Thoughts of Joe Uter tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012-09-07:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555 2012-12-05T03:29:28Z This is a blog containing personal thoughts towards Personal Leadership class at the University of Minnesota. Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en Eleventh definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.379086 2012-12-05T03:25:17Z 2012-12-05T03:29:28Z Last week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group... uterx007 Last week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group or team setting.

This week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group or team setting.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I decided to leave my current definition of leadership the same as last week's. I didn't have any experiences or thoughts over the past week that could improve the current definition. Also after analyzing the course readings for this week, I didn't feel that they would help me improve the current definition of leadership that I have.

]]> Tenth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.377686 2012-11-28T16:40:10Z 2012-11-28T16:45:47Z Last week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group... uterx007 Last week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group or team setting.

This week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group or team setting.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I decided to leave my current definition of leadership the same as last week's. I didn't have any experiences or thoughts over the past week that could improve the current definition. Also after analyzing the course readings for this week, I didn't feel that the topic of "intentional change" could be help improve the definition either. I think the definition addresses all aspects that are important to becoming a leader at this time.

]]> Ninth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.377022 2012-11-21T00:51:18Z 2012-11-21T01:16:36Z Last week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. This week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others... uterx007 Last week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision.

This week's definition: By incorporating a 720-degree feedback, a leader will better influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. Leadership also consists of being able to collaborate effectively in a group or team setting.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I decided to add to my previous definition of leadership by inserting a sentence regarding group work collaboration. I think a leader is one who flourishes in a group or team work setting with intentions of successfully accomplishing a task. In the article by Komives, Lucas and McMahon (1998), there is discussion on the importance of teamwork and how members of an effective team are considered to be leaders. The authors also go on to say that strength is within teamwork rather than from individuals. Adding this key concept of teamwork ties into my definition because all members of a team or group need to strive towards a common vision and trust each other as well. Providing and receiving feedback, making ethical decisions, and collaborating within a group will help one succeed in becoming a successful leader.


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.

]]> Eighth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.376004 2012-11-14T01:09:44Z 2012-11-14T01:17:37Z Last week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision. This week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining... uterx007 Last week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision.

This week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I decided to leave my current definition of leadership the exact same. Over the past two weeks I have not had any experiences or thoughts that could improve this definition at this time. Also after analyzing the course readings for this week, I could not develop an opinion on how the subject of "racism" could improve my definition. I think racism is important to think about in scenarios that are related to leadership. The current definition can relate to a leadership scenario regarding racism at it stands presently by addressing the trust and influence of others as well as making ethical decisions.

]]> Seventh definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.373622 2012-10-30T02:09:37Z 2012-10-30T02:27:05Z Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision. This week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision.

This week's definition: After a 720-degree feedback, a leader will influence others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I added the "720-degree feedback" concept to this week's leadership definition. After reading Kegan and Lahey's article, I've become aware of the importance in receiving critical feedback from the people in your private and public life (2009). I agree with the authors with their analysis of a leader being not only self-aware, but also conceptualizing how people close to you can identify a full profile detailing strengths and areas for improvement for your benefit.

Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2009). "Identifying Each Person's One Big Thing" (pp. 63 - 67). Boston: Harvard Business Press.

]]> Sixth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.372500 2012-10-22T03:23:17Z 2012-10-22T03:36:24Z Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision. This week's definition: Leadership consists of being a servant who influences other by gaining their trust and making... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision.

This week's definition: Leadership consists of being a servant who influences other by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill a vision.

Analysis of two definitions: As opposed to last week's definition, I added "being a servant" to my definition of leadership for this week. According to Barbuto and Wheeler (2007), leaders are guided by a desire to serve others, and I completely agree with the authors' opinions in their article. I think that people that provide service to other people and their community over their own self-interest are considered to be leaders.


Barbuto, J. E., & Wheeler, D. W. (2007). "Becoming a Servant Leader: Do you have what it takes?" Retrieved from www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1481/build/g1481.pdf

]]> Fifth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.371338 2012-10-15T02:40:01Z 2012-10-15T02:48:50Z Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision. This week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision.

This week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision.

Analysis of two definitions: I decided to not change my emerging definition of leadership for this week. Due to my past experiences and from understanding the course readings, I felt that my current definition is very coherent. In the article for this week, Heifetz (2009) discusses the permanent crisis as the new normal, and leadership of the 21st century as needing to address the demands of fast-pace, high-stakes challenges. I didn't feel that this had an impact on making me articulate even further into my emerging definition of leadership.


Heifetz, R., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). "Leadership in a (permanent) crisis." Harvard Business Review, 87(7), 62-69. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=keh&AN=41997981&site=ehost-livee

]]> Fourth definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.370416 2012-10-08T14:38:56Z 2012-10-08T14:55:59Z Last week's definition: Leadership is creating a vision and influencing others to follow by gaining their trust. This week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision. Analysis... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership is creating a vision and influencing others to follow by gaining their trust.

This week's definition: Leadership consists of influencing others by gaining their trust and making ethical decisions in efforts to fulfill your vision.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week's definition is different, because I added "making ethical decisions." In the second reading, Kidder discusses how facing right-versus-right choices can frame one's personal morals (2003). I think making tough choices is a critical part in providing leadership and some of these decisions really define who we are. Once there is a vision, the next step is gaining trust and making ethical decisions which intends on empowering people to follow.

Kidder, R. M. (2003). "Overview: The ethics of right vs. right." How Good People Make Tough Choices (pp. 13 - 29). New York: Simon & Schuster.

]]> Third definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.367306 2012-09-30T23:56:51Z 2012-10-01T00:52:20Z Last week's definition: Leadership is positively influencing others by building trust through using your words or actions. This week's definition: Leadership is creating a vision and influencing others to follow by gaining their trust. Analysis of the two definitions: This... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership is positively influencing others by building trust through using your words or actions.

This week's definition: Leadership is creating a vision and influencing others to follow by gaining their trust.

Analysis of the two definitions: This week I after reading one of the assigned articles, I decided to implement "creating a vision." According to Lee and King, your leadership will lack clear purpose if there is no vision or internal clarity (2001). I think that influencing others to follow the direction that you want to take is very powerful in becoming a leader. Once there is direction due to a certain passion or purpose, then one can empower others to follow. However people will also follow if you have earned their trust. I think that vision and trust are two important characteristics in becoming a leader.

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.

]]> Second definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.366694 2012-09-25T22:25:42Z 2012-09-26T01:16:21Z Last week's definition: Leadership is having the ability to positively influence others by your words or actions. This week's definition: Leadership is positively influencing others by building trust through using your words or actions. Analysis of the differences in the... uterx007 Last week's definition: Leadership is having the ability to positively influence others by your words or actions.

This week's definition: Leadership is positively influencing others by building trust through using your words or actions.

Analysis of the differences in the definitions: I changed this week's definition by adding "building trust." In the course reading, Rath and Conchie (2009) discussed the importance of being trustworthy in the workplace. If you and the people that work for the same company cannot be honest with one another then it will be difficult to be productive and progressive. The authors considered that attaining leadership qualities is about building trust from your piers and/or coworkers. I agree with this analysis completely, and it influenced my second definition of leadership.

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.

]]> First definition of leadership tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2012:/uterx007/thoughtsofjoeuter//16555.364603 2012-09-07T21:16:10Z 2012-09-07T21:18:16Z Leadership is having the ability to positively influence others by your words or actions.... uterx007 Leadership is having the ability to positively influence others by your words or actions.

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