it to the greatest of your abilities. Second, never impede on the accomplishments or successes of others.
Peter Drucker once stated “Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations.” This quote is a motto for my life, I am always looking to uplift people and help them better their selves. Joining the United States Coast Guard will aid me in becoming a better leader. Honor, respect, and devotion to duty are the core values of the United States Coast Guard. These three core values have been instilled in me from my upbringing. Without core values, I would not have accomplished many goals.
Developing a personal philosophy of leadership is essential for every leader to establish prior to becoming a leader. A leader should be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and then develop a philosophy that would best compliment that leader’s personality traits and strengths as a person. Leaders need to have their personal philosophy established prior to becoming a leader because once you are in a position of leadership it is time to lead others, not time to determine what philosophy would be best used to lead. I truly believe that a personal philosophy of leadership should be fluid as the leader continues to learn about leadership and people throughout the leader’s career but the four core principles of integrity, ethics, positive attitude and honesty must remain constant.
To become an authentic leader means to bring “people together around a shared purpose and empowers them to step up and lead authentically in order to create values for all stakeholders,” (xxxi). Bill George has identified the following five dimensions every authentic leader should encompass:
The first and most important quality of leadership in business is to always act ethically and honestly, whether you are dealing with a subordinate or a superior. By acting ethically and honestly, a leader promotes similar attitudes in others in the company. One suggestion is to make a list of the values that the brand represents and post them prominently in the office. This emphasizes core beliefs and encourages others to promote them as well.
Self-leadership is a concept that can be addressed in regards to the degree of which the processes that influence the self are characterized by responsibility, authenticity, and the increase of capacity. The importance and significance of higher-level standards is encompassed through authenticity (e.g., pondering the why, what, and how of self-influence). Corporate social responsibility shares the commonly understood elements of self-responsibility. Capacity is the growth and expansions of ones self-leadership potential. This can enhance results and create authentic as well as responsible ends (Manz, 2015).
Learning from others formed my leadership philosophy. I took pieces from all my great leaders and formed principles that I stand by. I do not believe leadership is dictating others. I believe leadership is taking contributions from team members and directing them to a successful outcome. My philosophy is that all team members have something to offer the team. I believe in giving all team members the opportunity to learn and grow. When all team members are involved, it is likely everyone will feel involved and valued. Leaders maximize their team’s potential, in order to do this, the team has to work
...ers so that they will try to be a better person each and every day. I want my leadership to encourage others and help them grow as a person. I want my leadership to help others more than help myself. If my leadership is helping others achieve their goals in life, then I will be happy. My leadership philosophy is basically all about helping others. Leaders will be remembered for what they did for others not what they did for themselves.
Leaders are the individuals who help to create options and opportunities. They help in identifying the choices and solve the problems. They build commitment and coalitions. Leaders do this by inspiring others and working along with them to construct the shared vision of the possibilities and commitments of a better group, organization or community. They engage the followers in such a way that most of the followers become leaders in their own right. The variety of demands of an increasingly complex world very often require that leadership be shared by most of the members of an organization, in appropriate ways for different situations. A leader is the on...
Although I have many core values, including diligence, happiness, helpfulness, true friendship, freedom, and intelligence, the most significant in my life are love, morality, honesty, and forgivingness. Throughout my life, these particular values have proved key to becoming the person I wished to be. “The term leadership involves our self-images and moral codes” (Values in Leadership). In order to lead and to be someone who upholds their values, one must be fully aware of what is important to them and what drives them.
Throughout my life, my experiences and role models have shaped my understanding of leadership. I believe leadership is responsibly guiding and motivating others to use both my strengths and their own to obtain success. My personal leadership philosophy is guided by my core values of my family, relationships, loyalty, harmony, and responsibility. My ever-changing definition of philosophy helps my leadership and decision making routinely. New experience’s and external forces effect my translation of leadership daily which, in turn, helps shape me into a successful leader.
When people think of leadership so many things rush through their heads. For example am I a leader, am I apart of a group that has a leader, and what does being a leader mean? A common definition of being a leader is a person who leads or guides a group of people. So now knowing the definition of a leader who pops into your head; Phil Jackson, Mike Krzyzewski, Martin Luther King Jr.? All of these people are great leaders, but the real question is why are they so great? One very important thing that all these men have in common is they have a philosophy of leadership. This philosophy is going to help guide these men during turbulent times, or when they need guidance themselves. Nobody is perfect and everyone needs direction no matter how wise or gifted you are. I am no different, which is why writing this philosophy of leadership is going to be a fruitful experience for years to come.