Deliverable 7 - Effective Leadership

Leadership Position

Name: John Blair

Institution Affiliation: Rasmussen College

Leadership Position

Leadership is either formal or informal and they have a massive difference in how they operate. According to Pielstick, (2000), formal leadership is broader since it deals with organizations and companies in contrast with informal leadership which is extensive in small groups. Therefore, from that, I can easily identify myself as an individual who has the drive to manage more people and hence the duty of a formal leader. A formal leader has an obligation to manage a given range of resources and give desirable results in the end. They also have some authority and right over few issues and use that power to ensure effective running of the sector they are in.

For example, I would like to be a CEO in a company and hence to run all the business activities. Such a position demands unique character traits which I believe I possess. I have realized myself to be a good communicator in both verbal and written messages. Also, being organized in the way I execute my duties and arrange them accordingly to avoid conflict of interest and wastage of time and resources. Respect is a two-way traffic which I treasure since I was young. To manage a company demands respect of other people view, ideas, and also their personality. Am also a skilled negotiator where it is easy to achieve results when a conflict arises. It is accompanied by integrity and just which are important character traits.

Therefore, with the combination of the above traits, it is easy to make a good formal leader since it calls for good control of the workplace. Also, in case of a conflict, it is easy to solve it amicably and both parties leave happy and satisfied.

Action Plan

I cannot resist the urge to take after Mike Zuckerberg the CEO of Facebook. He is a public figure who has achieved in life and lead the company accordingly to massive profits. True to this, most of his activities have revealed generosity which is a good trait in a formal leader (Tsukayama, 2014). Following the steps of Zuckerberg would act as a ladder to rising to success as a CEO in a given organization. Thank you to technology where it is possible to interact over the internet using a different platform. Therefore, using a media like Facebook I can establish a platform with Mike and share ideas with him on how I can manage to become a successful formal leader.

The first step involves knowing my strengths and also the areas I need to improve on. Secondly, it involves analyzing other areas where I need to establish connection and knowledge. This process leads to understanding other people’s perspectives rather than from me as a leader. It helps to strengthen and open up to more helpful ideas. The other step involves making firm decisions and stick to them backed up by facts rather than speculations. Communication with other leaders helps to mold a good leader as one gets more ideas and advise. In line to this point, it is important to have good relationships with the second in command to avoid unnecessary quarrels and misunderstanding. Finally, a good leader needs a plan and a strategy to execute duties and handle issues in the organizations.

Implementing the plan and working towards its achievement would act as a step forward and helps in achieving the goals of being a good leader. All in all, good communication helps to prevent problems and hence openness is a virtue I would carry all the way.

References

Pielstick, C. D. (2000). Formal vs. Informal Leading: A Comparative Analysis. Journal of Leadership Studies, 7(3), 99-114. doi:10.1177/107179190000700307

Tsukayama, H. (2014). Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla Chan were America's most generous givers in 2013. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/mark