Deliverable 1 - The Effectiveness of Personal Leadership Competencies

Leadership Strengths and Weaknesses

Leadership strengths and weaknesses are different for everyone. The strengths and weaknesses are identified by looking at various aspect of leadership. It starts with a self-assessment. The assessment allows you to grade your performance skills, build your strengths, and work to improve your weaknesses. To develop a clear assessment there is the need for a clear view for long-term goals, build lasting relationships, focused execution for positive results, and consistent reflection of what went well and what may have been challenging. Taking this approach helps you to focus on what’s important, leaving room to respond as necessary, possibly with more options for a resolution.

Strengths as we know are the key elements, characteristics, and behaviors that help one to success. A leader may have a strong list of good characteristics, behaviors, and practices but there are always weaknesses. Weaknesses can affect your performance and weigh you down with uncertainty and lack of clarity. The weaknesses can impact the learning advantage that is needed to be a successful leader. Look at a few leadership strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths 

· Influencer

· Supporter

· Excellent communicator

· Motivator

· Honesty

· Committment

· Creativity 

Weaknesses

· Resistant to change

· Complacency

· Unfocused

· Unrealistic

· Insecure

· Dishonesty

· Lack of enthusiam

A deep look at the strengths and weaknesses of a leader addresses reliability, accountability, integrity, and emotional intelligence. All of which can be a strength or a weakness depending on the individual’s skill set. It is imperative to have the ability to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a leader. The strengths will support your goal and drive for success, but the weaknesses can hinder your progress. The level of strengths that a leader has determines the effectiveness of his/her leadership and the success of the organization.

Adaptability 

Critical thinking and decision-making skills can affect the ability to adapt to change. This type of behavior and practice reflects the ability to think on your feet, solve problems quickly, embrace change, and being able to move forward. As a strength, change management can be control and maintain with the comfort of adaptability. As a weakness, the lack of adaptability can leave the team and organization vulnerable to maintaining a competitive edge. 

Accountability 

Accountability is the power of authority to influence as well as the act of being accountable, answerable, and liable for your actions and the actions of the team. As a strength, accountability takes commitment, resilience, ownership, and continuous learning. As a weakness, the lack of accountability can affect the stability of the team. 

Emotional intelligence 

Emotional intelligence has a strong role in an individual and a leader. It encompasses interpersonal skills that reflect how you handle your emotions and how you relate to other people. As a strength, an individual has to ability to identify his/her emotions and govern them. As a weakness, an individual will not be able to relate and connect effectively with others. 

Integrity 

Leadership with integrity consists of using personal values to guide practices and behaviors with others. The leadership representation is genuine, respected, ethical, and consistent. As a strength, the reward is confidence, loyalty, and respect from the team. As a weakness, trust will be affected resulting in the lack of support and positive behaviors. 

Qualities of an effective leader determines performance which in turn determines the level of success. An effective leader provides guidance, direction, inspiration, and confidence. The effectiveness is not just the reflection of self, it is also the reflection of nurturing others, building teams, and commitment to achieve collaborated goals. It is imperative to have a well-rounded understanding of the position of your strengths and weaknesses as a leader as it will determine the outcome of your goals.

Here are methods to evaluate individual leadership strengths and weaknesses to maximize professional effectiveness:

· Identify the skills needed to effectively lead.

· Always ask for feedback.

· Take on responsibility.

· Analyze your strengths and weaknesses.

· Always continue to learn, build, and strength your skills.