Becoming A Leader Analysis

910 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Leadership philosophies

On Becoming a Leader Synopsis
Becoming a leader in today’s world can be a daunting task. The world has become a complex mix of technical innovation, global competition, and moral and ethical collapse. In the wake of the 2008 economic crisis, Bennis (2009) stated, “The stage is littered with flawed and disappointing leaders.” Leadership theologians have had to rewrite scripts to insert current historic leadership indiscretions in the hopes that future leaders do not follow in the footsteps of past denounced leaders. It is easy for those of us today to look back and see what not to do, but it is also fair to say that going forward, some leaders are experiencing leadership paralysis due to the side-effects of bad leadership practices. In this leadership crisis, what can one do to break away and be an effective leader today? Material from leadership authors John C. Maxwell, A. Kolp & P. Rea, and Warren Bennis will be used on the next few pages in the hopes of answering this question.
It’s About You
Today the stage is set anew and opportunity abounds for those who want to become a leader. Organizations have learned that it is vital to invest in future leaders and have begun offering mentoring and leadership training. Now is the time to seize your opportunity, but you cannot benefit from your opportunity until you have done your groundwork on the inside first (Maxwell, 2003). Both Maxwell and Kolp & Rea believe that becoming a leader requires character, integrity, morals, and ethics. Some of these leadership traits are inherent while others are learned and the opportunity stands that you can change who you are in order to be want you want to be. The two basic thoughts regarding ethics are: first and foremost is to bring meaning to your ...

... middle of paper ...

... Character Mistreat others
Trust others Mistrust others
Communicate Avoid Conflicts
Build others Blame others
Do right no matter the cost Don’t discount others

These are just a few of the do’s and don’ts that are important to leadership. As we know becoming a leader is not a straight path, it is filled with twist and turns, often an agonizing process that involves dead ends and quick stops and starts before progress is seen. “Too many leaders forget that they are under scrutiny and that they could be called to account at any time. They forget that something’s being legal doesn’t mean it’s right. And they forget that what the public giveth, it can take away” (Bennis 2009). Lastly, in the class readings it has been said numerous times that it is wise to remember that as a leader it is not enough to do things right, but a must to do the right things.

Show More
Related

  • Leadership Briefing: Poor Ethical Practices Of Pharmaceutical Companies

    946 Words  | 2 Pages

    To apply this system of moral values effectively, one must understand the structural levels at which ethical dilemmas occur, who is involved in the dilemmas, and how a particular decision will affect them. In addition, one must consider how to formulate possible courses of action. Failing in any of these three areas may lead to an ineffective decision, resulting in more pain than cure.” Ken Blanchard states, “Many leaders don’t operate ethically because they don’t understand leadership; these executives may have MBA’s from Ivey League schools or have attended leadership training; they may routinely read the best-selling management books, however, they don’t understand what it means to be a leader.” They don’t model a way of ethical behaviors.

    Read More

  • Leadership Theory Summary

    825 Words  | 2 Pages

    Chapter 12.3 discusses approaches to leadership. The leadership theory of Leader-Member Exchange suggests that “leaders adopt different behaviors with individual subordinates and that the particular behavior pattern of the leader develops over time and depends, to a large extent, on the quality of the leader-subordinate relationship” (Landy & Conte, 2013, p. 494). In essence, this leadership theory references how close the leader is with the staff member. Is there a feeling of trust? Is the staff member one that holds expertise in their role that the leader can rely on? Building a relationship with a staff member doesn’t happen instantly. The relationship grows over time which can result in staff members being a close confidante to the

    Read More

  • Alex Knapp Five Leadership Lessons

    401 Words  | 1 Pages

    In five leadership lessons from James T. Kirk by Alex Knapp there are many lessons that can be learned. One of the biggest lessons is always be willing to learn. Also never be afraid to take advice. After all the best thing about advice is its free and you don't have to listen to it

    Read More

  • Critique on the Book The Leadership Challenge

    1035 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner (2007) is the result of twenty years of research on the factors that influence and create great leadership. Through studies and stories from leaders with various backgrounds throughout the world, the practices and characteristics that create great leadership are delineated. Leadership is viewed not as a group of inherent characteristics, but as learned behavior that anyone can achieve. The goal of Kouzes and Posner’s book is to inspire and educate leaders through transformational leadership. As such, leadership is about mobilizing others to become and do extraordinary things.

    Read More

  • Past Political Controversies

    2080 Words  | 5 Pages

    Joseph, James A. "Leadership And The Changing Role Of Ethics In Public Life." Lecture. Models of Ethical Leadership for a Changing World. University of Texas. Jan. 2001. Web.

    Read More

  • Authentic Leadership

    2892 Words  | 6 Pages

    The world of today is filled with successful men who have become great leaders in their field of expertise and achieved many extraordinary and remarkable things. People usually wonder what these great men have that they lack and what should they do in order to even achieve similar feats. The answer to such an intriguing and complicated looking question is surprisingly simple! It is to have a heart and the attitude of a great leader. Young men are taught that if they study hard enough and long enough, they might be able to achieve some things in life which, unfortunately, is a wrong notion proved wrong by a remarkably successful man named Bill Gates. He was a college dropout but still managed to be the founder of one of the biggest IT Mammoth – Microsoft. He is just a famous example, but there are thousands other in every corner of the world, making a mark for themselves despite their poor qualifications. Their amazing ability to manage and lead is what really sets them apart. There are sayings that leaders are born, not made, but, if you follow the life of any great leader and ask them, most will give you an answer that they learnt everything they knew through the lessons of life, an open mind & positive self motivation. These points are important if you aspire to become successful and be the guy everyone else looks up to for inspiration. There are various kinds of leadership techniques that can be learnt and imbibed by anyone who is willing to go the distance. Among the many ways of being a leader, the one that seems to be the most promising is a lately evolved concept of authentic leadership.

    Read More

  • Organizational Management Book Summary: Leader: Strategies For Taking Charge

    980 Words  | 2 Pages

    Leaders is an effective tool for summarizing and inspiring leadership, not in that it teaches tough strategies and manipulations, but that when looking at an overview of its content, Bennis and Nanus are essentially teaching human relations and human decency. All in all, this book highlights strategies for us all to be better in our lives and our everyday interactions.

    Read More

  • Ethical Leadership and Diversity

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    Currently, leadership is generally understood as a person with insight and wisdom of guidance, which expected to be efficient in management responsibilities like planning organizing, and monitoring performance (Kandola, 2004, p. 144). In addition, making ethical decision is important to individuals who value and take seriously institutional...

    Read More

  • Personal Leadership Statement

    2266 Words  | 5 Pages

    Leaders will no matter what have an influence on our world. They have missions, dreams and ambition, and with these things they are bound to go far. For leaders, what makes these dreams come true is having strong qualities such as leadership practices, values and strengths. If developed and learned how to use correctly, these are what take leaders to the next level and accomplish great things. In the following paper I will talk about leadership in our ever-changing world, explore my leadership practices, values and strengths as well as elaborate on the goals I have made to challenge myself as a leader.

    Read More

  • Reflection Paper On Am I A Leader

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout my life I have encountered the chance to experience position of being a leader. Being part of groups in university for class presentations, being the organizing secretary of my campus fellowship, being a youth leader in my church and the church admin, also being part of a family. Leaders are charismatic, inspirational and trust worthy. I have gained some important qualities of being a good leader through these experiences. Most of the valuable leadership’s characteristics that I obtained and strengthened are: learn to become a better leader every day, how to be a team player, to be a better listener, to be an effective communicator, to have more patience, not afraid of constructive criticism, to be outspoken, and to be a problem solver. Even though I have gained a lot, I still have more things to learn to become a better leader such as being more assertive, being more disciplined, becoming a better public speaker, and learn how to be realistic and not too optimistic. You are a leader if someone else choses to follow you.

    Read More

  • A Leader, By Warren Bennis 'On Becoming A Leader'

    1041 Words  | 3 Pages

    The book On becoming A Leader was written by Warren Bennis who was an American scholar, author and widely known pioneer of leadership studies. This book was published in 1989 by basic books but revised in 2003 by Perseus Publishing in Cambridge, MA. This book states the many traits, qualities and factors of becoming a leader. Bennis showcases the depths and heights of how leaders drive their followers in different situations. This book emphasizes on theories of becoming a leader, it is not a “how to” book by any means. Bennis states how leaders contribute to society and how crucial they are along with the characteristics that come along with being a leader. He provides intriguing insight about leaders and emphasizes the integrity and authenticity such people carry.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Ethical Leadership

    1684 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ethical leadership organizational ethics and socially responsibility are inseparable (Johnson). Leadership is not a inherited gift or family heritage; it is not a degree from an ivy league graduate school. Becoming a leader is an intentional process of growth that must be lived out experientially (Mullane). Ethical leaders demonstrate three distinctive characteristics, knowledge, action and character. Leaders have to have the ability to say “yes” or even “no” to a never ending series of challenges. A leader needs to be able to define their values, character and leadership style. When accepting the role of leadership you become encumbered by ethical issues and concerns. .

    Read More

  • Leadership Theory

    1819 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...adership Practices in Relation to Productivity and Morale." In D. Cartwright and A. Zander, Group Dynamics: Research and Theory, 2nd ed. (Elmsford, NY: Row, Paterson, 1960)

    Read More

  • Future Leadership: The Future Leaders Of The Future

    1613 Words  | 4 Pages

    Leaders of the future will be faced with many challenges. As the world changes, we must adapt the ways in which we face these challenges, and in turn grow as leaders. A leader is not merely someone which commands a group or organization. A good leader exhibits the ability to take an average team of individuals and achieve greatness. Leadership is not supervision or leading. It is the ability to inspire or influence others towards the end goal. As Barendsen and Gardner stated (2006), “the best leaders are individuals who, in their work, exhibit three distinct meanings of good: (1) an excellent technical and professional quality and competence, (2) an ethical orientation, and (3) a completely engaged sense of fulfillment and meaningfulness” (p. 266). Good leaders must utilize all of these traits in order to meet the challenges of the future. A few emerging challenges that future

    Read More

  • Analysis Of John Maxwell's The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership

    1044 Words  | 3 Pages

    Great leadership is not achieved over night, and it is not something that one achieves and stops. Great leaders spend entire lives building and growing their leadership skills. It is not likely that a leader will one day wake up with all of the vision, influence, knowledge, respect, and momentum necessary to be great; these take time to develop. “It is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguishes leaders from their followers.”

    Read More

More about Becoming A Leader Analysis

Open Document