Leadership
How do you define leadership?
Leadership can be defined as the position of guiding and empowering others to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Depending on the specific scenario, leadership manifests in multiple forms and dimensions. Some leaders act as mere managers, delegating authority to team members while providing a cohesive vision for the future. Other leaders are more thoroughly visionary or charismatic, and rely on other people to be in charge of the practical aspects of management. All leaders share in common a sense of vision and purpose, and a desire to mentor and guide with the goal of effecting positive change.
Why are you excited about being a leader?
I am excited about being a leader because I have a lot of energy and passion to share, and leadership allows me to transfer that energy and passion into something constructive and tangible. A position of leadership allows me to work with others to help all of us achieve common goals. I am excited to improve myself, especially to improve my public speaking and communication skills. Stretching beyond my comfort zone is also important for me, as leadership will involve being challenged every day. I am excited about the confidence that leadership will inspire, and the clear rewards that leaders earn in terms of status, personal gratification, and remuneration. Leadership also allows me to put my skills and learning to use.
What are your key values?
My key values are honesty, integrity, passion, and empowerment. Without honesty and integrity, a team cannot survive. However, without passion, a team cannot succeed. Therefore, I stress the value of passion in my approach to leadership. We all know that leaders need honesty and integrity, or else they will lack the credibility needed to succeed in the long run. The importance of passion is less celebrated,...
A leader must have both vision and the passion to ensure that that vision can come to fruition via hard work and determination. Empowerment is another value that many leaders ignore or conveniently forget. It is too easy for a leader to become drunk with his or her own status and power and refrain from sharing that power with others. Sharing power with others actually has the effect of bolstering the leader as well as the members of the team. Empowerment means encouraging others, supporting others, and helping others to be the leaders of the future. When team members are empowered, they exceed expectations.
What will be your expectations for your team?
I expect a lot from my team. There is no reason to be surrounded by losers in a competitive working environment, which is why I have a team comprised only of movers, shakers, and winners. My team will achieve its goals, because the individuals that comprise my team will be empowered. I expect that each and every team member will push past their comfort zones, and achieve what they never before dreamed possible. I expect my team members to work harder than they have before, but to also enjoy their work more than ever. My team will draw on their personal experiences, sharing those experiences to contribute to the evolution of team identity and consciousness. The shared values and goals we create as a team translate to shared vision. I expect the team members to feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves, a feeling that will inspire each person to learn, grow, make sacrifices, and contribute. In short, I expect my team to succeed.
Part Two
(a) Reflections
Reflection is part of self-awareness and honesty. Without self-awareness, it is impossible to grow. Therefore, the reflection assignments are critical to my ability to…
