Kyle's Leadership Blog tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013-01-22:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055 2013-04-29T18:54:37Z Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en Week 15 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.394235 2013-04-29T18:44:04Z 2013-04-29T18:54:37Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict, being able to induce intentional change.

This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict, being able to induce intentional change.

Analysis of Differences in Definition:
I did not change my leadership definition. At the heart of the articles written by Saphiere and Mikk (2005) and Sessions (2010), each talks about the importance of communication. However, communication is a tool that must be perfected to work well with others regardless of position, authority, or title. It is important for leaders to use communication effectively and know the pitfalls and risks of miscommunication, however, I do not believe it is possible for a leader to lack communication skills. If they did, nobody would follow, and they would no longer be a leader, because communication is integral to every aspect of what it is to being a leader in the first place.

Works Cited:
Saphiere, D. H., Mikk, B. K., & Devries, B. I. (2005). "Factors Affecting Communication Style: Starring acts in the circus." 47 - 82.
Sessions, L. F. (2010). How offline gatherings affect online communities: When virtual community members 'meet up'. Information, Communication & Society, 13(3), 375-395. doi:10.1080/13691180903468954

]]> Week 14 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.393396 2013-04-22T20:17:26Z 2013-04-22T20:40:37Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict.

This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict, being able to induce intentional change.

Analysis of Differences in Definition:
This week, I changed the last sentence to include that a leader must be able to induce intentional change. Boyatzis (2006) states in his article that a positive emotional attractor can pull one toward change. In this way, a leader is one who can bring about the intention for change in an individual and effectively help another individual, group, community, etc work toward an idealized self. Without change, a group can become stagnant and fall into disrepair.

Works Cited:
Boyatzis, R. E. (2006). "An Overview of Intentional Change from a Leadership Perspective." Journal of Management Development, 25(7), 607-623.

]]> Week 13 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.392180 2013-04-14T16:14:41Z 2013-04-14T16:30:38Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict.

This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict.

Analysis of Difference in Definition:
I did not change my definition for leadership this week. I agreed with the necessity for the process outlined by Komives and Lucas (1998) of forming, storming, norming, and performing for groups to work together successfully. However, there is a difference between the settings in which groups occur, and to describe a leader in that setting, one must analyze the characteristics of the leader. If the leader defines those purposes, values, qualities, goals, and future for the group, the process then will be defined by the leader. By holding to the definition of a leader which I have described, a successful team will develop and individuals will join the process rather than find they need conflict to solve their issues.

Works Cited:
Komives, S. R., Lucas, N., & McMahon, T. R. (1998). "Interacting in Teams and Groups." Exploring Leadership: For college students who want to make a difference (pp. 165 - 194). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

]]> Week 12 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.391467 2013-04-08T19:41:22Z 2013-04-08T19:59:15Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.

This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community. However, the leader must be willing to challenge views of society if one's morals are in conflict.

Analysis of Difference in Definition:
This week I added the last sentence of challenging views of society if they are in conflict with one's personal morals. I included this portion because a leader must not be afraid to challenge common thought, which often can turn ideas into offshoots of the original intention. For example, Gladwell (2005) writes about how we are often predisposed to react a certain way toward a person or view based on societal stereotypes that hold certain connotations for us collectively. Also, Tatum (1997) writes about how racism is still a problem describing the "system of advantage" which white people are predisposed to. Although intentions may be good, often aspects become overlooked causing one to glaze over problems that we may not recognize due to the cultural acceptance of the issue. For this reason, it is important that a leader is one to point out that flaw and challenge it because leaders are the most effective force in gaining support through followers to initiate change.

Works Cited:
Gladwell, M. (2005). "The Warren Harding Error: Why we fall for tall, dark, and handsome men." Blink: The power of thinking without thinking (pp. 72 - 98). New York: Pushkin Enterprises.
Tatum, B. D. (1997). "Defining Racism: Can we talk?" Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? (pp. 3 - 17). New York: Basic Books.

]]> Week 11 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.390525 2013-04-01T16:58:07Z 2013-04-01T17:11:44Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.
Analysis of Difference in Definition:
I did not make any changes this week to my definition. Although each article had good points about whether leaders are only truly excellent if they leave a lasting impact, or how revolutionary leaders acted a certain way that allowed them to have the impact they did on others, none of this is core to the idea of who a leader is. Every leader is going to be different, have a different style of leadership, have a different personal vision, which then affects their leadership vision, and a different set of circumstances behind which they are leading (Lee and King 2001). To say one must be like leaders such as Ghandi or Jobs, is to set an impractical or extreme standard. To me, leaders do not need to have an impact on millions of people to be defined as a leader, or even as an effective leader. While it may be helpful to emulate successful leaders, it is by no means necessary to compare oneself as a leader to another.
Bibliography:
Lee, R. J., & King, S. N. (2001). "Ground your leadership vision in a personal vision." Discovering the Leader in You: A guide to realizing your personal leadership potential (pp. 31 - 54). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Inc.
Lomas, N. (2011). "Ten leadership lessons from the Steve Jobs school of management." Silicon.com. Retrieved from http://www.silicon.com/management/ceo-essentials/2011/11/18/ten-leadership-lessons-from-the-steve-jobs-school-of-management-39748225/
Rushdie, Salman (1998). "Mohandas Ghandi". Time Magazine U.S., Monday, April 13, 1998.

]]> Week 10 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.389840 2013-03-27T13:47:18Z 2013-03-27T14:01:11Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while keeping an eye open for progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of evaluation of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while stepping back to evaluate progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.
Analysis of Difference in Definition:
I only made minor changes this week to my definition of leadership. Part of evaluating the current conditions to understand the best course of action for the future is "getting on the balcony" as Heifetz and Linsky (2002) would describe it. This refers to stepping back from the current events, moves, and actions occurring around oneself, and evaluating the entire picture. By being mindful of how the leader fits into a group and the larger society or community, the leader is kept in check from becoming too narrow focused, thus there was no need to restate it in my changing definition. In this way, both Heifetz and Linsky (2002) and Astin and Astin (1996) are addressing the same issue, which is to remember that leaders will always be a part of a larger picture and must lead accordingly.
Works Cited:
Astin, H. S., & Astin, A. W. (1996). A social change model of leadership development: Guidebook (version III) (pp. 4 - 27). Los Angeles: University of California Los Angeles Higher Education Research Institute.
Heifetz, R. A., & Linsky, M. (2002). "Get on the balcony." Leadership on the Line: Staying alive through the dangers of leading (pp. 51 - 74). Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

]]> Week 8 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.388230 2013-03-10T20:39:42Z 2013-03-10T21:00:32Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while keeping an eye open for progress in the future.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action ethically in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while keeping an eye open for progress in the future. This is done by being mindful of evaluation of how the leader as an individual influences and works as a group which further reflects as a part of society and community.
Analysis of Differences in Definition:
I added the last sentence to encompass the ideas of Astin and Astin in their ideas of leadership development (1996). I agree with the idea that leadership must be developed to be successful, and the most effective leadership is when each member recognizes that they must desire to motivate themselves into action in order to work best as a whole. Without the common goal of everyone involved who firmly believe they have stake in the process, leadership is irrelevant. In addition, realizing the entire picture and the relationship to the outside community is important to relating to something outside the particular goal and being influenced by other groups working toward a common goal.
Works Cited:
Astin, H. S., & Astin, A. W. (1996). A social change model of leadership development: Guidebook (version III) (pp. 4 - 27). Los Angeles: University of California Los Angeles Higher Education Research Institute.

]]> Week 7 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.387655 2013-03-06T15:10:26Z 2013-03-06T15:23:59Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. However, a leader must also manage the present while keeping an eye open for progress in the future.
Analysis of Differences in Definition:
This week I added a leader must be able to succeed in the present while looking forward toward changes or possible direction re-courses in the future such as was argued by Heifetz (2009). This is important because as a people, we are continually moving forward and progressing into a new age, new discoveries, and new way of doing things. In order to effectively lead others, a leader must head those changes rather than hinder the potential for growth and arising opportunity. If a leader is effective however, he/she will find help and ideas from within those who follow as tools for making that decision.
Works Cited:
Heifetz, R., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). "Leadership in a (permanent) crisis." Harvard Business Review, 87(7), 62-69.

]]> Week 6 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.386450 2013-02-24T04:24:28Z 2013-02-24T04:38:00Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to control a given situation and inspire others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect. This Week's Definition:... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to control a given situation and inspire others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to assess and execute action in an ethical manner in a given situation while inspiring others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect.
Analysis of Differences in Definitions:
I changed my definition this week to include a reflection of thought and action required in the daily situations a leader faces. Tough decisions must be made daily, not just by leaders, but by everyone. However, as a leader, choosing the ethical or an ethical course of action (depending on whether there may be multiple "right" choices) is imperative because those following are going to look to the leader for guidance and follow in the example of the leader. As Kidder (2003) points out, there may be many "right" decisions and actions a leader may take in a situation because often life is full of gray problems. However, I believe as long as a leader is authentic to their character while making the ethical decision, it is justified as to which "right" decision he/she makes.
Works Cited:
Kidder, R. M. (2003). "Overview: The ethics of right vs. right." How Good People Make Tough Choices (pp. 13 - 29). New York: Simon & Schuster.

]]> Week 5 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.385819 2013-02-18T20:14:58Z 2013-02-18T20:38:06Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation (both current and the foreseeable future) and oneself to inspire others to follow in a similar manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness... gang0118 Last Week's Definition:
Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation (both current and the foreseeable future) and oneself to inspire others to follow in a similar manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in the standard the leader has set.
This Week's Definition:
Leadership is knowing oneself well enough to control a given situation and inspire others to follow. A leader should be authentic in character, so that those who follow willingly do so out of respect.
Analysis of Differences in Definitions:
First, in an attempt to clarify my idea of what leadership is I changed my definition considerably. Also, I changed that a leader must know themselves in order to define their actions. Similar to Lee and Kings (2001), I believe that a leader must know their personal values, beliefs, and standards. However, I do not believe someone is a leader if they do not know themselves well enough to demonstrate that their actions reflect their values, beliefs, etc. A leader cannot gain the trust and respect of those who follow if their actions do not align with their values, thus a leader must be authentic in character, rather than someone putting on a front. In the long run, more problems will arise from the weakness shown at the very person who those others are looking to for direction, vision, or guidance.
Works Cited:
Lee, R. J., & King, S. N. (2001). "Ground your leadership vision in a personal vision."
Discovering the Leader in You: A guide to realizing your personal potential
(pp. 31-54). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, Inc.

]]> Week 4 Leadership Definition tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.384743 2013-02-08T21:43:00Z 2013-02-08T22:04:54Z Last Week's Definition: Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation and oneself to inspire others to follow in the same manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in... gang0118 Last Week's Definition: Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation and oneself to inspire others to follow in the same manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in the standard the leader has set.
This Week's Definition: Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation (both current and the foreseeable future) and oneself to inspire others to follow in a similar manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in the standard the leader has set.
Analysis of Differences in the Definitions: I added in parenthesis to include a time frame of when a leader must positively effect a situation. It is not enough to simply react to problems situation, but provide a clear vision for the future to provide direction (Rath, T. & Conchie, B. 2009). Instead of reacting to fix problems as they arise, providing a plan for prevention founded in a strengthened group of followers is essential. Also, I changed "follow in the same manner" to "follow in a similar manner" because effective leaders must have followers that compliment their skill set or strengths rather than mimic those qualities, while keeping focused on the same goal (Rath T. & Conchie, B. 2009). Focusing on the qualities followers view of a great leader was extremely insightful to read because one is not a leader unless others are willing to follow.
Works Cited:
Rath, T. & Conchie, B. (2009). "Understanding why people follow." Strengths based
leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. (pp. 79-85). New York:
Gallup Press.

]]> What is Leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2013:/gang0118/myleadershipblog//17055.382646 2013-01-22T15:51:57Z 2013-01-22T15:58:26Z Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation and oneself to inspire others to follow in the same manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in the standard the... gang0118 Leadership is a demonstration of one's control over a situation and oneself to inspire others to follow in the same manner. It is not a control over another, but a willingness of the other to continue in the standard the leader has set.

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