Leadership in Team Leadership

LEADERSHIP 8 LEADERSHIP LEADERSHIP Student’s Name University Name Author note Introduction Leadership can be defined as the process by which a person exerts influence on the team members or other people for achieving a common goal or objectives. In order to become a successful leader, it is essential to develop leadership styles and skills and it helps to achieve both personal and professional success (Alexander 2013). Therefore, it is essential to focus on developing and implementing an effective leadership style in the professional and personal development of an

Running head: LEADERSHIP
LEADERSHIP
Student’s Name
University Name
Author note

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Introduction
Leadership can be defined as the process by which a person exerts influence on the team
members or other people for achieving a common goal or objectives. The main purpose of
leadership is to positively influence others in an ethical and consistent manner towards achieving
a common goal or organizational objectives. In order to become a successful leader, it is
essential to develop leadership styles and skills and it helps to achieve both personal and
professional success (Alexander 2013). However, as per studies, leaders often face various
hurdles and challenges in developing leadership skills and ability. Therefore, it is essential to
focus on developing and implementing an effective leadership style in the professional and
personal development of an individual. An individual must have an understanding on different
leadership styles and approaches and the roles of leaders. In my opinion, transformational style
of leadership is the most effective styles of leadership. For this particular essay I have applied
my personal leadership skills with the help of various theoretical models and particularly
referring them to my specific situations and personal experiences. The essay pertains personal,
and professional reflections as well as descriptions of various opportunities that lies in my career
paths along with the future action plan.
Discussion
Background
I was involved in my career path by taking a deeper interest in the people and working in
close collaboration with different people, both clients and colleagues. This influenced me to
develop in leadership skills (Alghazo and Al-Anazi 2016). I undertake various actions and

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courses to continually improve in effectiveness in communicating with people and interacting
with them. After my schooling was completed, I was involved with a travel and hospitality
business organization. I gained many experience from the outset. The experience with the
company improved my interpersonal skills and communication. Moreover, it helped to face the
challenges and difficulties in meeting various kinds of people and addressing to their needs. I
also gained experience in budgetary targets, solving problems, providing training to the
employees and managed the travel and hospitality brand for nearly two years. Apart from that, I
have gained leadership qualifications at school and further increased my leadership qualities and
skills during my years of employment in the tourism and hospitality industry (Antonakis and
House 2013).
The qualifications and skills that I developed in my personal life have been transferred to
my professional life. For example, I was engaged in various public speaking activities being a
chairman of genealogical society, which will help me to enhance my organizational abilities,
presentation and research abilities. I might use these qualities and skills in developing and
settling up my career path. Working with teams in the organization has helped me to develop my
personality styles and helped me to manage and lead different teams and situations (Davison and
Smothers 2015). In my experience I have observed the importance on how my traits and
personality is viewed by others and this has helped me to seek open relationship with my teams.
Further, I have completed skills self assessment study which highlights some of my key
employability skills. On analyzing that I have been recommended to improve on my
interpretation and data collection that is application of numbers, improve my learning skills and
reflecting it on my performance. I have also been suggested to enhance my personal attributes
such as, judgment, adaptability, self confidence and flexibility. Moreover, I also need to improve

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some of my weakness including self criticism and inability to praise achievements (Elwell and
Elikofer 2015). The weakness that I have is defending others and has a tendency to hinder my
own personal development. These are some of the areas in which I need to improve for the future
career goals. On improving these weaknesses I will be able to take up more responsibilities and
offer guidance to the team members. I plan to set future goals and objectives for ensuring
positive development in my career.
Leadership employability skills
I have recently worked on a self assessment exercise of employability skills in my first
semester. I have realized that my main development area lies in problem solving and
interpretation skills (Hackman and Johnson 2013). I believe that my higher education studies
have helped me to contribute to deeper analyzing abilities. Throughout my career line, I not only
faced obstacles to learning but also made significant achievements. These experiences will help
me to lead other team members and guide them in achieving their goals and objectives. Apart
from these experiences I have the ability to recognize the roles and duties of other team
members; I have worked on effective communication and networking. In the process of
developing my management and leadership skills, I have further improved the effectiveness of
interactions and communication which has immensely benefitted me (Hakan, Kiliclar and
Yazicioglu 2013). With my organizational experience and management skills developed in my
degree studies, I can further improve my effectiveness in leadership abilities and fulfill the sense
of achievement. Being a tourism and travel agent’s leader, I played an important role in
promoting the well being of the staffs and guiding professional development. Another aspect is
to continure being flexible and this will help me to maintain a balance between my personal

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goals and the needs of the company while focusing on the goals of business organization along
with the key personal targets and priorities (Komives 2016).
The employability skills assessment study highlights on my leadership style as
transformational. I have the strengths and capabilities that require being a transformational
leader. Some of my traits and personality includes positive attitude, ability to influence and
motivate others in the teams, ability to be a good role model, high level of emotional intelligence
and compelling (McCleskey 2014). These characteristics will help me to overcome the weakness
and be a transformational leader. These personalities are highly rewarding. However, I need to
establish ways to develop assertive skills and overcome negative rumination while focusing on
open communication and building relationships.
For example, in one of my past experience, in my previous performance review, my
manager rated me as ‘achieved’ and not ‘exceeded’. In this case I choose to argue and manage
the situations rather than accepting it. As quoted by Parris and Peachey (2013), “It’s
unreasonable to expect your manager to be entirely responsible for accelerating your career:
ultimately, it’s your own responsibility. Remember that an expectation is also resentment waiting
to happen, and it is very difficult to hide resentment.” I utilized my years of experience and
reappraised my personal development. This helped me to negotiate with the managers in respect
to the position offered which in my opinion was unfulfilling (Pennycook et al. 2014). My
personal attributes and negotiation abilities are two main attributes which could be a part of my
skills now.
I believe that developing a style which empathize the other team members and positively
influencing them to execute work performance has helped me to carry out the activities in a
better way towards a caring leader. Appling the theory of Maslow’s Hierarchy needs ensures that

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my own needs must also be acknowledged along with the needs of the other team members
(Wakabi 2016). However, I must put the needs of other team members which are highly
detrimental for being a successful leader. For example, the announcements on the aircrafts are
instructed to put on the oxygen masks before aiding the other people.
Critical evaluation of the leadership styles
The established theories of leadership styles and approach will help me to analyze my
strengths and weakness in areas of management.
According to Rolková and Farkašová (2015), McGregor’s style of managerial behaviour is based
on the implicit attitude of the people and about the human nature. According to McGregor, there
are two approaches to leadership that is theory X and theory Y (Vargas 2015). Theory X is an
authoritative style of leadership where the main focus of the leaders lay on production.
According to Pennycook et al. (2014), it reflects on the fact that the management must
counteract on the human tendency to avoid work. While on the other hand, theory Y is a
participative style of management which believes in self control and self direction. According to
Pennycook et al. (2014), it is the role of the leader to maximize the commitment. In my
personal experience in leading the team I faced various challenges and issues. Instead of
focusing on problem solving, I found myself constantly focusing on productivity and task due to
the pressure of meeting deadlines. I reacted contrary to my normal priorities. However, generally
I am more team focused rather being task oriented.
Considering the other models, as mentioned by Wakabi (2016), the styles of leadership
carry from person to person. However, everyone has their own styles of leadership approach. On

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analyzing Blake and Mouton model, I realized that my style of leadership was ‘Team leader’
with team management characteristics. My style of leadership was more based on theory Y of
McGregor. According to Hakan, Kiliclar and Yazicioglu (2013), this style of leadership is
considered to be the most effective leadership style as mentioned in the model of Blake and
Mouton. According to Komives (2016), the characteristics of the leader in team management are
empowerment, trust, commitment, and respect. These are also considered to be the key elements
for creating collaborative team atmosphere in the organization. This in turn will lead to high
level of employment as well as production. His further indicates that me as a leader is highly
concerned about both the team members and productivity. As mentioned by Pennycook et al.
(2014), the main focus on this leadership style is teamwork spirit and co-operation among the
team. This also enables the leader to create a safe environment in the team in which commitment
from the team members can be easily attained. However, as mentioned by McCleskey (2014),
there are certain internal and external limitations to this approach of leadership style.
As mentioned by Parris and Peachey (2013), the contingent theory of leadership states the
effectiveness of the leaders and their approach to match the situation. The styles of leadership
can be considered effective when it fits the situation. In my personal experience I have learned
that an effective leader must have the ability to gain the willingness of the followers and ensure
respect and team spirit by delegating work and responsibility. The leaders must positively
influence participation and creativity among the followers. According to Wahab et al. (2016),
this will help to adapt the changing situations and address the challenges and issues of the arising
situation. On the other hand, the followers must be appreciated and provide recognition for their
performance. This will ensure employee engagement and job satisfaction.

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Essentially I have a strong focus on team building, setting goals and have a string focus
on values. I firmly believe that my past and present experience holds greater importance for
learning. I ensure well being of the people and followers that I work with and this of the prime
importance to me. Therefore, it is clear that there is a difference between leadership and
management, however, a good leader have efficient interpersonal skills and attributes as
mentioned by Wakabi (2016). By analyzing different theories and models of leadership, I have
learned to work as a team by overcoming all the challenges and weakness. I am more inclined
towards following a Transformational style of leadership which requires high level of team
participation and delegation of authority.
Conclusion
Therefore, in terms of future leadership goals, I plan to sure myself a position of leader or
manager in the organization that I will be working for. To lead an entire team is a privilege and
to follow a leader is considered to be an opportunity. Therefore, I need to strive myself to get the
work done by my followers out of their own loyalty, respect and commitment rather than
coercion. On reflection, I believe that the team must emphasis on meeting the key performance
targets. I believe that trust is one of the most crucial elements in building relationships in the
team. However, for the future career actions to be successful I need to work on certain
limitations and weakness. I must focus on team building and not deviate from it due to the
pressure of meeting targets. In order to be an effective manager, I must maintain personal
integrity and establish trust among my followers with leadership identity. As for my own style of
leadership, transformational style of leadership can have immense benefit on me and the people

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who work under me. Lines of communication and structures must allow the expression of view
and focus on establishing delivery objectives.

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