University Leadership and Culture: Self-Reflection and Analysis Report

This report is a comprehensive analysis of leadership and culture, focusing on self-reflection and the application of leadership theories. The author begins by discussing various leadership theories and concepts covered in class, substantiated by online research. The core of the report involves a self-assessment through psychometric tests to identify personal leadership traits, such as warmth, reasoning, and emotional stability. The analysis includes a critical evaluation of strengths and weaknesses as a leader, drawing upon feedback and insights from a CEO interview. The report also addresses areas for improvement, such as critical thinking and effective listening, and concludes with a reflection on the multi-faceted nature of leadership, emphasizing the importance of both personality traits and behavioral aspects. References to relevant literature are included to support the analysis.

Running head: LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

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Introduction
The aim of this paper is to analyze and reflect on the issues of leadership and culture.
This paper will be undertaking the following reflection and analysis in five distinct steps, while
the first part of the analysis will be discussion the issue of theories discussed in class
substantiated buy the research of the online material. While the rest of the paper will be
analyzing the question of self-reflection as a leader by conducting the psychometric tests for the
same. The idea of a true leader has been developed as the one who is able to value their
perspectives and opinion of everybody and focuses on the aspects of values instead of exercising
their power. The notion of leader is attached to the pole who are able to fulfill their duties and
also able to encourage the people surrounding him or her. On one word, “the leader is one who
knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”- John C. Maxwell.
Discussion
According to them traits based leadership theory, it has been observed that the leadership
effectiveness depends on the combined traits and behaviors upto 31%. It has also been argued
that the traits are influenced by the situation in which the leaders are placed. Some of the
characteristics of the effective leader are: an emotional intelligence and personality trait that
guides the behavioral aspects of the leaders (DuBrin et al. 2015). Since it has been observed that
a true leader is one who is guided by their personality, as an individual I realized that as an
individual I have the qualities of warmth, emotional stability and reasoning which is one the
traits of a good leader and decision maker. It is crucial to remember that a good leader is one
who is able to choose between the rational choices by keeping sensitivity and openness to

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change. From the above mentioned trait leadership theory of leadership, I have been able to
critically analyze the strength and weakness of myself as a leader. It has been observed that the
issue of a balanced approach of a leader is crucial in taking correct decision in any given set-
up(Northouse 2018). I also realized that the there are certain aspects of every leader like
accountability, courage, right kind of drive which drives towards the meaningful change towards
a situation. There are number of other qualities like collaboration and temperament in any given
situation that is crucial in given situation for the leader to undertake responsibility (Storey et al.
2017). As the leader in myself, I have realized that there is a need to develop integrity in function
since it is important to consider responsibility and integrity in ever y task undertaken. It was also
realized that sense of shared responsibility is what make the leader a crucial component in a
team. As a leader, I am considerate towards the views and opinions of others which enhanced my
chances of working within the context of a group.
Form the personal interview of Wendy Teasdale-Smith's (Zoom.us, 2019) with one of the
leaders of the company engaged in operating finance and management in the post of CEO
mentions that impact of the contemporary leader has changed from the mere follower of theories
studied in classroom to a more practical approach that is aimed at understanding the ground
realities in greater detail. She mentions that the role of a leader has largely changed in the last
few years. She mentioned that the learning of leadership roles will be important from the point of
view of understanding the role of stakeholders and value chain management in any given
company. the role of the leader is both-ways and it is not enough to understand t it theoretically,
it is equally important to understand the viewpoint of the stakeholders.

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From the feedback received has remained positive since it has been observed that I have
been successfully able to complete the previous assessment. It has been observed form the last
feedback, there are certain areas which require to be addressed and it is important to take
consideration of this feedback in order the address the issue. What is also important at this
juncture is that there are number of mistakes that are in urgent need to be addressed as
developing the personality of a leader.
In order to conduct the analysis of the personality traits of a leader, a psychometric test
have been conducted for this purpose. The results are as follows: in terms of warmth, it has been
observed that I have higher level of warmth for the people. The idea of warmth is based on the
attitude that the leader holds for the people around them (DuBrin et al. 2015). Hence it can be
analyzed that as leader I hold warmth and consideration for people. In case of reasoning, I have
scored moderately which is reflective of the fact that I am able to make reasonable decision even
though there is need to develop more logical inferences in order to make reasonable decision.
The third important parameter of a leader is their emotionally stability. Form the psychometric
tests conducted I could derive the knowledge that as an individual, I have less dominance in my
decisions and while taking decisions. It is important to remember as a leader that imposition of
any decision or display of power is not considered to be leader like and there is need to control
any dominant attitude that might impact the influence a leader can make on the people. On terms
of liveliness, I scored low which is reflective of the factor that I have low energy in dealing with
situations of concern. This is also important to note that I am very conscious of the rules and
procedure which is a necessary for the leader who is considered to be the path maker for the
people who are following them. in terms of having greater sensitivity towards the issue sand
opinions of the people, I realized that as an individual I have moderate level of social boldness

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which is one of the essential aspects for the leader to support the decisions taken by the
stakeholders in any given context, it is also important for the leader to consider certain aspects
before making any decisions and social boldness is what is required in such situation. The next
important parameter of a good leader is the aspects of readiness to change. it has been observed
that an individual I have moderate level of readiness in change. In case of any change within a
given situation, it is important to consider the alternatives for better handling of tricky situations.
At this juncture of decision making, readiness to openness and change is the crucial aspects of
any good leader. In addition to this, it was also noted that I have higher level of perfectionism
and self-reliance. What is important to consider is that perfectionism in every decisions and
responsibility undertaken is the crucial aspects of any leader since leaders are responsible for
shaping the way to people and any perfect decision is likely to impact the people in a positive
way. This study is based on the analysis of personality traits required in a leader and this
analysis helped me to understand that as a leader I have the right approach towards issues and
the importance of some of the traits . However this trait based approach of leadership lacks the
understanding of the most crucial factors important for a leader, it also breeds the idea of a elite
leader. Hence there is a need to develop the alternative perspective on leadership in order to
consider the peripheral aspects of leadership.
Form the tests taken and assessment feedback I realized some of the strengths of my
personality that will contribute towards the development of a future leader however it is not to
deny the fact that, the behavioral theory of leadership mentions that personality is not the sole
determining factor of a leader, it is their behavior opposed to their physical, mental and social
construction that determining their ability to become a good leader. Taking into consideration
this theory of leadership, it can be argued that I as an individual have higher chances of finding

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relation to the traits theory of leadership. I am able to categories issues by considering them in
order of priority which helps me to behave in a particular situation according to the needs of it.
Hence it is to be argued that behavioral factors are the response that the leader chooses to show
in particular context and as an individual leader, I can shape my behavior by considering the
demand of the situation. This is important to consider that there are some flaws in order to
become a good leader, these are :
Lack of integrity in decision and actions
The issue of incoherent decision making and need of higher sensitivity towards issues.
Since it has been observed that I have higher emotional intelligence, it can be considered that
that as a leader I will be able to understand the viewpoint of other with reasons and emotions. It
is also significant that understanding the emotions with due consideration of reasoning helps to
drive the individuals towards motivation. The impact of higher emotional intelligence is crucial
to effectively manage emotions within one particular contexts(Northouse 2018). In terms of
improving and changing the present leadership style, I will be highlighting the need to
develop the habit of critical thinking, for examples, in case of a tricky decisions, I will be
developing the in-depth understanding of the issue to critically analyze the most viable option. I
will also be improving the habit of listening effectively and make clarified conclusions from it.
Conclusion
It is important to consider the fact that leadership is a multi-faceted concept and it is
important to understand the different nuances of the concept in terms of theory and practice. This
has been observed on the body of research that the issue of leadership is both personality based
as well as the behavior based. It is equally important to consider the behavioral aspects of a

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leader along with the development o the leader like traits. Form the self-reflection of the essay,
it has been observed that I posses all the required traits of a god leader however what is lacking
is the understanding of some of the traits that are in need of greater use. There is also a need of
developing a certain sense of integrity and shared sense of responsibility that is essential to
develop the fullest potential of me into a future leader.

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Reference
Antonakis, J. and Day, D.V. eds., 2017. The nature of leadership. Sage publications.
DuBrin, A.J., 2015. Leadership: Research findings, practice, and skills. Nelson Education.
Northouse, P.G., 2018. Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications.
Storey, J., 2016. Changing theories of leadership and leadership development. In Leadership in
Organizations (pp. 33-58). Routledge.
Zoom.us. (2019). Wendy Teasdale-Smith's Personal Meeting Room - Zoom. [online] Available
at: https://zoom.us/recording/play/AXAvDI-BHeqX9hPhmXn71fAmHcvUDJ-
P1y5rY55UEbysq3itIuomQhEqw2fVnGm3?continueMode=true [Accessed 13 May 2019].