Assessing My Current State of Leadership:
As I chase the ultimate goal of an authentic leader, I am constantly focused on developing the leadership capabilities that were not illustrated as one of my natural components. According to my Competing Values Framework, I am currently defined as a leader with natural leadership capabilities within the yellow section, known as collaboration quadrant. I realized that I was a person who emphasized team participation, and team cooperation. This is evident in almost everything I take part in. When it comes to communication among the people I am around every day, I noticed that I always try to resolve conflicts peacefully through a compromise between the two or more parties. This demonstrates my collaboration aspect, coinciding with the way I try to get everyone’s words and opinions into the conversation and how I emphasize cohesiveness among my groups. As I currently participate in my team assignment, I always make sure that everyone participates the way they are supposed to, and that no member becomes too in control of the group’s decisions. I feel that I bring a sense of mindfulness alongside a great deal of principle to the team.
My current state of leadership resides in the two leadership aspects of responsible freedom and authentic engagement. The current gap between my current state of leadership and my fundamental state of leadership can be identified by assessing the strengths I must make even stronger to establish myself at a maximum. My Personality test results from the Big Five test, reveals myself as someone who is very conscientious and responsible
. I have a huge calendar in my room where I write all of my deadlines down so that I can be reminded of them every day when I wake up. This can help me reach my Fundamental State of Leadership because when I am focused on getting a task done, I will not shy away from a confrontation or difficult task just to avoid an uncomfortable situation or conflict. Also, since my lowest score on the Big Five test was extraversion, it is easy for me to block out external stimuli in order to stay on task and avoid risk.
Motivation is the key to development. I believe that when someone can identify what motivates them, they can use that reason to live a life of fulfillment. Personally, after completing the motivation assessment, I have realized that I am motivated by seeking a reward for my behaviour. Applying this to school work, I am motivated to study hard in order to achieve a grade that I believe is fulfilling.
After participating in a confidence test, my results revealed that I have average confidence and that in order to remain confident, I must be successful after completing a large amount of hard work. The results told me that I can sometimes be too hard on myself and that I should reflect on weather external factors were involved if I fail a task. I have a high self-efficacy which I am proud of; however I can learn to make it stronger. The best way I believe I can increase my self-efficacy is by learning to take pride in my work even when it results in failure.
I have always been a role model for my younger brother since we were little. He has always looked up to me so I asked him to give me feedback about my current state of leadership. He believes that I am a person of responsibility and cautiousness. I am always on top of things and I never “jump the gun” on situations. He said that in order to improve my leadership skills, I needed to take charge more often. He said that I inspire people through my actions which is a good asset; but I should try to use my voice more often to convince, command, or lead others.
When asked about a leader whom I admire the most, the name Kevin O’Leary comes to mind. O’Leary is the co-founder and Chairman of O’Leary Funds, the co-founder of SoftKey (a publisher and distributor of CD-ROM based personal computer software), a
nd a famous investor. Everyone knows who he is. Two fundamental states of leadership that Kevin O’Leary demonstrates are responsible freedom, and authentic engagement. O’Leary is unafraid to engage himself in the world around him and to challenge others to do the same. He is clearly also responsible with his finances having a net worth of $400 million US dollars. In order to reach my goal to become an effective leader like Kevin, I must become more outgoing and assertive when it comes to getting things done. I also must not be afraid to be confronted or to confront people. As I develop as a leader, I should always remind myself of what motivates me, as well as what role can I play in teams determined by my strengths and where I can improve as a leader.
Setting Leadership Development Goals:
Vision:
As a facilitator, I am eager to engage myself and others into team activities. I value the freedom to share ideas and receive honest feedback.
As I develop into an authentic leader it is important to guide myself using specific goals, as well as using those goals to become stronger in the controlling and competing quadrants of the Competing Values Framework. At this point in time I have set out two goals that I feel will encourage me to develop and be rewarded for my success. I have set up two SMARTER goal charts to break down what each goal I set intends to achieve, how I will accomplish that goal, and how I will measure my success or failure of each task.
Goal 1: Network more, and meet with a new person each week throughout my University experience
Goal 2: Mentor a struggling student in hopes of them achieving academic success
