Dynamic Leadership – Reflective Essay: Personal Development Plan

This reflective essay, addressing the MGT601 Dynamic Leadership module, presents a student's personal leadership development plan. The essay begins by outlining essential qualities of effective leaders, such as commitment to goal achievement, innovative thinking, broad-mindedness, long-term vision, compassion, knowledge, and reliability. The student then conducts a self-assessment, identifying core values and strengths, including responsibility, self-assurance, strategic thinking, and focus. A two-year leadership development plan is proposed, informed by the Whitman Grow Model, followed by strategies for effective implementation. The essay emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership and the cultivation of leadership skills for personal and professional growth. The student aims to demonstrate how these qualities can translate into effective leadership and inspire others. The conclusion reinforces the importance of continuous development and adaptability in leadership.

Running Head: DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Dynamic Leadership – Reflective Essay
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Executive Summary
Being a leader of significant status is very important nowadays, given the decline in morals
and work ethics and the absence of role models in most business organizations. A good leader
steers his workers in the right direction and enables them to accomplish the goals and aims of
the business organization efficiently and adequately. This reflective essay outlines a personal
leadership development plan by highlighting the qualities of good leaders, emphasizing
personal traits or strengths that will facilitate good leadership abilities and mentioning a two
year leadership plan based on the Whitman Grow Model. The essay concludes with effective
strategies for the implementation of the leadership plan.

2DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
1. Understanding the Qualities that Make a Good Leader......................................................3
1.1. Committed to Goal Achievement................................................................................3
1.2. Innovative Thinker......................................................................................................4
1.3. Broad Minded and Progressive.......................................................................................4
1.4. Thinks of the Long Term.............................................................................................4
1.5. Compassionate and Caring..........................................................................................5
1.6. Well Read and Knowledgeable...................................................................................5
1.7. Reliable and Dependable.............................................................................................5
2. Self Assessment..................................................................................................................6
2.1. Identification of Core Values and Strengths...............................................................6
2.1.1. Responsibility..........................................................................................................6
2.1.2. Self Assurance and Strategic Thinking....................................................................7
2.1.3. Focus........................................................................................................................7
2.1.4. Significance.............................................................................................................8
3. Leadership Development Plan for the Next Two Years.....................................................9
4. Implementation Strategies for Effective Leadership........................................................10
Conclusion................................................................................................................................11
References................................................................................................................................13

3DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Introduction
Being a leader is of vital importance in today’s day and age, in a time when
immorality is on the rise and when leading by example appears to be a thing of the past.
Leadership is not necessarily a skill that is bestowed on people who have high authority
(Bolden, 2016). Leadership can also be cultivated, nurtured and practiced by individuals who
do not hold managerial positions or authoritative positions but who are still confident and
assertive enough in order to be regarded as leaders. The more leaders there are in the world,
the better the world will be as a place. Yet developing and practicing leadership is not as easy
as it seems. One really needs to set an example and do everything that is right and acceptable
in order to be followed by others. One needs to lead an ethical and honest life, and make a
commitment to uphold the truth and nothing but the truth in all matters (Aarons et al., 2015).
In this essay, I outline my personal leadership development plan to be implemented over the
next ten years based on the integrated personal development model. I highlight my various
strengths while discussing this plan in detail, justifying in conclusion why I think I could
make a good, effective leader and command respect in society.
1. Understanding the Qualities that Make a Good Leader
1.1. Committed to Goal Achievement
A good leader is somebody who needs to have a number of positive traits and
qualities if this is a person who is to be looked up to. Firstly, a good leader must be
committed to achieving the goals or aims that he sets himself to achieve. There is no point in
harboring lofty goals, if one does not have the dedication and the commitment that is needed
in order to realize such goals in the first place (Black, 2015).

4DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
1.2. Innovative Thinker
Secondly, a good and positive leader is a person who is able to think outside of the box.
Rigid, conservative and narrow thinking does not make a good leader at all as such a person
will be regressive in nature. The regressive and orthodox leader will motivate those working
under him to stay in the background and be exclusive and conservative in their outlook, thus
failing to instill in them the sense of adventure and risk taking that they need in order to face
and overcome challenges at the workplace and elsewhere, readily (Clinton, 2018).
1.3. Broad Minded and Progressive
The good leader is an individual who is broad based and progressive in character and
inclusive in approach to others. The best leaders are those who are able to unite people from
diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds under their leadership, not to mention diverse
religious backgrounds, in order to achieve common goals. A leader who has positive qualities
and who is a person that other people look up to will never be discriminatory in attitude to
others and will try to be as open minded and inclusive as possible especially when dealing
with a diverse group of people (Bolden, 2016).
1.4. Thinks of the Long Term
Thirdly, a good leader is a person who thinks for the long term, that is, a person who
develops long term goals rather than settling for short term plans and agendas. The best
leaders like to aim for the completion of work and the achievements of targets for over an
extensive period of time instead of simply being satiated with meeting deadlines and goals in
the short term. Such a leader is one who encourages those who are working under him to give
their best all through the year and on all days of the week, rather than on select occasions
(Frich et al., 2015).

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1.5. Compassionate and Caring
The best leaders are individuals who are compassionate and who care about the
people who are working under them. A good leader will never be oppressive in nature and
will never demean or discourage the person or the people working under him. On the other
hand, a good leader will do everything in his power to encourage those working under his
supervision, so that they feel motivated enough to do their best under his leadership instead of
feeling discouraged and wanting to opt out of a project or agenda at the earliest (Huntrodes et
al. 2017).
1.6. Well Read and Knowledgeable
The best leaders are individuals who encourage learning and who want those working
under than them to be as well read and as knowledgeable as possible on the issues or the
areas that they are working on. Such leaders are people who will place a good deal of
emphasis on both bookish as well as practical knowledge, so that the people that are entrusted
to work under their leadership will acquire the information, the perspectives and the skills
that are needed to carry out a diverse or wide range of tasks and duties with success (Clinton,
2018).
1.7. Reliable and Dependable
The good leader is a man who can be relied upon at any given point of time, but
especially on the occasion of a crisis. Reliability and dependability are two essential
characteristics of good leaders. Leaders are individuals who their subordinates look up to for
guidance and support. It is therefore imperative for leaders to show that their juniors can rely
on them in a critical situation, or when they are faced with challenging situations. The best
leaders are people who can be reached over phone or in person at any given hour of the day,

6DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
in order to help out their juniors or subordinates handle essential tasks and duties with
perfection (Aarons et al., 2015)
2. Self Assessment
2.1. Identification of Core Values and Strengths
2.1.1. Responsibility
One of the most important strengths that I possess, which I believe can go a long way
in making me a good leader is responsibility. I am one of the most responsible people in my
work place and in my family and can be counted on for performing just about any and every
duty without worry. The elders in my family as well as the younger members of my family
know that they can count on me to get things done, even if I am not feeling well or am not too
well disposed towards the chores that I have to perform or the duties that I have to carry out.
As a responsible member of society, I make sure to lead a disciplined life, not allowing
anything in my schedule to go awry on a day to day basis. Being responsible is one of my
biggest strengths and it will definitely make me a good leader over the next ten years, given
that I will be fully committed to the tasks that I do. As far as responsibility is concerned, it is
not only the fact that I am alone responsible for the way that I lead my life or the
responsibility that I show when doing my professional duties, but also the fact that I
encourage other people in my immediate society to be responsible as well, that can make me
a good and effective leader in the coming ten years. I do not like seeing others waste their
time or not being committed to the work that they do, and I am assertive enough to let them
know of the same.

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2.1.2. Self Assurance and Strategic Thinking
Self-assurance and being strategic are two other strengths that I possess, and which I
believe will help me go a long way as a leader. As a self-assured person, I know what my
limitations are, and I know what I am good at. I will never be the type of person to impose on
the people who are working under my supervision, but will instead encourage them to do the
best that they can. Self-assurance is something that I believe every individual should possess
in order to be able to lead life on his or her own terms. I cannot imagine being dictated by
others in my daily life and would not want to dictate to others in turn. By being self aware
and self assured, I have the confidence that I need to capitalize on all my merits to be the best
that I can be at the work I do, and encourage those working under me or for me to do just the
same. The fact that I have a strategic bent of mind and usually devise a strategy or a plan of
action prior to undertaken any type of task is also something that I believe can really help me
to develop my leadership skills. I am a well-planned person and have a plan of action ready to
be implemented in both positive and negative circumstances. By being of a strategic bent of
mind, I get to avoid disasters very easily and even in the event that a disaster occurs, I am
able to take control of the situation quite readily instead of being at a loss as to what to do.
Hence both strategic thinking and self assurance can have a significant role to play in getting
me to be a good leader in the next ten years. Such qualities will enable me to perform my
duties and functions in the manner that is desired and also encourage others to do exactly the
same, especially those working under my supervision, who are directly answerable to me and
to no one else.
2.1.3. Focus
Another important strength that I possess, which I believe can go a long way in
helping me to be a good leader, is focus. My focus and my concentration skills are fantastic
and I believe in going after what I want. It is difficult to get me distracted once I have decided

8DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
that I am going to pursue a certain goal. I will end up achieving it no matter what. The focus
that I have and how I use it to lead my personal and professional life, is something that I feel
I can rub off on others too, being a good leader in the bargain. I can encourage and motivate
the people who are assigned to work under my leadership, showing them why they need to
take charge of their lives and their work and letting them know about the importance of not
allowing distractions to come in the way of achieving important work and personal goals.
Focus is not something that everyone is born with but it is definitely something that can be
achieved by people over the long term. By following a well disciplined life and upon being
adequately trained, people can be encouraged to be thoroughly focused on the work that they
do, becoming diligent workers in the long run. The more focused I am in the work that I do
and the more I harp on those working under me being focused as well, the better I will
emerge as a leader over the next ten years.
2.1.4. Significance
Finally, a very crucial value that I possess, and which I believe will stand me in good
stead as a leader in the coming ten years is significance. It is very important to be aware of
one’s own worth, if one has to do a good job of leading from the front. If I lack the self worth
that is needed in order to lead my life and do my work with confidence, I will not be in a
position to encourage other people who are working under me to do the same. I have a lot of
faith in my own abilities as a worker and as a leader and firmly believe that I can achieve
anything that I set my sights on achieving if I work hard and dedicatedly towards such a goal.
It is this same value that I can inculcate as a leader, in those who are working under me,
giving them the inspiration and the positivity that they need in order to accomplish anything
and everything that they wish to without doubting themselves even once. By establishing a
firm and positive attitude in those who remain under my supervision, I will get them to

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progress, to proceed in forward direction and not let any challenges or obstacles come in their
way.
3. Leadership Development Plan for the Next Two Years
I personally believe, that two years is a sufficient time framework within which to
develop leadership skills and abilities, as it gives me enough time to get to know the
people who are working under my leadership, on a personal level, and become acquainted
with their traits, merits ad de-merits.
Based on the Whitman Grow Model, I have developed a leadership plan for the next two
years as follows (Clinton, 2018) -
Year 1 Year 2
Goal  To Keep people
motivated always
 To be Persistent and
to Teach Persistence
 To Cultivate Respect
 To Encourage the
Hunger and Desire
to Succeed
 To Foster
Dedication and
Motivation
Reality Workers are likely to be prone
to depression and disrespectful
of a new leader
Workers may not have the
incentive to work to potential
due to extenuating factors like
pay and work conditions

10DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
Obstacles Resistance shown on the part
of workers to the new
leadership
Lack of motivation and
depression on the part of
workers to do their best
Options Getting to know workers on a
one to one basis to get them to
open up
 To be friendly with
workers
 To encourage
criticism
 To personally take
on challenges and
obstacles to motivate
workers
Way Forward Winning the confidence of the
workers to ensure complete
acquiescence in the long term
Highlighting the reasons time
and again as to why workers
need to be motivated to do
their jobs in the best possible
way, by placing special
emphasis on financial and
other incentives
4. Implementation Strategies for Effective Leadership
Some of the ways by which I intend to implement strategies and plans in order to emerge
as an effective leader, are as follows –

11DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP – REFLECTIVE ESSAY
 To be as friendly as possible in my attitude towards those working under my
leadership so that they feel encouraged to talk to me instead of shying away when
I call for a meeting or hold an important discussion.
 To encourage criticism and difference of opinion should this arise in the midst of
meetings, discussions and briefings. It is necessary to encourage different voices
to be expressed if the people who are entrusted under my care and leadership are
to do their best.
 To lead by example and come to meetings on time and work as hard as people
working under me are, so that those who are indeed working under my leadership
feel encouraged in every way possible to do their utmost for me and everything
that I stand for and represent.
 To be strict and disciplined with my workers so that they do not end up slacking in
any way whatsoever. While it is certainly necessary to be easy going, leaders must
also know when to tighten the rope to make sure that goals and agendas are
accomplished in a timely manner.
 To hold regular meetings and discussions and to follow up on work via email and
through social media platforms in order to make sure that I myself, as well as
those working under my leadership are up to date with their work and are not
lagging behind in any respect.
Conclusion
Being a leader and an effective leader at that, is quite an honor, given the fact that
leadership roles are not easy to fulfill and that there is enormous respect and prestige
associated with such roles as well. If a person is to be a good and effective leader and that too
over a long period of time, it is necessary to be cognizant of one’s own skills, strengths and