Reflection On Leadership (pdf)

Running head: REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP
REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP
Introduction:
Effective leadership as well as management initiates with the attribute of being self-aware. Every
individuals need to work hard so that they can intimately recognize their strengths as well as
weakness and thereby model ways in which their values remain congruent with their behaviors
(Soderhjelm et al. 2017). This would help them to develop a culture of respect for themselves
and for others in the team. Reflective practice is the ability of reflecting on an individual’s own
actions so that the individuals can engage themselves in a procedure of continuous learning.
Researchers have stated that paying critical attention to the different practical theories and values
that inform everyday actions by examining the practices, strengths and weakness of individuals
reflexively and reflectively, one can develop his skills (Shin and Eom 2014). By effective
reflection, individuals get the ability to turn their weakness into the strengths and converting
their strength into their USP or unique selling points (Goleman 2017). Reflective thinking is one
of the significant aspects of developing leadership skills as it helps in promoting learning during
complex problem solving situations by providing individuals the opportunity to step back and
think about how they actually could have solved the problems in the real situation. He can
thereby develop a set of problem solving strategies for achieving the goals and reach zenith of
success. This assignment will also be a reflective essay where I would mainly be reflecting on
the weakness and lack of skills I have that affected me in becoming an efficient leader. Gibbs
cycle will be used as a framework for reflection in the paper.

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REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP
Gibbs reflective cycle:
Description:
During my stay at the residential, I got the opportunity to participate in a number of group
activities through different interesting games. Some of the games that I played with my team
members are crossing artificial landmines, shepherd and sheep, maze puzzle as well as ball on a
bridge game. These games had helped me learn the ways about how teamwork should take place
and helped to reflect how effective teamwork can help in achieving goals successfully. Although
I had pleasant experiences with the team members while playing the games, many instances
showed I need further improvement in my skills. While playing the games, my mentor provided
me the opportunity to take the role of a team leader and manage the teamwork so that the team
can successfully cross all the hurdles. I was not ready to take on the responsibility and requested
my mentor to assign the role to other person. Although she was disappointed initially, she tried to
encourage me to undertake the responsibility. She also stated that one should never turn down
roles without even trying to participate in it. However, I was very scared and was not at all ready
to take the responsibility of the team. I was fearful that if the team fails, the entire blame would
come on me. Moreover, as I had no previous experiences, I could not understand how to start
with the role and develop effective teamwork. Moreover, another instance had already affected
my confidence. In the first task, where we had to cross the artificial land mines, I wanted to
provide suggestions to the team members but the team members did not listen to me at all. This
had affected my self-respect that had become one of the other reasons for me to reject the role as
I felt the same incidences would be repeated. Afterwards, I really suffered from a feeling if guilty
as I offended my mentor. Moreover, when I saw a colleague of mine perform the same role
smoothly without any severe barriers, I felt I could have also taken the responsibility and

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REFLECTION ON LEADERSHIP
completed the same. I was severely depressed as I lost the opportunity that came in my way to
prove my metley.
Feelings:
At first, I was quite scared when my name was announced to be given the duty of team leader. I
have not taken any big responsibilities before and therefore I was not at all confident about my
skills. I had read about the important leadership skills theoretically but did never have the scope
to practice the skills or develop the skills. I was scared that if my leadership traits fail to make
the team win, I would be blamed by my team members and would be laughed at by my mentors
who trusted on me. All these complexes had made me take the decision of not taking the role of a
leader. I was in a state of dilemma while considering whether I would be able to succeed or fail
in the tasks as a leader. The fear of failing in the task made me conscious for which I could not
embrace the opportunity that came my way. Such dilemma is decision-making resulted me to
break down internally where I felt that I am not at all competent as a professional and would
never be able to take the correct decisions in the right time (Merril 2015). When I saw my
mentor being disappointed, I got depressed and felt guilty. I felt irritated and could not
understand what I should have done in the situation. Later when I saw my colleague succeed in
the task, I felt demoralized. I was feeling bad and thought that I could have at least taken the
responsibility to experience the leadership events. I also felt bad that I lost an opportunity where
I might have succeeded if done properly. My lack of self-esteem and the fear to take
responsibilities became the greatest barriers for me in my decision-making.