Leadership in Me: Critical Reflection

This article is a critical reflection on leadership and discusses the author's core beliefs, strengths, weaknesses, skills, personality, communication style, and conflict resolution style. The author also reflects on their culture and social development and how it has shaped their leadership style. The article concludes with the author's plan to improve their leadership skills.

Running head: LEADERSHIP IN ME
LEADERSHIP IN ME: Part A
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1LEADERSHIP IN ME
Part A: Critical Reflection
Introduction
Leadership can be considered to be an integral aspect of the business environment and in
relation to this, it becomes considerably crucial for the firm to ensure that in order to achieve
long term success, the leadership style which is adopted on the side of the managers needs to be
such that it will successfully be able to guide the associates and colleagues (Antonakis & Day,
2017). Hence, as a good manager in the future, I would be required to reflect on my personal
self which will assist me in identifying the different values and beliefs which I possess and
identify my strengths and weaknesses as well. Moreover, aspects like communication style,
conflict resolution style and the social development as an individual will also be discussed in
order to examine the manner in which the firm will be able to engage in long term success.
Core beliefs and values
The core beliefs can be understood to be the basic beliefs that we as individuals hold
about ourselves. In addition to this, it also determines the core beliefs with respect to the world
we live in (Bhatti et al., 2012). The core beliefs can be understood to be the absolute truths which
we hold beneath our surface thoughts and determine the manner in which we perceive and
interpret the world (Mendenhall et al, 2017). These core beliefs can be taken to be very
convincing in nature and are accepted without question. They are imperative because they
determine the degree to which we as individuals perceive ourselves to be worthy, safe, powerful
and loved (Conger, 2015). The different core beliefs which I possess can be understood to be
beliefs regarding respect. I believe that all individuals as present in the society are bound to
receive a certain level of respect irrespective of their overall background. In relation to this, I am

2LEADERSHIP IN ME
under the ideology that respect has to be earned (Covin & Slevin, 2017). Moreover, I also
believe in taking risks and learning from my mistakes. I am under the belief that risk taking is an
integral part of life and any leader or an individual who aims to achieve long term success will be
required to take risks and deliver accordingly.
Moreover, I also believe in leading by example. This means that, I am under the
perception that, if I am bound to give an advice to a certain individual I assume it is critical to
follow that advice in the right manner. This ensures that I will be able to perform well in future.
Additionally I also believe in exhibiting confidence, which means that as an individual, my
confidence level is very high.
According to DuBrin (2015) , the Values can be defined as the broad preferences which
concern the right courses of actions and the outcomes. The values of an individual reflect the
sense of right or wrong a particular individual possesses. The different values which I possess
can be understood to be justice, peace, generosity, honesty and hard work. I believe that the
individual needs to be on the right track in life and in a manner similar to this, they will be able
to attain success in the future endeavors.
Hence, by gaining an understanding of my core values and beliefs, it can be understood
that, I am better Democratic Leader. This is because, as a Democratic leader I am being able to
work with people and help to guide them in order to undertake the different initiatives
accordingly.
Weaknesses and Strengths
All individuals have certain strengths as well as weaknesses. According to me some of
my strengths which help me in becoming a good leader are aspects like; I am a creative person

3LEADERSHIP IN ME
who takes endeavors. Additionally I am also very focused and flexible. Along with this, I am
good at communicating and good at getting my point across. Additionally, I always take
initiatives and come up with creative ideas. However, I have certain weaknesses to which I
would like to improve in the long run. These include aspects like, I might be insecure at some
times and this affects my relationships. Additionally, I am quite detail oriented and this affects
my leadership and relationship with others. Moreover, I need to work on my public speaking
skills as I fumble if I get nervous and lastly, I have poor presentation skills as because of my
public speaking skills my presentations do not go very well. Therefore, I intent to use my
strengths as a tool to lead in a better manner and will focus on overcoming my shortcomings.
Skills possessed and Ethical & Moral build up
Skills possessed by an individual can be understood to be an integral part of the overall
individual as it assists them to perform well in the long run and along with it, also assist an
individual in becoming better leaders (Fiaz, Su & Saqib, 2017). With respect to this, I would like
to mention that I possess a wide range of skills like Technical skills, Analytical skills,
communication skills and decision making skills. With time, I have been tested in these scenarios
and with respect to this; I have been taking various initiatives and programs so as to strengthen
my Analytical and the communication skills. In regard to this, I would also like to mention
about my ethical and moral position. I believe that all future leaders would be required to possess
adequate qualities which would help them to be better managers. In regard to this, I believe
myself to be politically and socially liberal. This helps me to get a better view on life and also
assists me in ensuring that I am successfully able to perform in my future domain of work.

4LEADERSHIP IN ME
My skills can also be understood to be largely supportive of a democratic leader and
taking up this leadership style I can encourage the different associates and colleagues to work
under my vision and guidance. This will go a long way in encouraging me to gain success as a
leader and would enable me to use my democratic leadership skills with the help of which, I will
be able to gain long term success.
Culture and Social Development
Another aspect which I would like to discuss about my overall reflection is related to the
fact about my culture. I am a Punjabi. My culture is one of the largest ethnic groups in the world
and belongs to the Indo-Aryan race. The Punjabis can be understood to be visibly liberal, strong
headed and courageous. They are hardworking and believe in living a full life. In regard to this, I
have taken up these qualities which make me very hardworking in nature. In addition to this, the
good values which my parents have instilled in me help me in bringing out the best of my
culture. The social development can be understood to be the attempt which is generally made
whereby a child learns to interact with the surroundings and relatively attempt and perceive their
own individuality and the manner in which these individuals are able to gain adequate skills so as
to ensure long term success (Grint et al, 2016). Hence, my social development as an individual
can be understood to be very strong. In regard to this, it needs to be understood that as I have
been always surrounded by the positive people, this has enabled me to perform well in the long
run and also assisted me to be a righteous person who stands up for his rights and the rights of
the others in need as well.
As per my social development, I have always been encouraged to undertake the different
decisions on my own and in line with this, it can be rightfully understood that through this

5LEADERSHIP IN ME
initiative, I would be successfully able to carry out the skills of my democratic leadership and
undertake good initiatives to ensure success by giving decision making capacity to the different
associates and colleagues.
Personality
The personality of the individual can be understood to be the characteristic set of
behaviors, cognitions, emotional patterns as well as other biological as well as environmental set
of factors which tend to influence the manner in which the different individuals tend to act with
their peers and the manner in which they tend to react to any scenario (Heifetz, & Linsky, 2017).
Although there does not exist any agreed definition of a personality, the major theories of
Personality generally tend to focus on the motivational theories, psychological interactions and
one`s environment whether at home or a professional set up. I would like to describe myself as
an introverted person. This means that very often, I need time to open around the different
individuals. Moreover, I would like to describe myself as an observant individual and I am good
at sensing the situations. Moreover, very often I tend to get very nervous in scenarios which are
majorly stressful and this then has an impact on my overall scenario management. Therefore, I
would like to believe that, my perception is quite different and unique in relation to others and
with respect to this; I would like to state that, I need to undertake programs which would assist
me in improving my overall confidence level.
According to the personality test, my personality type can be identified as that relating to
the ISTP and ISTJ. These personality types belong to the Myers Briggs personality indicators
(Johnson, 2017). The ISTP Personality type is also known as the Detective style whereby my
traits can be understood to be as curious, confident and pragmatic. With this personality type, I

6LEADERSHIP IN ME
am unpredictable and spontaneous but usually very quiet and like to think and process
information internally. Moreover, as per the personality type ISTJ, I am the Investigator who
tends to be reserved and practical. As per the personality style, I am self-sufficient in nature and
generally prefer to be quiet in groups. Additionally, I also like to be quiet in any group settings.
Hence, from the analysis of the different groups types, I am under the impression that, with
respect to Communication, I am Introverted and logical. I do not prefer to beat about the bush
and like to be serious about critical matters. In regard to conflict management, I like to address
any conflict in a timely and logical manner. This means that, I like to discuss openly and
moreover, also prefer, managing the conflicts rationally. My ISTP personality type makes me an
easy Change adapter whereas the personality type of ISTJ requires me to take time while
adjusting with different scenarios. My managing stress ability can be understood to be
manageable in nature and am generally motivated by freedom to work independently, strict
schedules, stability and security in personal life. Hence, in line of this, I would like to mention
that, these can affect my leadership style in future and that I am required to work upon certain
aspects in order to ensure success in the long run.
Therefore, as per my personality skills, it can be understood that although I am calm and
reserved, I reflect the qualities of a Laissez Faire Leader as I am introverted, I may not be able to
manage a team effectively just through the Democratic Leadership style. In addition to this, as I
tend to govern and function in silence, I may not be able to get the message out to the different
associates and colleagues and this may lead to issues in the long run. Hence, this highlights that
there is a Laissez Faire tint to my leadership style.
Communication style

7LEADERSHIP IN ME
Communication tends to form a relevant part of the organization and with respect to this,
it can be considered to be very relevant for a leader to ensure that they possess adequate
communication skills which not only assist them to perform well but also motivate the different
associates and colleagues under them (Klenke, 2016). I can be understood to be more of an
analyzer than that of an initiator. I like to understand the manner in which the different people
communicate with one another and also like to ensure that I am successfully being able to
understand the reason behind the behavior of the different individuals. The communication styles
which I possess can be agreed upon as Passive aggressive (Komives, 2016). This can be stated
because, I tend to be generally passive on the surface but indirectly, I tend to act out through
anger. Hence, I might appear to be bitter in nature, hostile towards other individuals, making
mistakes with other people`s request and having a pessimistic approach. Additionally, my
communication style can also be described as being submissive in nature whereby I generally
avoid conflicts and give more importance to the needs of the other individuals.
Conflict Resolution Style
According to Lussier and Achua (2015), the conflict resolution style tends to form an
integral part of the manner in which the different individuals generally tend to react and with
respect to this, I have understood that my conflict resolution style can be understood to be
avoiding conflict style. It was hinted in my personality style as well, that I generally tend to
avoid any conflicts which take place in my surroundings. Additionally, as I am introverted I
prefer to remain focused on my own work.
After analyzing my communication and conflict resolution style, it can be understood
that, that I am a mix of democratic and Laissez Faire Leadership style. Although I tend to be

8LEADERSHIP IN ME
practical and calm, there are certain aspects in my communication which are more suited to the
Laissez Faire Leadership style. In the latter style, I allow people to function on their own as I am
not very open and avoid conflicts.
Conclusion
Therefore, from the given analysis, it can be rightfully understood that have been lagging
in various domains and with respect to this, I need to undertake adequate steps which would
encourage me to perform well in the long run. Along with this, I would also be required to
undertake personality build up classes which would assist me in ensuring that, I am successful in
various endeavors and that I am able to become a better leader in the long run. Additionally, I
will also be required to get more involved in social discussions as this would assist me in gaining
long term confidence and also allow me to build better relationships.

9LEADERSHIP IN ME
References
Antonakis, J., & Day, D. V. (Eds.). (2017). The nature of leadership. Sage publications.
Bhatti, N., Maitlo, G. M., Shaikh, N., Hashmi, M. A., & Shaikh, F. M. (2012). The impact of
autocratic and democratic leadership style on job satisfaction. International Business
Research, 5(2), 192.
Conger, J. (2015). Charismatic leadership. Wiley encyclopedia of management, 1-2.
Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (2017). The entrepreneurial imperatives of strategic
leadership. Strategic entrepreneurship: Creating a new mindset, 307-327.
DuBrin, A. J. (2015). Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills. Nelson Education.
Fiaz, M., Su, Q., & Saqib, A. (2017). Leadership styles and employees' motivation: Perspective
from an emerging economy. The Journal of Developing Areas, 51(4), 143-156.
Grint, K., Jones, O. S., Holt, C., & Storey, J. (2016). What is leadership. The Routledge
companion to leadership, 3.
Heifetz, R., & Linsky, M. (2017). Leadership on the line, with a new preface: Staying alive
through the dangers of change. Harvard Business Press.
Johnson, C. E. (2017). Meeting the ethical challenges of leadership: Casting light or shadow.
Sage Publications.
Klenke, K. (2016). Qualitative research in the study of leadership. Emerald Group Publishing
Limited.

10LEADERSHIP IN ME
Komives, S. R. (2016). Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of
leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.
Lussier, R. N., & Achua, C. F. (2015). Leadership: Theory, application, & skill development.
Nelson Education.
Mendenhall, M. E., Osland, J., Bird, A., Oddou, G. R., Stevens, M. J., Maznevski, M., & Stahl,
G. K. (Eds.). (2017). Global leadership: Research, practice, and development.
Routledge.