THE (ME )IN LEADERSHIP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

THE (ME )IN LEADERSHIP - Essay Example During the process, I learned to be more critical of myself because this was a necessary requisite of being an effective leader. I learned that â€Å"it is necessary for a â€Å"leader, who possesses a clear self-concept through private self-consciousness, to be more likely to possess a strong purpose-in-life. Having a strong purpose involves consistency in self-identity (i.e., self-concept clarity) (Campbell, 1990 :59; Frankl, 1992). This clear awareness of my â€Å"self† translates to a clearer sense of goal and purpose which will evolve as a Self-Belief. Self-belief which will improve my inner confidence therefore will succeed and overcome any obstacle to achieve the best outcomes for service improvement. I also learned that this â€Å"mirroring as the reflections of self that a group member encounters in other group members, in the group leader, or in the group as a whole (Bion, 1961) harmonizes us within and eliminates discord beginning from perception of how I observe myself through my peers. I learned that this awareness of my â€Å"Self† and environment is a necessary aptitude for leadership in addition to technical competencies. As Gardner (1983) expounds â€Å"expanding on the concepts presented in early intelligence work as well as social intelligence theory, developed a theory of multiple intelligences. ...one of the seven areas of intelligence discussed in multiple intelligence theory, personal intelligence, corresponds to earlier theories such as social intelligence†. This emotional intelligence also provided me with the competencies such as self-awareness, self-regulation, personal motivation, empathy and strong social skills that enable me to be a democratic leader; a leader that involve and commit others not only in achieving a desired result but also the process of achieving it. My belief in democratic leadership was reinforced when Lawler (2001: 16-17) argued that democracy is inevitable, even in the workplace . . . Hi erarchial organizations are simply too inflexible and rigid to compete effectively in today's business environment. They fail to attract the right human capital and to produce the right core competencies and organizational capabilities. As a result, they need to be replaced by lateral forms of organization that rely heavily on teams, information technology, networks, shared leadership, and involved employees . . . [These new organizational forms] will have flat, agile structures, open information, power that moves to expertise, and systems that create knowledge and employees throughout the organization. Democratic leadership â€Å"functions as a means of engendering compliance with dominant goals and values and harnessing staff commitment, ideas, expertise and experience to realizing these† (Woods, 2004). I preferred a democratic process in dealing and decision making because the seeming differences will make us aware of the different perspectives that may be unknown to us be fore. Therefore, better approach and solution to certain issues may crystallize after the free flow of ideas. This has to be understood because â€Å"  understanding and cooperation of superiors, peers, and subordinates, it takes time to build these relationships† (Kayser, 1973;24). In conclusion of the previous module, I learned that to effectively lead and manage others, I must lead and manage my â€Å"Self† first. To direct others, it is imperative that I must have