Discussion 2: Perspectives on Leadership

What is a leader? This may seem like a simple question, but an individual’s response to the question may depend on the individual and his or her situation. Leadership contains elements of personality, personal characteristics, skills, and knowledge. Leadership can be demonstrated within human services organizations as well as in the organizations’ interactions with stakeholders in the community.

As you consider all you have explored about leadership in this course, what new perspectives have you gained regarding this topic? Consider how you might apply your discoveries to your career planning and development.

By Day 4

Post an analysis of how your personal definition of leadership has changed or expanded since you began this course. Explain at least one significant idea or experience from this course that may be of value in preparing you for a future supervisory or administrative role.

Required Readings

Austin, M. J., Regan, K., Gothard, S., & Carnochan, S. (2013). Becoming a manager in nonprofit human service organizations: Making the transition from specialist to generalist. Administration in Social Work, 37(4), 372-385.

Required Media

TedTalks (Producer). (n.d.). Seth Godin: The tribes we lead [Video file]. Retrieved February 20, 2014, from http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_godin_on_the_tribes_we_lead.html