Second Week Definition

Last week's definition: I believe leadership means being an outstanding role model of an individual in some aspect of life or business. It means having courage, responsibility, and self-motivation to achieve goals, set standards, get things done, or brave new horizons.

This week's definition: Leadership means being a role model in command of one's role, whether officially defined, or unofficially formed by distinctive traits that make one successful.

After reading both the StrengthsQuest article and the analysis of role assignments, I am beginning to see leadership qualities that emerge from having defined traits or roles and thriving within them. As the role analysis article demonstrates, students succeed at accomplishing tasks when assigned definite leadership roles, such as starter or moderator, which I think allows for leadership due to the focus and responsibility within those roles. Similarly, the StrengthsQuest article notes certain characteristics that when fully refined and realized, allow for any individual to become a leader due to one's own strengths and defined traits, or, undefined roles, in a similar manner.

References:
De Wever, B. B., Van Keer, H. H., Schellens, T. T., & Valcke, M. M. (2009). Structuring asynchronous discussion groups: the impact of role assignment and self-assessment on students' levels of knowledge construction through social negotiation. Journal Of Computer Assisted Learning, 25(2), 177-188.

Clifton, D., Anderson, E., and Schreinder, L. (2006). StrengthsQuest: Discover and develop your strengths in academics, career, and beyond.New York: Gallup Press. Pages: 26 - 70.