NEED DISCUSSION RESPONSE IN 15 HOURS or LESS

Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Each of your responses to your classmates should be at least 150 words in length, and include an APA formatted scholarly resource. In your response post, please provide a thoughtful reply to promote discussion, critical thinking, and class interaction, and provide an open-ended question for each of your colleagues.

DISCUSSION 1 (Ingrid) Define the difference between managers and leaders.

Managers are responsible for controlling an organization, a group, or a set of entities to achieve a particular objective. Managers focuses on the questions how and why (Duggal, 2024). Leaders require a vision guide to change and are more concerned with thinking ahead and seizing opportunities. A leader asks what and why. A leader isn’t always a good manager, and a good manager can’t always lead. There are certain characteristics that can differentiate between the two.

Discuss the important characteristics of an ideal leader.

Two great things leaders need to have been empathy and perspective (Generate Insights, 2019). When I worked under a former Department Manager, she had excellent leadership qualities. She had a vision of moving up in rank within the company and possessed the qualities and experience to do so. An ideal leader is a leader that is adept at fostering a positive work atmosphere and building trusting relations with their team, which results in high employee engagement (Duggal, 2024). My manager led by example and inspired me to replace her. She trained me to become a better employee and she taught me the ins and outs of management.

Describe the traits you possess that support your selected leadership style that you discussed in week 1.

In week 1, I chose the Laissez-Faire style of leadership. Laissez-Faire leaders believe that followers are at their best and most motivated by autonomy. Followers would do great if you just let them do it (Simplilearn, 2024). The traits I possess are honesty and integrity, communication skills, and the ability to challenge. As a leader, honesty and integrity are important so that it builds trust within a team. I can communicate well. It is essential to notify your team on current and upcoming projects, and make sure everyone is trained and knowledgeable of their assignments. I possess the ability to challenge myself. I have excellent problem-solving skills. I also have a certain way of achieving goals.

Identify the traits needed to promote transformational change for leaders that wish to incorporate long-lasting innovations in the human services field.

Lewin’s change management model uses Unfreeze, which is the preparation stage and Change, which is the implementation stage (Lucidchart, n.d.) Traits leaders need to

incorporate long-lasting innovations is vision and trust. The leader needs the vision to see his idea and is focused on making it happen. The leader has the trust of the team that knows that the leader will follow through on his purpose.

References

Duggal, N. (2023, Mar 10). Leadership vs management: Understanding the key difference. Simplilearn. https://www.simplilearn.com/leadership-vs-management-difference-article

Generate Insights. (2019, October 23). Simon Sinek: Leader versus manager. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSUJwmPQEyg

Lucidchart. (n.d.). 7 fundamental change management models. https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/7-fundamental-change- management-models

Simplilearn. (2023, May 9). 10 Leadership theories to master for managerial success in 2023. https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-should- know-article

Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Each of your responses to your classmates should be at least 150 words in length, and include an APA formatted scholarly resource. In your response post, please provide a thoughtful reply to promote discussion, critical thinking, and class interaction, and provide an open-ended question for each of your colleagues.

DISCUSSION 2 (Tameka) Define the difference between managers and leaders.

Leaders are responsible for the people who take care of the people (Sinex,2019). Leaders take the vision of organizations and inspire or motivate others to create the vision. This includes maintaining and attracting the most skilled, talented persons to achieve the vision and promote growth. Whereas Managers are skilled in the department they manage, they know how to do the job, better than leaders most time (Sinex.2019). They are the executors of the organization's vision; they maintain the culture and standards of the leader.

Discuss the important characteristics of an ideal leader.

Leaders should have good communication skills, be able to inspire, challenge, and have honesty, and integrity. Leaders should possess self-awareness, knowing how to show gratitude, and collaboration to achieve the vision of the organization. Great leaders have empathy and perspective (Sinex,2019). Leaders recognize the skills of managers and give credit to those managers for the effective execution of the vision. These characteristics

create good leaders and help keep the culture and standards of the organization, which results in motivated managers.

Describe the traits you possess that support your selected leadership style that you discussed in Week 1.

During week one I first thought my leadership style was autocratic, however, after more research, I feel the style that fits my personality is democratic. I enjoy being part of a team. I have good collaboration skills, and I am a good listener. Even though, I enjoy working as a team, making decisions or delegating tasks if needed is something I would be able to do. I do believe being honest and having integrity are important skills in the workplace.

Identify the traits needed to promote transformational change for leaders that wish to incorporate long-lasting innovations (i.e., technology, new service delivery techniques or models) in the human services field.

Leaders that are looking for transformational changes in an organization, would need to have trust in their managers, pushing them to do their best and set appropriate pace and tempo (Duggal,2024). In change being able to communicate effectively is important, with keeping your team up to date on changes or new strategies and the ability to challenge ideas and styles. I think ADKAR model promotes long-lasting changes, as it focuses on the person. It is making sure the individual is clear on the change, and understanding the change with awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement. In the human services field, it's important to keep abreast of changes that impact on the human services field, this could make a big difference in our ability to provide services to our clients.

References

Duggal, N. (2023,). Leadership vs management: Understanding the key difference. Simplilearn. https://www.simplilearn.com/leadership-vs-management-difference-article

Simon S, (2019) Leader versus manager. Generate Insights. (2019, October 23). Simon Sinek: Leader versus manager. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSUJwmPQEyg