Personal Reflection: My Definition Of Leadership

1. My definition of leadership is someone who is competent, straightforward, supportive, and inspiring. I prefer to be challenged, given instruction and then empowered to move forward with a task. Upon completion, I like to meet with my manager present my results and discuss what needs adjustment going forward. This feedback offers constructive criticism, reflection and a returning challenge.

2. Negative/Abandoning: My first two senior leaders were old school. They were competent, determined and successful; but often brash and unapproachable. Once they trained you, you better have sucked their knowledge up like a sponge, because going back for seconds, was not an opinion. Enhancing your knowledge and competing for their admiration was the culture of our shop and it either broke you or made you aspire to rise to

According to my DISC outcome, I scored equally in dominance and influence. Traits that I recognize in myself are; power, prestige, challenges, impulsiveness, enthusiasm and expecting immediate results. I am impatient with people who are slow, calculated and cautious. Metaphorically, I am the Hare to the Tortoise. While these traits have some benefits in times of immediate action, they often hinder my working relationships.

Based on the LPI 360 feedback, three leadership behaviors that I want to improve upon include:

1. COMMUNICATION: Ask for feedback about my actions or decisions. Active listening to others points of view. Try not to interrupt. Communicate the big picture, common vision for the future. I am an energetic, animated, creative and flexible individual. I have a tendency to get so wrapped up in a project or purpose that I will speak too quickly and often over someone else in order for my point of view to be heard first. I recognize this when I am interacting with my coworkers and read the frustration on their face. My coworkers know that they will not hurt my feelings if they are honest in telling me to calm down and