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My Effective Leadership: My Personal Definition Of Leadership

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Leadership to me is not a skill that can be learned but is innate. My personal definition of leadership is someone that has the natural ability to be a true leader and doesn’t acquire learning leadership skills. I believe a leader has the influence and ability to inspire others to pursue the leader’s vision to the degree that it becomes a shared effort, a shared vision, and a shared success. Consequently, effective leadership is a trait you are born with. To a certain extent, I consider leaders are born with the desire to lead exceptionally well and the ability to be open to learning from their mistakes and predominantly to learn from other individuals they are trying to lead. Leaders inspire, rather than direct. They coach, encourage, and guide. Effective leaders earn agreement with the people about what has to be done. Leaders in my opinion are driven by stepping forward when no one else wants to, opportunity, wanting to make a change, and standing up for the better. Therefore, a good example of a person that exemplifies my definition would be Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Northouse (2012) defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal” (Northouse, 2012, p.5). He also explains that this is a process because it is something that happens between leaders and followers and both are influenced to achieve a common goal. Although some people might see others as leaders, based on certain traits or intellectual traits, leadership is all about influencing followers to attain goals. Northouse then explained that leadership is not a trait or characteristic because it is something that everyone has. On the other hand, people can argue that there might be a bit of le...

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... a long-term vision for achievement. Effective leaders manage by example and in doing so it helps develop their followers. Leaders can never grow weary of articulating their vision. They must be clear and concrete at all times. They have to help their followers see what they see. This is why I feel leaders has the influence and ability to inspire others to pursue the leader’s vision to the degree that it becomes a shared effort, a shared vision, and a shared success. Dr. King was a great example of this because he gave people something to believe in and a reason to believe in his vision. Excellent leaders such as Dr. King often have to a difficult and time consuming course to achievement. An excellent leader doesn’t withdrawn or give up when faced with a big task. Leaders should seek to promote the interests of others. I believe they genuinely want to help others.
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