Discussion response.
William Parker
The New Drivers of Leadership
My results for " The new drivers of leadership" were as follows:
DRIVER 1- Energy (4)
DRIVER 2- Focus (7)
DRIVER 3- Speed (6)
DRIVER 4- Challenge (3)
The results of this assessment was an eye opener for me. As I read over the requirements and directions of the assessment, I quickly concluded in my mind wht the results would probably be for me. It was not was I imagined and confirming my belief that how we see ourselves may not always be how others see us. So, It is important to assess your drivers of leadership, for validity and effectiveness (Casse, 2014, p. 4).
Self-assessments such as this can be a valuable tool for leaders with an open mind and a willingness to act on the results. I believe that this assessment was a partial reflection of my current disposition with respect to the energy and challenge drivers. Despite this, the results of the assessment gives me an opportunity to see my strengths and weakness in the workplace or other.
In Driver 1 (energy/4) and Driver 4 (challenge/3) were my areas of weakness, scoring less than half on each. These were my surprises because I felt that these would be my highest scores. I felt that I dealt with crisis head on and fought against resistance when pertaining to my subordinates and even myself. Driver 4 (challenge/3), I thought this would be my highest score as I am always searching at various ways to perform process' better and challenging the old way of business. I always felt this was especially important for growth and I am one who accepts and invites change. For these two drivers I will be more conscious of how ability to stand up protecting ideas and values. I will also be open to others view of my leadership divers and open for positive change. Being open is important for me to prevent thinking too highly or having over inflated sense of personal leadership drivers
Drivers 2 (Focus/7) and Driver 3 (Speed 6) I felt were accurate especially Driver 2 (Focus/7). I can be very stringent in separating the big rocks from the little rocks and to narrowly focus on the most important aspects of a situation. This is necessary as I attempt to get to the point fast and eliminate wasted time or going in circles with a situation. Part of this comes from working with short deadlines from upper leadership and trying to produce the most accurate result in a timely manner. My weakness in this attempt can sometimes be forgetting about the people and focusing too much on the mission or task at hand. The results of this assessment makes me challenge my own way of thinking. Driver 3 (Speed/6) is accurate in that it complements my need to identify and act quickly, particularly due to many short suspenses. In this it becomes clear to me why I scored higher in these areas.
Overall, the assessment was fairly accurate from my perspective. I am constantly in a variety of leadership environments and know that my drivers would more than likely be slightly different for each environment. Using this tool as a baseline to see my strengths and weakness' are a start for improvement. However, I will be willing to be more cognizant and my energy and challenge by ensuring that I am not just thinking about the change. By communicating while confronted with situations that may be stagnant or need my defense, this will assist me in improving my leadership competencies
Casse, P. (2014, February). The new drivers of leadership. Training Journal, 27–30. Retrieved from http://www.trainingjournal.com/articles/feature/new-drivers-leadership
RALPH SMITH
My scores:
Energy - 5
Focus - 3
Speed - 3
Challenge - 5
I know that I carry myself to a certain degree base on those results.
Energy, growing up I have often challenge myself in exploring anything that will be beneficiary to me or the organization and agency I might be working for. This is the same mentality I have at my current job, taken anything for granted is not in my repertoire. I am an opinionated leader that believes that in order for me to be better, I should take others criticizing into account and find a way to improve upon it.
Focus, I fully agree with this score. It is a factual depicting of the seriousness attached to my working ethics. Even though it is not the highest of my scores, but it is an actual definition of what I stand for when it comes to my leadership. I don't like to procrastinate or delay in anything I am leading or participating in. Focusing on the task at hand can lead to a successful outcome in your endeavors. A focus leader doesn't procrastinate or delay in his or her undertakens at least from what I have learned and was taught or seen at Walden so far and I have model that at my job.
Speed, the score for my speed is the same as my focus point. Yes, it's low and might not be your ideal score for a speedy leader, but it has to do with motivation. As a leader, are you motivated? And what makes you think you can be motivated to speed forward if procrastination and delays are associated with you? I also believe as a leader in order to serve my organization or agency at a speed, I should avoid anything that resemble procrastination and delays. Procrastinations and delays are negative recipe for any speedy developmental and growth minded potential leader like me and all involve. In order to reach my goals, I believe that I have to prioritize myself to move forward. I say no to procrastination and delays.
Challenge, I accept this score wholeheartedly. In my role as a leader, I often like challenges and feel taking anything for granted is a damage to a leader's ability evolve. I keep pushing, I am curious to know about the files sitting on the desk in the secretary's office for two days now. I want to know why I haven't and update on the meeting held two weeks ago? As a leader, your job is to make sure you follow every little lead that will help you and the organization you work for. As a leader that likes challenges, you need to keep asking questions and and finding solutions that you might be facing. "Leaders who make a real impact are usually those who refuse to accept the status quo. Such leaders are careful not to take anything for granted; they challenge our assumptions and provoke us out of our complacency. Challenging leaders are those who can use different reference points when looking at a situation. They continually question and probe to generate numerous potential options to problems at hand"(Casse, 2014).
I think I am a novice when it comes to leadership and management. I have always strive to be the best that I can in fostering my desire to lead. This lead to my current effort to obtain my DBA from this great institution. I believe obtaining my DBA will elevate my leadership potential.
Reference
Casse, P. (2014, February). The new drivers of leadership. Training Journal, 27–30.