Leadership and Decision Making: Leadership Development Plan Analysis

This report analyzes the leadership qualities of Joko Widodo, the 7th president of Indonesia, examining his unique leadership style characterized by humility, populism, and anti-corruption efforts. The report delves into Widodo's charisma, personality traits, and actions, highlighting his 'anti-hero' approach and emphasis on action over rhetoric. It then transitions into a self-reflective assessment, comparing Widodo's leadership to the student's own abilities and identifying strengths such as communication, curiosity, and the ability to simplify complex ideas. Weaknesses, including a lack of self-management, are also acknowledged. The core of the report is a leadership development plan, outlining goals, activities, and measurement indicators to improve leadership capabilities. The plan incorporates leadership theories and concepts to guide the student's professional growth, culminating in a feedback section from another leader regarding the development plan.

Running head: LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

1LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
Leadership is considered to be a practical/ pragmatic skill that encompasses the ability of
an individual or an enterprise to lead or guide other individuals, teams or an entire enterprise.
Leadership is a quality which is desired by all but cannot be defined explicitly at the same time.
A quintessential leader is supposed to be empathetic and also controlling at the same time while
carrying out his/her leadership tasks. One of the most important aspects about leadership is that it
is a skill that makes an individual capable of handling any kind of situation with proper
manpower and planning. The concept of leadership is highly based on a charismatic individual
leader who has the abilities such as intelligence, trustworthiness, humaneness, courage and
discipline that enables him to organize, manipulate, control and lead a particular team, state,
nation or an organization into a particular direction. The particular paper is about a leader named
Joko Widodo who is the 7th president of Indonesia. By analyzing the leadership qualities of Joko
Widodo, I have tried to understand what leadership actually is, or looks like. It is a self reflective
paper where I have comprehended the leadership qualities and styles of Joko Widodo and
compared them with my leadership abilities. I have also built a leadership development plan
where I should make plans to develop my leadership strengths and improve my weaknesses. In
the making of leadership development plan, leadership theories and concepts have been utilized
by me. At the end of the paper, a feedback is put about my leadership development plan from
another leader thereafter.
Discussion
Stage one: Research and Observation
Introduction to the leader

2LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
The leader I have chosen for the respective assignment is Joko Widodo who is the 7th
president of Indonesia. Widodo was born in Surakarta in Indonesia in the year 1961. He was a
successful businessman, politician, government official and an empathetic leader who has made
every possibility to utilize the leadership designation he has received as a government official
and representative in Indonesia (Theguardian.com.2019). As a prime minister, his leadership
styles, which are unique and also highly philanthropist in nature, has gained international
attention. His populist campaigning style and anti- corruption programs have become highly
popular all over the world. His leadership styles have uniquely provided him a separate position
in the political arena of Indonesia (Fortune.com.2019). Widodo is committed to help the poor and
the needy with actions and tasks and not just only campaigns. Widodo was special abilities such
as humility, down- to- earth mannerisms and modesty in his approach which has made him liked
by almost all the citizens of Indonesia. He is a philanthropic person who believes that the citizens
should come first and that’s why he is often called “man of the people” (Theguardian.com.2019).
He has successfully improved Indonesian society and the nation up to certain extent. Widodo has
carried out certain reforms in the nation of Indonesia.
Observation
Charisma and leadership is entitled to each other when it comes to the success of a good
leader. A leader has to be charismatic in his disposition, code of conduct and mannerisms which
would act as a catalyst in attracting others (subordinates) towards him. A leader’s charismatic
features enable him to have a special position and expectations in the society. Joko Widodo’s
choice of attires and his daily activities exhibit the streaks of modesty in him. His quintessential
and unique charm that is highlighted by modesty and simplistic grace is the most charismatic
factor in him.However, he shows anti- hero charisma which is even more compelling for the

3LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
general public of Indonesia that dethrones the popular theory of heroic charisma of a leader.
Personality of the leaders is considered a factor for the development and enhancement of the
leadership qualities of a leader. Max Weber is the first scholar of organizational behavior who
says that personality of a leader influences the follower. Joko Widodo, as a leader, believes in
action more than words or campaigns. Five factors that have given Joko Widodo a separate edge
in the arena of leadership are, appearance, sexuality, message similarity, action and imagery. As
far as Widodo is concerned, a “mystic” and “anti- hero” appearance is ingrained in Widodo
which is considered to be his trademark. Widodo is known for his anti- establishment ways of
dressing and “anti- heroic” attitude that is marked by his simplistic way of life. Sexual appeal in
Widodo is marked by his lucidity and intelligibility. The goals, beliefs and attitude of Widodo is
highly pro-society and pro- socialist. He is a philanthropist leader who provides helping hands to
all the needy people without discriminating them on any grounds, such as race, gender, socio-
ethnic divisions, socio- economic and educational divisions. “Actions speak louder than words”
is well understood by following the leadership style of Joko Widodo. He believes that more
actions than more campaigns would help the citizens in many ways and that a governing leader
should act first for his followers and citizens as a whole. Most of the time Joko Widodo tries to
convey nation- related matters to his followers and the citizens, but most of the times, he can also
relate to the immediate goals and aspirations of the citizens, which is, better governance in
Indonesia. Joko Widodo always preaches about the urgency of infrastructural development in
Indonesia. The “blusukan” practice is quintessentially a Widodoan leadership practice that is
favored by all the Indonesians. This particular style of leadership (Blusukan) is a leadership style
that makes the leader mingles with his followers personally and interact with them directly, in a
face- to- face conversation. Such type of leadership helps the leader get completely involved

4LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
with the followers, dethroning the popular belief of “status quo”. Such leadership qualities make
a leader more competent as he understands the dynamics of his followers. Such leadership helps
the leaders understand what goes in the mind and life of the followers so that he can build such
plans for the followers that would benefit them. His way of interaction and mingling with
common people through a proper balance of social media and direct meeting has enabled him to
get the tag of one of the best leaders of Indonesia and also in the world. He is a manipulative
leader as he knows where to put his pleasant and humorous self and where to put his serious
image. All such tiny digressions and complications in his personality and code of conduct has
helped him to become an outstanding leader of Indonesia and also as a famous emerging
philanthropist and “man of the citizens” (Novianty and Salamah 2018).
Stage 2
Leadership Development Plan
A leadership development plan is a detailed and explicitly explained plan that helps an
individual set his career towards advanced roles of leadership and senior management positions
in an enterprise, a group, and community and so on. A leadership development plan is an
invaluable/ priceless tool or mechanism that would strategically guide an individual to guide him
throughout his career growth and professional development plan. In the assignment, I have built
a leadership development plan where I should make plans to develop my leadership strengths
and improve my weaknesses. In the making of leadership development plan, leadership theories
and concepts have been utilized by me.
My strengths and weaknesses as a potential leader are provided hereafter.
Strengths

5LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
1. Good communication: As a management student, I have received enough training in
enhancing my communication skills throughout my certified course. I have learnt how to
effectively communicate inside and outside the organizations and in business operations
to make the maximum of the skill in developing and enhancing my career. Good
communication is necessary when it comes to leadership because the subordinates need
to understand what kind of tasks, duties and responsibilities are to be assigned by the
leader. A leader has to be clear to the point that he needs to be absolutely sure that the
goals he is setting to be accomplished would be reflected back at him. The leader has to
be a good communicator because whatever communication the leader provides to his
followers would directly and indirectly influence or attract them towards him. In the
sectors of communication, active listening plays wonders in a good leader. With active
and patient listening, the followers get motivated about the fact that the leader is showing
enthusiasm to listen to them and understand their problems. Paying attention to the
grievances of the followers makes a leader much more compatible than the others. To be
a good orator or a manipulator, one has to be a good listener. I believe that I have
patience and perseverance of listening actively to the people around me. My
communication skills are excellent. I have commendable dexterity in verbal and non-
verbal communication. I am also good at written communication, therefore, I believe that
I can use digital media too as a tool for enhancing my leadership through manipulative
and influential contents(Schoemaker, Krupp and Howland2013).
2. Unending curiosity: A leader is guided by the amount of knowledge he gains or receives
throughout his life. Knowledge of a leader helps him in having professional and personal
growth. I believe that I have an unending curiosity regarding every matter in management

6LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
and the other subjects in the world. I believe that as a leader, I should always keep an
open mind to inculcate multidimensional and multifaceted ideas in me. I should not block
myself or create a boundary beside me with only conservative, conventional and
traditional ideas. I have the freethinking bent of mind and an uncontrollable curiosity to
know every aspect of life and universe. Whenever I get hold of an idea, I have the
passion to read more about it, research about it and ask questions regarding that particular
matter/ subject. Such attributes in me have made me capable of becoming a good leader
(Owen 2017).
3. Simplifying ideas: As a management student, I believe that the most important aspect a
leader can achieve is that breaking complicated and complex ideas into smaller parts and
simplifying them completely so that they can be well comprehended by the ordinary
people (or the followers). Leaders have become most successful when they were able to
convey their vision to the common people in the most simple manner. Leaders are made
by the society so that they show a path or a road to a team to carry out a particular task or
reach a particular point. A leader is also called a pathfinder or a torchbearer at the same
time. I believe I have the capability of breaking complex and complicated ideas into
smaller simple ideas so that those would be understandable by the common people or the
potential subordinates. Therefore, I believe that such quality will make me commendable
enough to be a good leader in future (Kurucz, Wheelerand Colbert 2013).
Weaknesses
1. Lack of self management: Even though I believe that I have certain quintessential
leadership capabilities, however, I feel that I am less organized and lack proper self
control and self management.Self management is important for leaders because

7LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
leaders have to deal with different people in different situations. A proper self-
regulated man would be ideal for a leader as he would be mentally and physically
prepared for whatever challenges he faces in his career in leadership. Lack of self-
control and self- management gives rise to dysfunctional thoughts. Often, the
dysfunctional thoughts give rise to negative beliefs and prejudices, leading to an
underperformance of the leader or the individual. I believe that I lack in constructive
thinking because whenever I think about any aspects of leadership, the thoughts are
quite fragmented. A self- managed leader would have mental imagery of his actions
and are more likely to deliver betterand successful performance compared to possible
results, and it is a proven fact that a less organized mind gives rise to less organized
thoughts, making room to mistakes and negativities (Hill, Jones & Schilling, 2014).
So, self- management and cognitive management is essential for a leader to perform
well in his tasks and workplace.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Serial
Numbe
r
Objectives Action Resources
needed
Commentar
y
Time taken
1. Enhancing
Self-
management
skills: Time
management
Time management can
be enhanced by:
1. Prioritization:
Prioritization
can be brought
SMART
goal
templates,
books,
podcasts,
Learning,
prioritizing
and
scheduling
are some of
Approximatel
y 8 months

8LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
out by taking
the help of
SMART goalsin
segregating and
executing the
tasks.
2. Scheduling the
tasks: whatever
tasks that needs
to be prioritized
and executed
should also be
scheduled such
as, at what time
it should be
executed, or the
deadline for
completing the
task.
3. Learning:
reading books
about time
management,
videos on
time
management
,
applications
on mobile
phones that
help in
Scheduling
and
prioritization
, digital
portal,
internet and
computer.
the
important
actions that
can be taken
in order to
improve
time
management
skills that
can also be
fueled by
keeping
away from
distractions,
such as
social
media,
unnecessary
phone calls
and so on.

9LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
watching
videos, podcasts
and audio-
visuals of time
management to
understand the
importance of
the subject.
2. Enhancing
memory
There are many ways
by which memories can
be enhanced, such as:
1. Working on
visualization
skills:
Visualization
skills help
immensely in
boosting
memory as it
helps in
visualizing the
situations or
tasks that a
books,
podcasts,
videos
memory
management
,
applications
on mobile
phones that
help in
visualizing
and
organizing,
digital
portal,
Memory
training and
management
would take
time to seep
into the
mind of the
individuals,
therefore,
patience and
perseverenc
e is very
important in
this case.
Approximatel
y 10 months

10LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
person is about
to do so that it
gets registered
in his memory
completely
without much
effort.
Visualization is
a natural
process of
storing data in
the mind of
individuals in a
visual way that
would help the
individual to
retain the
matters better.
2. Organizing and
structuring: It
would be
interesting to
know that
internet and
computer.

11LEADERSHIP AND DECISION MAKING
several
researchers have
found out that
when an
information is
received by an
individual that
information is
organized in
memory in the
form of related
clusters. When
individuals try to
structure and
organize similar
concepts and
terms together,
there have been
instances where
memory has
improved.
3. Dethroning
the theory of
unwillingnes
s to change
A good leader knows
that in the world,
change is constant, and
a leader who is not
books,
podcasts,
videos
memory
Being a
freethinker
is important
in today’s
Approximatel
y 1 year