Reflection

BBA 3651, Leadership 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit III Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Explain the importance of vision to organizational leadership in a global environment. 2.1 Describe the ways leadership supports an organization’s vision.

5. Examine the role of leadership in regards to organizational performance.

5.1 Analyze how different delivery styles of communication from leaders can positively or negatively affect the behavior and performances of followers.

6. Analyze methods to lead groups/teams effectively.

6.1 Discuss problems that can arise if teams do not follow the requests of leadership when making crucial organizational decisions.

6.2 Discuss recommendations to improve leadership practices and performance measures for all work groups.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

2.1

Unit Lesson All required readings Unit III Videos Unit III Reflection Paper

5.1

Unit Lesson All required readings Unit III Videos Unit III Reflection Paper

6.1

Unit Lesson All required readings Unit III Videos Unit III Reflection Paper

6.2

Unit Lesson All required readings Unit III Videos Unit III Reflection Paper

Reading Assignment In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Click here to access the Unit III Positive Communication video. Click here to access the transcript for the Unit III Positive Communication video. Boak, G., & Crabbe, S. (2019). Experiences that develop leadership capabilities. Leadership & Organization

Development Journal, 40(1), 97-106. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=edb&AN=134540529&site=eds-live&scope=site

UNIT III STUDY GUIDE

Say Yes, Say No, Say Something of Value

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Stonebraker, I. (2016). Toward informed leadership: Teaching students to make better decisions using information. Journal of Business & Finance Librarianship, 21(3/4), 229–238. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=lxh&AN=119334030&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Värttö, M. (2019). Democratization of organizational change process through deliberation. Leadership &

Organization Development Journal, 40(7), 791-802. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=edb&AN=139055750&site=eds-live&scope=site

The Wellness Network (Producer). (2016). Exercising for results: SMART goal setting [Video]. Films on

Demand. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?auth=CAS&url=http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPla ylists.aspx?wID=273866&xtid=147232

The transcript for this video can be found by clicking the “Transcript” tab to the right of the video in the Films on Demand database.

Unit Lesson Communicating Organizational Decisions Previously, we discussed how leaders have to pay attention to the specifics associated with hiring and effectively training the best candidates for a job. In respect to that matter, they must also find creative and inspiring ways to enhance performance measures. In this unit, we further that discussion to expand on how leaders are challenged with communicating difficult decisions and what they must do to entice workers to speak up; make intelligent decisions; and set realistic, attainable goals. This notion is to promote unity and forward thinking while avoiding unhealthy agreements for the sake of compliance. Click here to access the Unit III Positive Communication video. Click here to access the transcript for the Unit III Positive Communication video. According to Nonaka and Takeuchi (2011), wise leaders are those who understand people and situations, act for the good of the organization, and create shared solutions with employees. Additionally, the best leaders are those who connect and mentor employees. For example, a leader may share stories of his or her own experiences to help an employee come to a decision (Nonaka & Takeuchi, 2011). For the most part, effective leaders demonstrate an ability and gift of connecting through communication with others’ hearts and minds. They understand that engaging in dialogue routinely is a means of commitment to showing support for others, whether face-to-face or at a distance.

Communication challenges (Hut547, 2016)

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Is it bizarre that leaders find it difficult at times to ensure that workers will intently adhere to pre-established organizational values and ethics? Communicating organizational expectations should not be a regular speech for a weekly meeting; however, often, people will agree to complete a task yet relentlessly ask themselves or others the question, “What is in it for me?” Moreover, stress can play a role in how individuals behave. Sometimes, people who typically follow the rules may not do so when they feel intense stress or pressure (Nonaka & Takeuchi, 2011). As a leader, it can be difficult to identify what techniques will foster harmony within a group and what decisions can be made to cultivate knowledge while creating fresh ideas for tackling challenging issues. Productive leaders have to make judgement calls on a daily basis knowing that everything can change, that time is a factor, and that doing what is just and right should positively affect not only members of a particular department, but also the entire organization. Scenario Imagine you are working at a photography studio where your supervisor is a young, vibrant man who owns his own business. After a few weeks of working for him, you realize that he has not earned a degree, he does not deduct taxes from your paycheck, and he never provided you with a detailed job description. At first, you liked the way he treated you and the opportunity to learn something new; yet, after a few months of working with this individual, you began worrying about the tax details. In addition, he begins demanding you work more hours than you had originally planned, and you often feel belittled by his continuous condescending remarks. After careful reflection, would you opt to confront him with your concerns? Would you ask for a job description and verify what exactly you were expected to do on a daily basis for a certain amount of pay? Would looking for a different job serve as more beneficial in the long run? This is simply one situation that could warrant the need for effective communication and adequate decision-making skills. Effectively Communicating with Purpose

When workers are forced to make uncomfortable decisions, it is always best to grasp the full essence of the problem at hand and draw a logical conclusion before overreacting. Expeditiously addressing unnecessary behavior received from others is very important as a means to alleviate further occurrences. Moreover, if a leader (which does not require a title) models good behavior, strong values, and idealistic expectations, others will most likely conform to requests and seek synergy among the group. A crucial conversation can happen within an interaction between two people on a day-to-day basis. It can also consequently affect a person’s life in a positive or negative manner; therefore, body language and a positive respectful tone should definitely be considered.

Let’s pretend you are sitting in a meeting with five other co-workers, and you are trying to reword an item on a strategic planning report. While making a suggestion, your boss makes a rude comment insinuating, “Apparently, you must not be able to read, or you would have written the report differently.” This infuriates you. Then, you get home after work, and your spouse explodes out of jealousy over the way you looked at the neighbor while checking your mail. Which discussion was actually crucial? Could one be more devastating than the other? Crucial conversations tend to create strong emotions being that stakes seem high and

Effective Communication

Effective communication (Rido, 2011)

Steps to success (Elnur, n.d.)

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opinions can vary. If losing your job is the result of you overreacting, or losing your marriage is also a factor, you may opt to withdraw from the conversations to keep peace. The key is to know how to effectively hold tough conversations regarding virtually any topic and demonstrate how to handle them well (Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & Switzler, 2012). Making quality decisions while leading teams is not always an easy feat. Leaders must be knowledgable in how to establish necessary team work processes, handle unexpected conflict efficiently, and properly manage any virtual-based teams. According to Barrett (2008), when focusing on the basics of team dynamics, leaders must consider six aspects as shown in the graphic to the right. James C. Humes (as cited in Barrett, 2008), speechwriter for five U.S. presidents, states that the language of leadership is accomplished through the art of communication. In order for leaders to communicate effectively, they must first analyze the context of their communication skills. They must also understand the dynamics of their audiences. Whether written or oral, they must deliver organized verbiage or presentations that often include visuals or graphics and remain on topic. Moreover, listening intently and recognizing non-verbal cues is important when sharing in dialogue. Encouraging members to generate ideas, evaluating various options, and helping groups to make wise decisions is the best way to develop and follow a vision as well. The purpose for any communication is generally to inform, persuade, and influence or instruct. Creativity and dedication to an assigned task or goal is the key to successful completion and accomplishment. Organizational visions can be thought of in the same respect as personal visions. Steve Harvey (as cited in Greenwood, 2014) speaks of pushing past fear when he explains how fear can cause people to fail. Success requires us to choose to face our fears head on and change. At times, this change can be hard, which is why some do not even attempt it (Greenwood, 2014). Think of your own decisions or those of your family and friends; how many times have decisions been made out of fear? If organizational leaders based every decision on fear factors, they would never take chances, set high-risk goals, or abide by a vision to improve. Organizational Vision and Goal Setting A vision statement is established for company workers to understand aspirations that require actions. When focusing on the vision of an organization, leaders suggest goals and offer direction to members, reflect on the past before preparing initiatives, and provide actionable tasks for members to complete within a certain timeframe. Most companies are commonly known for assigning tasks to small teams that work as a task group to complete pre-determined goals within a reasonable amount of time. Ford is a company that prides itself on being a global business that portrays a commitment to providing individuals with personal mobility around the world. This is thought to be a way to improve lives through transportation globally. Therefore, Ford’s vision is to lead through quality customer service in the automobile industry (Barrett, 2008). When companies such as Ford set goals for their businesses, they keep the stakeholders in mind. They remain focused on quality customer relations, the financial goals, the development of new and better products, the purpose and implementation of new processes, and the benefits of employee retention. These are just a few factors that are of high importance to business leaders around the world who wish to become or remain on the cutting edge of today’s economic and industrial pursuits.

Team dynamics (Barrett, 2008)

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References Barrett, D. J. (2008). Leadership communication (2nd ed.). McGraw-Hill. Elnur. (n.d.). The businesswoman climbing the career ladder of success (ID 103485452) [Image].

Dreamstime. https://www.dreamstime.com/businesswoman-climbing-career-ladder-success- businesswoman-climbing-career-ladder-success-image103485452

Greenwood, C. (2014, December 9). The success 25: 2014’s personal development leaders. Success.

https://www.success.com/the-success-25-2014s-personal-development-leaders/ Hut547. (2016). Successful executive very excited, happy smiling business woman. Asia business woman

person expression yes fist pump (ID 73409025) [Photograph]. Dreamstime. https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photo-successful-executive-very-excited-happy-smiling-business- woman-asia-business-woman-person-expression-yes-fist-pump-white-image73409025

Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2011). The wise leader. Harvard Business Review, 89(5), 58–67. Patterson, K., Grenny, J., McMillan, R., & Switzler, A. (2012). Crucial conversations: Tools for talking when

stakes are high. McGraw-Hill. Rido. (2011). Business communication (ID 24137245) [Photograph]. Dreamstime.

https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-photo-business-communication-image24137245

Learning Activities (Nongraded) Nongraded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions, contact your instructor for further guidance and information. For this nongraded learning opportunity, consider a personal or professional project, and answer the following questions.

• What skills do you bring to the project?

• What about the project interests you the most?

• How can you grow from this experience?

• What can you learn from this project?