Leadership Styles and Their Impact

This assignment delves into the world of leadership, analyzing diverse styles and their influence on organizational effectiveness. It examines how specific leadership traits, such as self-sacrifice, confidence, and character, contribute to successful outcomes. The focus extends to understanding the role of leadership in fostering innovation within complex systems. By exploring the works of prominent researchers and thinkers like De Cremer, Greenstein, Judge, and Obama, students gain valuable insights into the complexities of leadership and its multifaceted impact on individuals and organizations.

Running head: LEADERSHIP 1
Leadership
Name
Institution

LEADERSHIP 2
Leadership
According to Miller (2001), leadership refers to the capacity to translate vision into
reality. Global history presents great leaders who possess a zest for change, dazzling social
intelligence, and above all, a vision that guides them on various missions and works on things
that truly merit attention. Moreover, leaders have the mandate of developing a vision by
establishing what matters and push people to take that particular direction by inspiring others
(Plowman et al., 2007). This report will highlight the characteristics of world-famous leaders
with associated theories in addition to exposing how those qualities relate to me including real-
life examples. Further, the report will highlight my culture, strengths, weaknesses, and strategies
to overcome the weaknesses.
Leadership characteristics
Partnership building
Good leadership has the ability to get people to work together as there is that compelling
feeling to do so. Such leaders gain the cooperation of others, friends, and enemies, by making a
commitment to get along well with everyone. They tend to build long-lasting relationships with
friends and enemies alike (Obama, 2007). In his second term in American leadership, Barack
Obama visited Cuba to create a partnership that was long lost after the Second World War. A
good leader recognizes that every country or individual is very important in building our society.
Through partnerships, Obama endeavored to consolidate peace in the world.
Effective-communication
Effective communication has the power to keep individuals working on a project
continue with the right attitude. When a leader communicates effectively while giving advice, on

LEADERSHIP 3
issues and expectations, the followers will respond positively and help meet the desired goals
(Barrett, 2006). In many occasions, good orators have become leaders in our society. They speak
with a vigor which tends to persuade followers on what they believe in. For example, Barack
Obama won the heart of Americans through his marvelous speeches on the campaign podium.
As a result, he got the majority believe in his campaign line, Yes We Can. Through his
communication skills, he solved problems and even ruled with the minority in Congress without
going through an impeachment process.
Self-confidence
Self-belief is very integral in leadership (De Cremer & Van Knippenberg, 2004). It is the
driving tool on which leaders bank on in times of crisis. Having a strong vision and willingness
to persevere the storms and life challenges distinguish strong and admirable leaders. Leaders
who believe in their thought, vision, and mission and work towards them is a resource and an
inspiration to his or her followers. A leader like Nelson Mandela had the confidence of
delivering South Africans from the apartheid rule. He believed in what he was doing and his
belief inspired people. As such, even when he was in prison, South Africans continued to fight
for their liberation. They fought in the footsteps and belief of Nelson Mandela.
Courageous
According to Şen, Kabak, and Yangınlar (2013), undisputed leaders possess the tenacity
to stand alone and not to succumb to any pressure. Besides, they also possess the patience of
keeping fighting for what they believe in until they succeed. Despite facing opposition and
threats, they keep on fighting without giving up. For example, Fidel Castro kept on fighting for

LEADERSHIP 4
the rights of Cubans amid criticism and war from the United States. He expressed his dreams on
every stage he set his foot and stood his ground to the end.
High locus of control
Great leaders have the ability to command control of who are under them irrespective of
challenges or problems that befall them (Spears, 2010). Taking control and not giving up is key
to sustainability. Control also work hand in hand with influence. Having the gist to gain
following even if enemies strike distinguishes leaders and dictators. For example, the late Cuban
President, Fidel Castrol took control of his country despite unending fights from American
soldiers. He managed to consolidate his people to support him in the midst of propaganda
peddled by the United States Army.
Servant leadership
Servant leadership entails working for the benefit of the people (Spears, 2010). It
involves dedicating resources and time serving people's interest, needs without fear of favor.
Listening to people's problems and coming up with strategies to meet them. One of such leaders
is former Uruguay president Jose Mujica who dedicated his life and resources to serve his
people. In many societies, many people who are in power use that opportunity to grab wealth but
Jose used his power and position to serve the interest of less fortunate in Uruguay. A rare quality
in the modern day leadership (Bolden & Gosling, 2006).
My strengths and weaknesses in relation to the leadership characteristics

LEADERSHIP 5
Strengths
One of my strengths is courage. I often possess the tenacity of facing my fears head-on.
When I encounter any challenge, I do take a deep breath and handle it with sobriety. I tend to
push my vision and mission even in the midst of opposition. Acting on my instincts have helped
me weather various storms, more so in my academic journey. My courage played a crucial role
during my primary education. Despite being the youngest in our class, I contested for the class
manager’s post which I successfully won.
Self-confidence is one of the key drivers of our daily life (De Cremer & Van
Knippenberg, 2004). It took confidence to enroll in this program despite my friends discouraging
me. I usually believe in my abilities and does not succumb to pressure from people who are often
timid and lazy to stand for anything. I believe with this program, I will transform my society by
acting as a role model to the younger generations.
Weaknesses
Even though am very good at communications, I often find it a challenge to address a
congregation more so if they are visitors on my sight. Despite being able to articulate words
correctly, I do develop stage fright when it comes to the multitude of people. But since good
leaders like Barack Obama can speak good English, full of appropriate interjections and choice
of words, they are also able to talk publicly without fear. As such, I have started training on
strategies to overcome stage fright by watching on YouTube. Most recently, I have also taken a
role in my church to sing in the choir. This will help me face a big number of people and develop
the courage to overcome stage mania.

LEADERSHIP 6
Despite being a leader, it is my weakness to consolidate control. I attribute this weakness
to being humble and soft-spoken. Control requires some degree of aggressiveness and is rare for
me, owing to the fact that I fear to talk to a multitude of people. Plans are underway to gain
control of people whom I lead by overcoming stage fright by participating in drama and cultural
dances.
Analysis of my cultural context and how they impact my leadership abilities
My culture encourages people to believe in themselves. Children are today encouraged to
participate in cultural dances and drama to boost their self-confidence. As such, they grow with
high self-esteem, an attribute of good leadership (Eddleston, 2008). Besides cultural dances and
drama, our culture believes in nurturing children to get to know how to perform various duties.
Parents who have business engage children during free time to orient them with real-life
activities. Intrinsically, we get to acquire skills to interact with people and accommodate
divergent opinions.
In my community, fathers are perceived as the head of the family. As such, we learn early
enough to gain high locus of control even beyond family boundaries. Such skills come in handy,
especially while we are carrying out class discussions (Judge & Piccolo, 2004). On the other
hand, we are taught in our culture to be mindful of other people. Greeting our friends and
neighbors is the norm. During these periods, we get to know their health status, whether they
have troubling challenges or not. On instances that our friends have problems, we encourage one
another. In essence, we develop empathy for one another, which is an aspect of servant
leadership.

LEADERSHIP 7
Comparative analysis of my strengths with leadership characteristics of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro remains one of the greatest revolutionary leaders in the world. His courage
to stand firm on his principles and belief to defend his people made the Cubans stick with him
regardless of the immense outside political pressures (Blight & Kornbluh, 1998). Castro staged
unwavering stance in the United States for over fifty years. That leadership ability to stand for
something distinguishes great leaders and others. I can relate my strength as being courageous to
stand for what I believe in as Fidel Castro did to protect his people. For instance, we were one
day late for school and the teacher on duty was very ruthless on latecomers. My friends opted to
go back home, but I dared them and just approached the teacher and explained myself, and
luckily the teacher did not punish me. On that scenario, were it not for my courage, I would have
gone back home and missed that day's learning experience.
Self-confidence entails expressing what you believe in. Fidel Castro, had a strong
conviction in his communist party and stood for the Cuban people regardless of different
political views, and often protected the national interest of the Cuban people (Blight & Kornbluh,
1998). Great leaders have an inner conviction of their belief, they champion it on any stage
despite facing immense opposition. My self-confidence is slightly at per with that of Fidel
Castro. I pursue what I believed in no matter the circumstance. At the beginning of last semester,
I had the conviction of scoring at least 4 grade A. fortunately, I ended up scoring three grade A.
this surely shows that self-confidence is a tool to achieving greatness.
Comparative analysis of my weaknesses with leadership characteristics of Fidel Castro

LEADERSHIP 8
Despite being a great leader, Fidel Castro had a challenge of effectively communicating
his plans and agenda to the Cubans (Malici & Malici, 2005). Consequently, American soldiers
infiltrated communications channels to spread propaganda on Fidel. One day, I failed to inform
my teacher prior that I will be late in submitting my assignment. The teacher ended up penalizing
me by deducting ten percent of my score. Were it that I was privy of effective communication
strategies, I would not have been penalized. Therefore, I endeavor to learn effective
communication strategies to avoid such problems in the future.
Since Fidel was in charge of Cuba, he had a weakness of consolidating control of both
the communist and the capitalist party. And this made it easy for American soldiers to penetrate
their territory. Leadership recommends bringing different groups together when faced with an
external challenge (Bunck, 2010). In one particular time, I failed to take control of my younger
brothers who were in a constant fight over a toy. I lacked the skills to exercise high locus of
control over them. And I am working on skills to command control in whatever I do.
Rationale for development
Personal development entails overcoming weaknesses and finding ways of improving key
strengths (Mumford & Gold, 2004). To overcome my weakness, I can take the following
rationale; being honest with myself, thinking at what point I started developing those weaknesses
and trying to figuring out some of the reasons that contribute to my weaknesses. Besides, I can
also create a rationale for development by listing my plans for the future to adjust accordingly.
And finally, seek the necessary support to overcome my weaknesses and strengthen my abilities.

LEADERSHIP 9
Opportunities for development
Time management is essential for progress in any aspect. Therefore, I will endeavor to
create time to enhance my leadership skills. Mumford and Gold (2004), note that time
management and leadership go together. I will plan my time appropriately to avoid wastages
during weekends and engage in constructive activities for personal growth.
Enhancing collaborations through participating in communal activities will be very vital
in strengthening my abilities and overcome my weaknesses. Better collaboration with my elders
will give me an opportunity of learning and acquire new skills. I will also have an opportunity to
follow their footsteps to be a better leader.
According to Greenstein (2009), respect is a crucial attribute for leaders. Therefore, I will
ensure that I maintain a good relationship with my fellow students, teachers, and even elders in
the society. Through this, they will accord me opportunities and conducive environment to
nurture my leadership ability. This will go further to enhancing my tolerance to accommodate
divergent opinion at any point in my life.
Relevant strategies for development
Overcoming stage fright while communicating with people requires strategies like
watching films that model conversation skills (Lee, 2002). For example, as I have started
watching from YouTube and TED. From the films, I will learn body language, how to maintain
eye contact, summarizing, and responding to questions. I can adapt using technology such as

LEADERSHIP 10
audio books and mobile applications to master diction and pronunciation of different words.
Besides, I can reinforce active listening to my teachers and offer group presentations and
assignments which will enhance my delivery skills. Finally, I can participate in reflective
learning opportunities to build confidence and courage when presenting too many people.
By enhancing my communication skills, I will be able to exercise stage control which is
also integral in promoting high locus control (Maguire & Pitceathly, 2002). Being confident goes
further to improving our authoritative nature. More and more presentation in drama, cultural
dances, and assignments will boost my self-confidence, courage, creating partnerships, and
acquire servant leadership techniques.
Enhancing my self-confidence may involve taking more challenges in the society. For
example, I can take the responsibility of teaching Sunday school children in our church. This will
help me learn more on presentations and handle diverse behaviors. In addition, I can also take an
initiative of offering to teach the congregation during youth seminar and coordinate bible study.
It will go a long way to improving my leadership skills like those of Barack Obama, Mahatma
Gandhi, Martin Luther King Junior among others.
Great leaders banks on coming up with innovative ways doing things (Surie & Hazy,
2006). As such, I will work extra hard by carrying out research to improve my innovation skills.
Solving societal problems by coming up with simple ways will be a way of promoting change. In
the words of Obama, change is possible when we believe. When we believe in ourselves and in
what we do, other people will learn from us thus we grow and develop the society.
Indicators of success for the strategies
Communication indicator

LEADERSHIP 11
It will be evident that I have learned and acquired good communication skills if I will
address a congregation, crowd, or class without fumbling (Maguire & Pitceathly, 2002). It will
also be evident when I will accommodate diverging opinion without having to snub any person.
Moreover, I shall have horned my skills if I can present seamlessly, including asking and
answering questions.
Self-confidence indicators
My confidence in whatever I do will be a bear fruits when I take challenges and find
ways of solving them instead of dodging. Self-confidence entails believing one's actions no
matter the circumstance (McCormick, 2001). It will also be evident how I present my items on
stage, be it drama, cultural dances, or teaching children in Sunday school without fear.
Innovation indicators
My innovation skills will be clear when I create new ideas in solving social problems and
achieving my goals or even inventing new ways to teaching Sunday school children.
Furthermore, my innovative skills will be claer when I inspire the imagination of people as they
come up with strategies of doing daily activities (Barsh, Capozzi & Davidson, 2008).
Locus control indicator
Locus control will be evident when I will be able to organize my peers or even adults to
execute an activity successfully.
Resources and support needed to execute the strategies
To execute any goals successfully, there should be time and commitment. Therefore, to
achieve the strategies, I will need time as a resource. Through better time management, I will

LEADERSHIP 12
plan my training on presentation, communication, innovation and exercising locus control.
Additionally, I will need money to enhance my dressing since leadership requires smart people.
The money will also go a long way in enabling me to access audio books and watch films online
in a bid to improve my communication. Above all, I need leadership skills which will guide my
interaction with other people as I endeavor to learn.
Time frames for implanting the strategies
Being a student, I will be practicing communication in every lesson I take thus I shall
enhance that skill in the course of my academic journey. Besides, I can practice drama and dance
in the evening in our school hall and more so during drama and cultural festivals. Furthermore,
during Sundays, as I go to church, I will horn my presentation skills as I teach Sunday school
children and bible study groups. Thus, I will be covering those aspects as I go to church.
In our church, we conduct corporate social responsibility once a month by engaging in
clean-up exercises. It is during these periods that I will coordinate my fellow youth to harness
my locus control ability. Simultaneous, I will come with innovative ways of giving back to the
society which ultimately will enhance my innovative skills.

LEADERSHIP 13
References
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analytic test of their relative validity. Journal of applied psychology, 89(5), 755.

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Lee, L. (2002). Enhancing learners' communication skills through synchronous electronic
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systems. Emergence-Mahwah-Lawrence Erlbaum-, 8(4), 13.

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Spears, L. C. (2010). Character and servant leadership: Ten characteristics of effective, caring
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