February 2012 Archives

Blog #6 (2/23)

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can possess but only some bring to its fullest potential. It is the ability to utilize ones personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can possess but only some bring to its fullest potential. It is the ability to utilize ones personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person while being both apart from the situation and connected to the situation. It is not necessarily leading an entire group, but can be working with a group in harmony to accomplish something. Leadership is value based.

Analysis:

The reading about the 7 C's and relating leadership to a group of musicians impacted my definition slightly. The reading was kind of long and uninspiring but in class the discussion of the 7 C's really made sense to me. When leading, there are several aspects you need to pay attention to, those being the 7 C's. With change being at the hub, there are three value sets and 7 overall values that as a leader one must consider when making any decision. First is consciousness of self, or personal values that motivate you to take action. The other two are congruence and consistency. Next one must look at group values to see if there is commitment and collaboration. Finally, you must look at societies values. Overall the portion about values playing a role in leadership is what influenced my definition.

Citation:

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.

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can posses but only some bring to its fullest potential. Leadership is the ability of a person to utilize their personal strengths to better carry out a variety of qualities and leadership styles in order to influence and inspire a group in a common task. They are ethical people with the ability to see beyond the moment in their leadership and look at the larger picture.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can possess but only some bring to its fullest potential. It is the ability to utilize ones personal strengths in order to pull forth something from another person.

Analysis:

This weeks reading about the biological aspects of leadership did not influence my definition, although I think that it is important to lead with empathy. I felt that my definition needed to be shortened and simplified a little. I took out the ethical portion because although I feel that good leaders should be ethical, they aren't always that way.

Citation:

I did not utilize the readings from class to further define the definition.

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is the ability of a person to utilize their personal strengths to better utilize a variety of qualities and leadership styles in order to influence and inspire a group in a common task. They are ethical people with the ability to see beyond the moment in their leadership and look at the larger picture.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is an innate quality that anyone can posses but only some bring to its fullest potential. Leadership is the ability of a person to utilize their personal strengths to better carry out a variety of qualities and leadership styles in order to influence and inspire a group in a common task. They are ethical people with the ability to see beyond the moment in their leadership and look at the larger picture.

Analysis:

My definition of leadership did not change very much from the week prior. I think the main reason for this is that the reading this week didn't inspire me as much as those readings from weeks prior. What really caused my change was listening to the leadership presentations in class yesterday and hearing what other people thought leadership was.

Citation:

I did not utilize the readings from class to further define the definition.

My definition of leadership is the act in which any individual who stands out amongst a group is able to socially influence the group in a common task or work ethic in order to accomplish something or inspire a change in that group. They posses qualities that enable them to inspire and motivate others; leaders better, not worsen the group they lead.

Last weeks definition:

Leadership is the ability of a person to use a variety of qualities and leadership styles in order to influence and inspire a group in a common task. They are ethical people who use these styles to better the group. Additionally, leadership is the ability to not only live in the moment as leaders, but to see the larger picture.

This weeks definition:

Leadership is the ability of a person to utilize their personal strengths to better utilize a variety of qualities and leadership styles in order to influence and inspire a group in a common task. They are ethical people with the ability to see beyond the moment in their leadership and look at the larger picture.

Analysis:

My definition changed as I read more about the importance of strengths. I learned that everyone has strengths, and it is through these strengths that a person is able to grow and develop into the fullest potential of themselves. In a leader, it is important to have developed these strengths in order to know how to best lead. I also feel that it is important to know that everyone has strengths, but not everyone has the same top strengths. Knowing what your top strengths are is very important in how to team build. Being able to recognize them and work with them is an important thing for a leader to do.

Citation:

Clifton,D.O.,Anderson,E.,& Schreiner, L.vA. (2006). StrengthsQuest: Discover and develop your strengths in academics, career, and beyond. (pp. 1 - 11) New York: Gallup Press.