Reflective Report on Leadership: Analysis of Styles and Application

This reflective report provides an assessment of leadership, focusing on transformational and ethical leadership within organizations to foster communication and harmony. It incorporates learnings from previous classes and addresses challenges faced by leaders across international boundaries. The report highlights the importance of ethical leadership in promoting trust and motivating employees to achieve organizational goals. It emphasizes that effective leadership involves providing direction and aligning personal goals with organizational objectives. The analysis concludes that successful leaders require skills in organizing and managing employees, fostering creativity, and adapting their leadership styles to different situations. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a wide range of study tools and solved assignments for students.

Running head: REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
Reflective Report on Leadership
Name of the University:
Name of the Student:
Authors Note:

1REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
Executive Summary
This report had developed a reflective assessment on leadership, focused on analyzing the
different ways in which transformation leadership and ethical leadership is implemented within
modern organizations to attain effective communication and harmony in workplace. The
learnings from the previous classes had also been included. The challenges faced by leaders over
international boundaries had also been explained in the report. The complex issues have been
highlighted and suitable recommendations have been provided. The critical evaluation of modern
day leadership had shown that ethical aspect of leadership is crucial in developing harmony and
promoting trust within the organizational setting. It had also been highlighted that effective
leaders guide their employees effectively and motivate them to meet their goals. The analysis
showed that leadership is all about providing direction to their employees so that they are able to
understand the goals of the organization and align their personal goals to that of the
organizational goals. The conclusion that had been drawn from the report is that effective leaders
need skills of organizing and managing employees effectively to fulfill their short term and long
term goals within the organization. Creativity and productivity of the employees could also be
managed using effective leadership styles. The analysis had also portrayed that there is no
correct form of leadership and effective leaders change their styles based on the needs of the
situation.

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Table of Contents
1. Introduction......................................................................................................................2
2. Reflection on key ideas and issues..................................................................................2
2.1. My initial thoughts....................................................................................................2
2.2. Learning in the Class................................................................................................4
2.2.1. Transformational Leadership.............................................................................4
2.2.2. Leadership and Cultural................................................................................10
2.2.3. Values and Ethic Leadership...........................................................................11
3. The ways in which I will apply my knowledge in Future.............................................12
4. Conclusions....................................................................................................................12
References..........................................................................................................................14

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1. Introduction
In the recent era of increasing competition, most of the multinational organizations are
looking for effective leaders in attaining competitive advantages. It has also been revealed that
suitable leadership style is followed in maximum organizations in attaining better understanding
of the employee along with the organizations (Avolio et al., 2016). The objective of the reflective
paper is to develop a reflective report on leadership along with evaluating the ways in which
transformational and ethical leadership is followed in the organizations in order to attain an
environment of effective communication and harmony in the workplace. I will also focus on
explaining the learning that I have gathered from my previous classes along with explaining my
thoughts that I have attained as a leaders. Through completion of this reflective learning report, I
will also explain that the challenges those are faced by the leaders of current era takes place from
emerging modern day businesses all over the international boundaries. In addition, the reflective
essay will also elaborate the complex issues related with different forms of leadership followed
in the companies along with recognizing several recommendations in enhancing the leadership
quality followed in the global organizations.
2. Reflection on key ideas and issues
2.1. My initial thoughts
My thought as leader
After I attained learning on leadership in the class, I have developed certain useful
thoughts as a leader that can facilitate me in maintaining an effective workplace culture in my
future organization. One such through that I have gathered on effective leadership is that a

4REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
leadership style that is followed is highlighted to be one of the most vital individual influences
on the organizational innovation (Bird & Mendenhall, 2016). This is for the reason that leaders
can directly take a decision to introduce new ideas within the companies along with setting
pacific goals along with innovation initiatives for all its followers. Moreover, an example of
effective leadership probated in my class on Apple Inc leader “Steve Jobs” facilitated me in
developing a thought on the fact that a legendary leader followed transformational leadership in
making his company a success. I have also developed a through that transformational leadership
style has a great role in shaping employee behavior on maintaining culture of constant innovation
within the organization (Demirtas & Akdogan, 2015). Moreover, I also hold a view that the
contingency theories those exist on leadership explain the effectiveness of leadership in terms of
distinct situations along with analyzing the effect of leadership behaviors on the outcome as
being different across certain specific situations. After the learning I attained from the class, I
hold a thought that leaders offer their subordinates a sense of the factors those are vital in the
organizational reality (Ferris, Moore, Callaway & Foley, 2018). This also facilitates in
identifying directions that can show employees their purpose of working in the organizations that
stimulates their wish to attain the defined goals. I have also attained knowledge on the fact that
leaders can play a vital role in encouraging the creative outcomes of productive employees.
Leadership is not about a position
My class on leadership also facilitated me in developing a thought that “Leadership is not
about a position” as I believe that the effective leaders are someone those have followers along
with attaining knowledge that leader is person that has several followers and the leaders and
highly visible in setting examples that leadership (García-Morales, Jiménez-Barrionuevo &
Gutiérrez-Gutiérrez, 2015). Leadership is a great position that impacts lives of individuals. I have

5REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
also attained an understanding that position, title along with authority is generally confused with
leadership as the position along with authority offer the employees with increased potential to
lead but it necessarily dies not make the person a leader. I have understood leadership as
influence and not an authority. I have also attained an understanding that leaders do not just take
up high positions in the company but they also exert increased influence in order to impact
change. They are the ones those influence employees in attaining a common goal. I have attained
increased knowledge on the fact that leading is a vital role of the management that translates the
decisions of the companies into concrete actions.
The leaders also have the responsibility of motivating and guiding along with influencing
employees to perform all the essential tasks. The leaning on leadership that has been provided in
the class has increased my knowledge regarding the fact that the concept of serving is highly
important role of leadership. The leadership role serves as an inevitable refection of needs and
challenges of individuals in organizations with highly complex in the fast changing era. I have
also attained learning that leadership is all about behaviors along with skills those are required in
managing employee behavior within the companies in attaining a shared organizational goal. I
have also developed a through that leadership is not just a position and can play several major
roles in the organization through understanding that leadership’s major function is to develop
movement along with adaptive change within the organizational processes. This is done by them
through establishing direction by means of visioning, aligning employees along with inspiring
and motivating them.

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2.2. Learning in the Class
2.2.1. Transformational Leadership
Hersey & Blanchard theory (4 leadership style)
My class on leadership taught me the significance of Hersey & Blanchard Leadership
Theory on situational leadership along with explaining the four leadership style within the theory
(Malik & Singh, 2017). After attending the class I have gained knowledge on importance of this
leadership theory which defined four different leadership styles much as directive behavior,
supportive behavior, coaching and delegating behavior of leaders. An example of such leadership
was also provided through the case study of Air Asia in which the belief of the leader that his
team was focused on being able to manage as well as analyze the opportunities with their
intelligence (McNaney & Bradbury, 2016). In addition, the leadership style of this leader had
different elements as he was not stopped until he communicates the vision to entire team. In
gathering knowledge on the situational leadership theory I have attained an understanding that
directing leadership requires an increased direction by the leader along with less support in case
the employees tend to less competence as well as low motivation. I have also attained viewpoint
that coaching leadership style requires a lot of direction from the leader along with adequate
amount of support in a situation where the employees indicate the behavior of low competence
and high motivation (Pam & Pam, 2015).
My knowledge on the situational form of leadership also increased through understanding
that supporting leadership style needs less direction along with increased support from the
leaders as the employees have the tendency to follow low motivation and high competence. On
the other hand, I have gathered learning on delegating leadership style as the employees need

7REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
less direction by the leaders along with attaining less support from the leaders (Shin, Sung, Choi
& Kim, 2015). In following this leadership style the ladders focus on developing high
competence and motivation among the employees. In case I follow situational leadership in my
future organization, I need to follow that I must adapt this style based on maturity level of
employees. With the increase in the maturity, employee independence also increases accordingly
(Smith & Peterson, 2017).
Ethical leadership
From attaining a detailed learning in my class I have gathered that following
transformational leadership is of utmost importance in the current days changing business
environment. I have realized that ethical leadership in organizations serves as a leadership
process which is directed by respect for ethical values and beliefs and for the dignity along with
rights of others (Storey, 2016). From the learning provided in the class lecture on leadership I
attained knowledge that ethical leadership is associated with concepts related with trust,
consideration, honesty and fairness followed within the workplace. The lectures covered in the
class of leadership made my thoughts clear that implementing leadership within companies
involve considering ethics at the time of making decisions along with setting boundaries within
the companies as well as developing ideas to change organizational culture towards attaining
better performance (Tannenbaum & Schmidt, 2017).
My class on leadership also provided examples of Lehman and Brothers along with
Enron those were blamed for following unethical behaviors that resulted in failure of the
organization. I have attained increased learning in the class of leadership that leading a company
must involve the workforce members from both the generation X and Y so that the tasks along

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with the projects that are undertaken by companies are carried out in a smooth way so that there
is an increase in competitive advantages within the industry (Van Dick et al., 2017). I have also
learned that this can facilitate in promotion of strong work ethics along with developing
standards of professionalism in the company. I have also attained an understanding that in
following effective leadership style ethics and values complement one another. The values those
are adopted by businesses and there is increased value of ethics in leadership.
It’s all about Trust
From the class I attended on different leadership styles and attained an understanding that
trust is the new core of leadership. Leadership development requires high reformulation and for
same, the scale is observed to be different and the companies require an increased leadership
focused people. Moreover, trust is also an important factor in leadership (Waldman et al., 2016).
I have also attained an increased learning on the fact that when a leader indicates that it is highly
vital to be able to have confidence within honesty, truthfulness and sincerity in following ethical
culture among the organizational employees. In addition, I have also attained better
understanding on the fact tat the leader in an organization acts as a trust or who is willing to
accept risks and the role of the trustee is to remain trustworthy (Walumbwa, Hartnell & Misati,
2017).
In leadership, trust involves a frequent exchange of two major roles in which I believe
that in case one party seeks just to be trusted but never to trust, the other will eventually focus on
developing relationship among the trust or and the trustee. In analyzing the role of trust in
leadership I have attained a better knowledge. I have realized that trust in leadership followed
within organizations is intended to be focused on the manner in which bond among the leader

9REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
and his followers is created to attain increased success (Walumbwa, Hartnell & Misati, 2017).
My class on leadership cleared my viewpoints on the fact that a leader cannot be successful in
managing workforce within employees without building a rapport with their followers. This is
for the reason that devoid of trust, a leader will not be successful in influencing and motivating
its employees to follow them in attaining organizational objective (Steele, Watts & Den Hartog,
2018). Through attaining learning on effective leadership implementation in organizations, I
attained an understanding that through enlisting trust among the followers it is important to give
enough power to the followers so that leaders can attain authority in making sure that his
followers are willing to support them.
Attributes
a. empowers employees and motivates people through inspiration instead of persuasiveness
The key role played by the leaders is dependent on the identification of the issues that are
encountered by the employees. The identification of the issues and mitigation of the same helps a
leader in facilitating the smooth operations of the varied processes. The leader understands the
drawbacks of the employees and thereby empowers the same through induction, training and
sessions Malik & Singh, (2017) stated that the communicability of the leader assists the same in
holding interactions with the employees. Interactions with the employees help leaders in
identifying the concerns more effectively. On the other hand, persuasiveness of the leaders helps
the same in convincing the employees to undergo a change for the short-term financial benefits
of the organization. However, Malik & Singh, (2017) opposed the thought of persuasive leaders
with the view that leaders who genuinely understands the concerns of the subordinates helps in
the overall improvement of the workforce through motivation. Training the employees and

10REFLECTIVE REPORT ON LEADERSHIP
enhancing the skills of the same helps the leaders in improving the productivity of the business
firm. Therefore, it might be stated that the role of the leaders in motivating and empowering the
employees helps the same in supporting the long-term objectives of the business.
b. is goal oriented
The goal-oriented operations of a leader help the same in achieving the common target of
the organization. The vision of the leader helps the same in designing the processes in an
organization as per the needs of the same. Malik & Singh, (2017) stated that the key
modifications that are commenced by businesses are dependent on the vision of the leaders.
Moreover, Malik & Singh, (2017) also stated that the goal oriented operations of the leaders
helps in enhancing the organizational processes through the identification of the priorities.
Prioritizing the needs of the organization helps the leader in identifying the urgency that is faced
by the venture as per the goals of the venture is concerned. The goal oriented functioning of the
leader helps the same in guiding the subordinates to the direction of achieving the common
objective of the business firm. Different modifications that are commenced by organizations are
dependent on the decision making capabilities of a goal oriented leader.
c. view decision making with ethical point of view, not economical standpoint and
emotional
Decision making is one of the chief activity of a leader in a business organization. The
decisions that are undertaken by the leaders help the organization in guiding the processes for the
fulfillment of the sustainable objective. Malik & Singh, (2017) stated that ethical decision
making of a leader helps in enhancing the brand image and sustainability of the venture in the
international markets. On the other hand, the decision of a leader on the economical or emotional

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standpoints might affect the suitable functioning of the venture in the long run. Malik & Singh,
(2017) stated that a perfect leader is judged by the decision making capabilities of the same as
per the needs of the venture. On the other hand, : Malik & Singh, (2017) stated that the ethical
decision making of a leader is not sufficient for upholding the profitability of the venture.
However, Malik & Singh, (2017) stated that the ethical decision making capabilities of a leader
helps in leading the enterprise ethically which might be a slow process but ensures long term
sustainability of the venture.
2.2.2. Leadership and Cultural
There are numerous various in the two major leadership styles and the effective of each
of them is evaluated when it is gauged against goals and objectives of a leader. I have attained
learning that leadership and culture is interrelated. Certain skills along with traits are deemed to
be the vital aspects of successful leadership in most of the organizations (Irving, 2011). My class
on leadership also increased my knowledge that religion, language, traditions along with values
of a nation significantly contribute to the company’s culture of a global business. This is for the
reason that setting a standard of culture in the companies are important in setting standards
regarding acceptable conducts within working environment. My class earning elaborated on the
fact that there exist “culture clusters” that plays a vital role in impacting an individual’s
leadership style (Jaiswal & Dhar, 2015). From observing the case of the “Beatles Rock Band
Group” I have learned that the leaders do not require to constantly change their leadership style
based on local culture or the business transaction location also considered as insider approach.
Rather the leader must also maintain Universalist constructs in the leadership style for
appealing the team of employees in carrying out business internationally. The afflictive leader is
specifically attuned to the rational vibe of the company’s culture along with focusing on the