Paradigm Shift: Personal and Professional Leadership Reflection

This reflective writing piece delves into a significant paradigm shift experienced by the author, a Head Research Analyst at a multinational pharmaceutical company. The author reflects on a transition from a democratic to a delegative leadership style, triggered by an incident where a subordinate's input proved partially correct, challenging the author's initial perspective. The essay explores the importance of adaptability, the value of team collaboration, and the recognition that no single individual holds all the answers. It emphasizes the significance of the 'we' factor over the 'I' factor in fostering a successful and ethical work environment. The author outlines the next steps, which include expanding the sphere of trust, respecting all decisions, and adopting a free-reign leadership style to foster equal respect for all team members' contributions, ultimately resulting in an enhanced leadership approach. The author concludes by highlighting the universal relevance of paradigm shifts across various aspects of life, from personal development to professional settings.

PARADIGM AND
PRINCILPES
INSIDE-OUT

Purpose
The main purpose of this reflexive writing is to provide an
inside-out look of the paradigm shift that I have experienced
in my life.

What did you learn?
• I have learned a lot of
things in my lifetime till
now. But the main truth I
learned is that nothing is
permanent in this world.
Change is inevitable and
we need to adopt ourselves
with the changes so that
life becomes easier and
meaningful.

I used to be a democratic type leader throughout my life and used to decide upon the
final decision myself but one incident has changed my inner self and have learnt the
importance of delegative leadership. In life such situations do happen that shift the
paradigm and new way of looking into the old things became much meaningful and easier
(Du, Lindgreen & Sen, 2013).
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I used to work at a
Multinational pharma
company as a Head
Research Analyst.
Me and my team work
on various pharma
research formulations
and I finally decide
upon the composition of
the specific drug.
The situation did not affect
me negatively but gives a
positive vibe that I cannot
be right always and need to
listen to subordinates if
needed without any superior
complexity. And my
paradigm shift thus helped
the company save the
losses that were to be
incurred if I did not change
my mentality.
One event changed my
perspective of myself
being the ultimate
person to decide upon
the composition as I was
proved partially correct
by one of my
subordinate.

Importanc
e Relevance Significance
Paradigm shift is important
in individuals as it help
them perceive the other
side of theirs which was
unknown to them. It may be
between two individuals or
may be oneself. Here my
case is solo and the shift
has caused my work ethics
to shift from their old
positions. My character
formation was enhanced by
paradigm shift and resulted
in increased ethical conduct
which help in shaping the
overall personality of the
inner self in me.
The fact that I may not be right
always was unknown to me and I
always thought that I can never
be wrong and trusted myself the
most. But the paradigm shift has
increased my outward motor skills
and I leant that the other person
could be more reliable in specific
situations. I learnt to accept the
fact that no one is less and have
equal right to support the success
of the organization he/she is
associated with. Not only the
strategic management is
responsible for business success,
but each department and
individual is responsible and their
part should be equally valued.
Paradigm shift has helped me in increasing my
adaptability and outlook for my team mates. I being
the Head analyst should have trusted my team
from the very first day more and have considered
their opinion as valuable as mine. I have learnt the
value of ‘we’ factor instead of ‘I’ and this shift was
necessary to boost my overall outlook for life and
people.

• I would like to expand my sphere of trust
and should respect every decision made
without emphasizing on the ‘I’ factor in me
What are my next steps?
• Time is the best learner in this world. It
creates such situations that you will be
forced to change yourself.
• I have changed my leadership style and will
involve my team equally in every decision
making. Free reign style leadership will be
adopted so that the team mates feel equal
respect for their contributions.
• Overall result in the paradigm shift
in leadership style of mine is from
democratic to free-reign/ delegative.
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Conclusion
The paradigm shift is a vast area of coverage and is
relevant in every sphere of life, be it science, philosophy,
spiritual, general science, workplace and organizational
platform or human life at large. Learning starts from the
very birth and continues till life ceases. Change from one
life stage to other is the most common paradigm shift
every person could experience in their lifetime.

• Du, S., Swaen, V., Lindgreen, A., & Sen, S. (2013). The
roles of leadership styles in corporate social
responsibility. Journal of business ethics, 114(1), 155-169.
• Jackson, R. (2015). Misrepresenting religious education’s
past and present in looking forward: Gearon using Kuhn’s
concepts of paradigm, paradigm shift and
incommensurability. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 36(1), 64-
78.
References