Leadership Essay 1
INTRODUCTION 168 TO LEADERSHIP 7.4 REFLECTION AND ACTION WORKSHEET
Leadership Vision
Reflection
1. Stephen Covey (1991) contended that effective leaders “begin with the end in mind.” These leaders have a deep understanding of their own goals and mission in life. How would you describe your own values and pur- pose in life? In what way is your leadership influenced by these values? I value things such as kindness, respect, and humor. I think this translates into my leadership because I value human dignity. People should treat others how they want to be treated and I live by this rule. When people are respected or respect their leader they will work harder so they don’t let others down.
2. Creating a vision usually involves trying to change others by persuading them to accept different values and different ways of doing things. Are you comfortable influencing people in this way? Discuss. According to this question, I am not comfortable influencing people. Because I am not always confident about my ideas and I don’t want to take a risk of making things worse. Also I have a hard time articulating my ideas so it seems easier to sit back and let things go as they are.
3. As we discussed in this chapter, effective visions can be articulated with strong symbols. How do you view yourself as being able to do this? Are you effective at generating language and symbols that can enhance a vision and help make it successful? I would be good at creating symbols that would help enhance a vision. I like to think I am creative and enjoy making drawing, and I think I can make symbols that could portray deeper meanings. As for generating language. I could do this but it would just be more difficult for me because I sometimes have a hard time clearly articulating things.
Action
1. Based on your score on the Leadership Vision Questionnaire, how do you assess your ability to create a vision for a group? Identify specific ways you could improve your abilities to create and carry out visions with others. I think I could create a vision for something I am truly passionate about but it would be more difficult for me for things I do not care as much about. To improve, I think I should start thinking about the end result by mentally picturing it.
2. Good leaders act out the vision. Describe what ideals and values you act out or could act out as a leader. Human dignity is a very important value and I “act” this out every day by being respectful of others. I try to engage with people and listen to them when they voice their complaints and aggravations. Also try to smile at everyone I see because in my experience people are more likely to smile more if others smile at them, and smiling helps improve peoples’ moods.
3. Take a few moments to think about and describe a group or an organization to which you belong presently or belonged in the past. Write a brief statement describing the vision you would utilize if you were the leader of this group or organization. My vision would be to value others and their opinions and to work together as a team. To use everyone’s strenghts to better the team and to help one.