Course Reflections
Two months ago, in my conception, leadership was a process in which an
individual (leader), focused in a holistic and systemic view of the
organization, influence a person or group of people (followers) to achieve a
common goal based on the mission and vision of the organization itself, while
taking in consideration not just the goal but the individuals involved.
Nowadays
I would not change my definition, but add two considerations while explaining it,
based on my studies, discussions and self-reflection throughout the course. Starting
by organization, the term is not
only related to the political and corporative world. Organization in this
definition includes your own self, the core of every relation in leadership, where
all the theories is applicable, since we influence our own actions, emotions
and mind, learn from self-reflection, ask ourselves question and act towards
changes.
In the matter of influence, a leader, seeking for effective leadership, influences a
follower by building a relationship. This relationship must be genuine and
based on trust empathy, and consideration, through emotional and rational
intelligence.
In my professional environment, I can say I am
situational leader, who try to consider every possibility, analyzing the
situation and the people involved to make the best decision, being a decision
for a final goal or for the process itself. This way, there are times I am
directive, others I am supportive, when time permits I teach my followers
(which comes along with the coaching style, even if the components of coaching
cannot be applicable in my work environment due to lack of time) and constantly
I delegate tasks to everyone who is willing to learn something new or improve
the performance in a specific area. Being situational, I am as well an
authentic leader, and I lead by example. I aspire to trust more my followers
when I am not around, but with the history of the department it is a
challenging task to aspire. Still, I think I can influence the situation to
make sure things are done when I am not present, being more directive in some
occasions, more supportive in other and delegate even more.
In my personal life, I can say I mix all approaches
and styles, again, according the situation. I am passionate about helping and
assisting on making the way clear to ease some arduous steps for those I love
(path-goal). I roll my sleeves up and go out in the “dirty” not measuring anything
to make people around me happy (servant). I am very social, charismatic and I
love interaction, and often I am a way of transformation on people’s life - being
on changing a point of view or dealing directly with hard moments (transformational).
I try constantly to adapt to environment, conditions and factors which
influence the situation (adaptive). I aspire to be more emotionally intelligent, controlling my emotions while dealing with challenging situations, and to be more considerate towards others' feelings.
No matter in which sphere, I am always an authentic
leader. Not necessarily as follower but always as leader. The important
learning, in any time we are acting as leaders or followers, is to understand
and respect other’s perspective, believing that there is a reason behind every
decision, and do never judge the individual around us, independent of formal
rank, without taking in consideration all possible variables, the ones affecting
or being affected by the situation, directly or indirectly on the decision.
We all need to give a vow of trust to people around,
to our organization and to ourselves, and from this point on work on more
possibilities, alternatives and different perspectives, through a deep critical
thinking.
