Reflection Paper on Authentic and Ethical Leadership

This reflection paper discusses the different approaches of authentic leadership, behavioural characteristics of an authentic leader, importance of ethical leadership, interrelationship between culture and leadership, and more. The paper highlights the theories and perspectives of authentic and ethical leadership, and how they contribute to the growth of individuals and organizations. The paper also provides insights into the cultural dimensions and their correlation with leadership behaviour.

Running head: REFLECTION PAPER
REFLECTION PAPER
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author Note:

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Table of contents
Chapter 9:.........................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 10........................................................................................................................................2
Chapter 13........................................................................................................................................3
Chapter 16........................................................................................................................................5
Reference list...................................................................................................................................6

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Chapter 9:
From this particular chapter I have developed the idea that authentic leadership is an
important part of leadership theories and in this highly competitive world, the demand for this
type of leadership has seen upsurge demands. Through this chapter I have understood the aspects
of authentic leadership and how the theory has been understood by different viewpoints. It is
interpersonal perspectives, interpersonal process and developmental perspectives. I have pointed
out that there are two chief approaches to authentic leadership which include the practical
approach and theoretical approach. There are four components of this theory as pointed out by
the theorist like Luthans in his authentic leadership development. In this regard the theorist has
opined that self-awareness, internationalised moral perspectives, Balanced processing and
relational transparency (Komives & Wagner 2016). I have also gained intense knowledge about
the connection between authentic leadership and positive psychology which helps the people to
gain confidence on the self-efficiency. Thus, lead to have satisfaction in work and normal life.
There are different factors that contribute in the development of the authentic leadership. Moral
reasoning, critical life incidents and positive psychological capabilities are also some practical
aspects of authentic leadership which are more purposeful, value centred, self-disciplined and
compassionate.
Chapter 10
During the learning process I have learned about the different approaches of authentic
leadership. In this chapter the important behavioural characteristics of an authentic leader, that
can help to make the authentic leadership in more formative phrase of development. It has been
identified by me that good and honest leaders are awards being appreciated by the people.
Komives and Wagner (2016), opined that depending on different perspectives of individuals, the

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authentic leadership characteristics are being enhanced. Intrapersonal, interpersonal and
development perspectives are the three important elements of authentic leadership. Analysing
different leadership components I have identified internationalized moral perspective, self-
awareness, relational transparency and balanced processing are the important components of
authentic leadership. Desire of an authentic leader is to serve the people by enhancing the
behavioural characteristics such as self-discipline, strong values, strong sense and trusting
relationship with people. I have also learned about the five dimensions of authentic leadership
such as compassion, consistency, connectedness, behaviour and passion. In this particular
chapter, it has been identified by me that the behaviour and value of the authentic leader help to
develop the clear idea on individuals’ mind. In this chapter, I have learned that people mostly
prefer the transparent characteristics of the leader, which makes a leader beyond stereotypical.
While learning the chapter, the internalized moral perspective of the leader has been considered
as the self-regulatory process. Balanced processing has been also learned by me which is another
part of self-regulatory behaviour. I have learned that relational transparency of the leader helps to
share the feelings and motivate others in an appropriate manner. In this chapter George
mentioned that in order to stimulate the life of individuals, the authentic leadership plays an
influential role. The chapter has argued that authentic leadership is being considered as the
collective process. Through this chapter the positive psychological capacities of an authentic
leader have been highlighted, which has helped me to analyse these influences on moral
reasoning as well as critical live events.
Chapter 13
The chapter has shed light on the importance of ethical leadership in case of bringing the
growth in corporate world. In this chapter, it has been analysed by me that after the year 1996,

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the leadership ethics have been introduced in the corporate world. As per my understanding, in
order to contribute more in the social and economic environment, ethical leadership practices
have been introduced. While learning the definition of ethics, I have analysed that depending on
the behavioural nature of the leaders, virtuousness, decision making abilities and involvement of
individuals, ethical values and beliefs are being established. Depending on the choice of the
leader, the moral as well as corporate ethics can be maintained. In this chapter, the author has
mentioned about three levels of moralities such as pre conventional morality, conventional
morality and post conventional morality. Komives and Wagner (2016), stated that the pre
conventional morality indicates two stages such as obedience and punishment on the other hand,
the second level indicates the individualism and exchange. The conventional morality plays an
important role for judging the expectations of the individuals. In case of post conventional
morality, the individuals’ moral and ethics are bring developed depending on their behaviour.
Analysing the ethical theories I have identified that leadership and ethics are the two important
domains, which consequence the corporate actions in the workplace. Highlighting the
technological approach, the chapter has helped me to learn about the decision making
capabilities of employees and its contribution in maximizing the profit level. From this chapter it
has been analysed by me that the ethical theories are being developed depending on the self and
others interest. From this chapter, I have learned about the demonological and technological
theoretical approaches, which are important for driving the ethical behavioural characteristics of
a leader. Honesty, modesty, fairness, self-control, generosity, temperance and courage are the
important characteristics of a person, which makes the person ethical. In this chapter, different
ethical leadership perspectives of Heifetz and Burn, have been learned by me.

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Chapter 16
This chapter has focused on inter relationship between culture and leadership. From this
chapter, I have learned about that culture is being developed depending on the norms, rules,
values and traditions. Diversity and multicultural implications are being considered as the
important elements of leadership practice (Komives & Wagner, 2016). I have also learned that
the concept of prejudice and ethnocentrism are being considered as the important concepts,
which plays an important role for driving the culture and leadership approaches. I have learned
that the concept of ethnocentrism, can effectively create barriers for developing the leadership
practices. On the other hand, attitudes of individuals are being highlighted depending on the
prejudice concept. In this chapter, I have learned about the two dimensions of culture such as
person VS task orientation and egalitarian VS hierarchical. The chapter has helped me to
understand that Hofstede major dimensions introduced by Hofstede, such as uncertainty
avoidance, individualism-collectivism, power distance, masculinity-femininity and long-term-
short-term orientation. Analysing the globe research, nine cultural dimensions such as
uncertainty avoidance, power distance, performance orientation, future orientation, gender
egalitarianism, assertiveness, ion group collectivism, institutional collectivism and humane
orientation have been learned by me. In this chapter, I have also learned about the correlation
between leadership behaviour and culture. By highlighting different countries such as Middle
East, Latin Europe, Eastern Europe, Germanic Europe, Latin America, Nordic Europe,
Confucian Asia, Anglo and Southern Asia, and various cultural dimensions as well as cultural
clusters have been learned by me through this chapter.

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Reference list
Komives, S. R., & Wagner, W. (Eds.). (2016). Leadership for a better world: Understanding the
social change model of leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.