Kim Woods Only (600 8.1 post)

Leadership is serving those who are responsible to you in a command or company setting. The most basic example is parenting. As a parent the greater service provided to each child in development, discipline, nutrition and creativity, the greater chance each individual will have at success when it comes to autonomy and self dependence. If the leader neglects to serve the subordinate in one or more crucial area the mission is corrupted.

“Leadership is about the way people behave in organizations, and effective leaders are those who meet the needs of their followers, pay careful attention to group processes, calm anxieties and arouse hopes and aspirations, and know how to liberate human energy and inspire people to positive action.” (Northouse, 2016, p295)

How do you define leadership, and what makes one an effective leader?

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Leadership requires creative problem solving and risk taking on behalf of the ones being lead. All Leaders are managers but not all managers are truly leaders. Many managers skate to the minimum standard and only do things that benefit themselves. Leaders serve the team and individual followers to the point where they are free to be their best in every way.

“The overriding function of management is to provide order and consistency to organizations, whereas the primary function of leadership is to produce change and movement.” (Northouse, 2016, p.13)

Do you make a distinction between management and leadership? If so, what is it?

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Followers must achieve their assignments in a manner that builds the team and forwards the mission. Sometimes a follower must be cut from the team to get the job done. The follower is only responsible for his own work where the leader is responsible for her work and the entire team mission as well. A true leader will always raise up competent leaders after his or her own image. Some followers were never meant to lead. Some people are content with a life of wage labor and a cold beer.

Northouse states, “most of servant leader behaviors focus directly on recognizing follower contributions and helping them realize their human potential.” (2016, p.236)

What do you think is the role of the follower?

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Leaders of the future will face more litigation and social hostility as parenting and corporate structures are stigmatized. As respect for authority is diminished across age and socioeconomic spectrums the role of leadership will be more and more like a camp counselor and less like a boss or Sergeant. Even though her tools will become limited because of legal restraints the leader still has to get the mission complete and find and develop others to lead in the future. It is not getting any easier.

“Changes in culture have meant followers demand more from leaders, and leaders have responded.” (Northouse, 2016, p.11)

What are the significant challenges facing leaders of the future?

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The most important lesson I ever learned is never ask anyone to do what I would not or have not done myself. People can smell hypocrisy. The true leader is willing to get dirty, bloody and take risks along with his or her employees.

“A collaborative climate is one in which members can stay problem focused, listen to and understand one another, feel free to take risks, and be willing to compensate for one another.” (Northouse, 2016, p.370)

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned and how is it valuable?

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The most important decisions I make in my organization are budget and staffing related. Every position in my organization except mine are renegotiated annually. No one can go to sleep at the wheel.

The outcomes of servant leadership are follower performance and growth, organizational performance, and societal impact.” (Northouse, 2016, p. 236)

What are the most important decisions you make as a leader of your organization?

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The one characteristic I believe every leader needs is passion. It is the drive to better my world and serve my neighbors that fuels our vision at smfglobal. Without a passion for the project or the client’s well being our work becomes stale and repetitive. We must constantly sharpen our tools and rest on a regular basis to keep the maximum amount of energy flowing to the heart of our endeavor. Passion is the fuel to success.

Northouse cites House stating, “the personality characteristics of a charismatic leader include being dominant, having a strong desire to influence others, being self-confident, and having a strong sense of own’s own moral values.” (2016, p.164)

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

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REFERENCES

Northouse, P.G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice. Los Angeles, California: Sage Publications, Inc.