MBA401 People, Culture and Contemporary Leadership Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of various leadership concepts, drawing from lectures and personal reflections. It explores contemporary leadership styles, emphasizing moral leadership, and the importance of ethical practices in merging diverse interests. The report delves into the significance of confidence, behavior, and organizational culture in shaping leadership effectiveness. It examines leadership behaviors, styles, and strengths-based approaches, highlighting the impact of traits and skills on employee conduct. The report also discusses the perspective of leadership as a relationship, the characteristics and traits of effective leaders, and the influence of situational factors on leadership behavior. Personal reflections are included to demonstrate the practical application of these leadership principles.

Running head: LEADERSHIP 1
People, Culture and Contemporary Leadership
Name
Institution

LEADERSHIP 2
Contemporary styles of Leadership
Description
In week 12, I learned about people, culture and contemporary leadership. One of the key
lesson that I grasped clearly was about the principles and practices of moral leadership. The
lesson suggested that a moral leader is one who is able to practice good ethics. This is because it
plays a crucial role in enabling the leadership to merge the interests of various parties
(Rosenbach, 2018). The lesson went ahead to suggest that good leaders should be able to do the
right thing as perceived by reasonable people.
Interpretation
Leaders are people who are emulated and set a good example for others in the society.
Since I came out of the lesson, I have always wanted to express what l learnt during the lesson. I
made it upon myself to always lead by example. I am now very honest with how I deal with my
friends and family members. I consider other people I interact with and the community to reflect
on the impact of my actions before I commit myself.
Evaluation
These traits are very significant in the society and they help to develop good relationships
with others. Practicing these traits have made me associate with others in a manner that I had not
experienced before. People trust me more and want to associate themselves with me because
they know and understand my character. I am now able to respect others and listen to their issues
without being subjective and disrespectful to them because good morals form the basis of good
reputation.

LEADERSHIP 3
Future practice
This lesson has played a significant role in my life and now I am able to prepare myself
to become a good leader. I will be able to express myself to others in a manner that I would also
want to be treated. I have learned to be able to listen keenly to other people in the future as well
as consider my actions towards them. With these characteristics, my study will develop me to
become a good leader in the organization that am going to work.
Video by Dinesh Chelvathurai’s Zoom Meeting
Description
The video lesson that was presented by Richard Yohan Raju covered the topic of
leadership (Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing, n.d). The first
statement from the presenter made me interested in the topic because it grabbed my attention and
for a few moment I questioned myself whether I wanted to become a leader. I learnt that
individuals can be able to learn to be leaders. The presenter also motivated the class that by the
end of the lesson, most of the students would want to be leaders. The key points of the lesson
was that for one to become a leader, they ought to be confident and be able to deliver on the
expectation of those whom are led (Carroll, Ford & Taylor, 2019).
Interpretation
I learnt one thing about myself as the lesson went on. I have left many opportunities in
my life that required me to take on leadership roles. Whenever I am asked to step up in various
responsibilities such as organizing a meeting, I give the opportunity to other people because I
often lack confidence.

LEADERSHIP 4
Effectiveness
Confidence plays a crucial role in enabling people to develop trust and accept to be led.
On the other hand, lack of confidence can deter people from following an individual as a leader.
This is because confidence commands authority and people are likely to trust and follow a
person who is confidence. My action plan for this lesson motivated me to begin developing
confidence by familiarizing myself with different situations that make me uneasy.
Future practice
I learnt that confidence plays a critical role in enabling a person become a leader.
Therefore, I made it upon myself to interact with many people as possible and discuss various
issues pertaining my studies in order to develop the confidence of associating myself with others.
I also decided to ensure that I master different concepts that will help me to boost my confidence
when discussing various issues. Mastering and building my confidence will assist me to become
a great leader in the future.
Leadership Behaviors, styles and Strengths Based Leadership
Description
In week 9, we learnt about leadership behaviors, styles and strengths based leadership. In
this lesson, it was discussed that in order for leadership to occur, characteristics and skills ought
to be transformed to behavior. This implies that leadership behavior has an influence on the
employees. Behavior in this lesson was defined as conduct around others, communication and
actions (Wake, 2016). Dimensions of behavior of leadership is classified into consideration and
initiating structure.

LEADERSHIP 5
Interpretation
In this lesson, I learnt that traits and skills play a significant role in influencing the
behavior of other employees. In my view if a leader is known to be strict then the employees are
likely to follow command. On the other hand, if a leader is known to behave in an inappropriate
manner to the employees, the employees are also likely to adopt the behavior and consider it
normal after all the boss is doing the same. This essentially implies that the culture of an
organization is shaped through the behavior of a leader.
Effectiveness
Organization culture is a significant aspect when it comes to an organization. It
determines how the people work in an organization conduct themselves, communicate to each
other and act in the office. Good organization culture molds other employees into becoming
good leaders. In this context, I have learnt that transformational style of leadership largely
influences that way and organization is managed. Nonetheless, leadership behavior have the
capability of breaking or growing a company to meet its objective.
Future practice
Leadership behavior is one aspect of leading an organization and constitutes various
skills and traits. I have learnt that my action as a leader in the future are likely to influence the
way my employees are going to relate. Therefore, it is significant that I establish a culture within
the organization that offers standard of how people are going to relate. In my future career, I will
ensure that I note the type of behavior that is expected among professional and emulate so that I
do not influence other people negatively.
Perspective of leadership

LEADERSHIP 6
Description
In week 7, we learnt about what is meant to be a leader. The lesson provided various
context of who a leaders is through characteristics. The lesson indicated that a leader is a person
who is able to inspire confidence and be able to support others in achieving the objectives of an
organization. The lesson emphasized that leadership is a form of partnership with shared
responsibilities for purposes of improving performance (Grint et al, 2016).
Interpretation
One of the key insight that I learnt from this lesson is that leadership is a relationship.
The relationship is forged for purposes of achieving a common goal. In this relationship, there is
an individual that is expected to oversee the activities of others. This lesson was particularly
interesting to me because it enabled me to put myself in the position of leadership and question
my activities with other students to be able to draw leadership characteristics. I discovered I can
be a good leaders because I always assist other students understand concepts learnt in class.
Effectiveness
I learnt that selfishness is not a trait of leadership because selfish people never want to
assist others or see them gain in anything. For this reason, I made it upon myself to ensure that I
cooperate with other students in learning and discussing various issues that affect our academics
so that we are all able to achieve remarkable results when we complete out education. Through
assisting each other, I will form a habit of becoming a good leader.
Future practice

LEADERSHIP 7
Leadership plays a significant role in enabling organizations to succeed. Understanding
these fact has made me take much interest in becoming a leader because it will give me
responsibility and accountability over others which is significant in achieving success. I plan to
complete my education and get employed in a position that will enable me to grow and become a
leader so that I am able to develop a good relationship with other colleagues.
Characteristics and traits of leaders
Description
In week 8, I learnt about the characteristics and traits of leaders. The first topic discussed
focused on trait based leadership perspectives. Here, it was noted that traits and behavior
comprises 31% of a leadership effectiveness. Also, the lesson suggested that characteristics of
leadership and classified and three broad categories which include personality traits and
emotional intelligence, leadership motives and needs as well as cognitive factors and intelligence
(Lukman, 2017). The lesson also focused on 16 personality traits associated with leaders.
Interpretation
From the lesson, I was able to understand that there are various attributes that make
leaders who they are. I understood that some leaders lack various traits which makes them
experience various uncontrolled situations. For instance, I understood that emotional intelligence
is significant in enabling leaders to handle relationships with others in an organization. If
employees are noted to be hot tempered and react in an inappropriate manner in various
circumstances, a good leader should be able to ensure that the employees are calm, composed
and can be controlled.
Effectiveness

LEADERSHIP 8
Leadership characteristics are very significant in organizational setting where the leaders
are expected to be social beings. In this regard, I learnt that all communication within the
organization are interpersonal which implies that leaders are constantly relating with their
employees. In doing so, they have to be able to use their emotional intelligence in reading
employees character in order to be able to manage them. This traits can also be applied in a day
to day situation in dealing with other people.
Future practice
Characteristics of leadership play a significant role in determining the leadership styles
among leaders in organizations. I have learnt that there are various leadership traits that I must
have in order to practice good leadership in the future. Among the common leadership traits that
I must uphold include transcendence, courage, drive, collaboration, accountability, justice and
humility. These traits play a significant role in leadership position because they assist leaders in
managing their employees effectively.
Contingency and situational leadership
Description
In week 11, I studied about situational influences on leadership. The lesson suggested
that circumstances have an impact on the behavior and style of leadership. Therefore, leaders
ought to ensure that their behavior is contingent on situational forces. These situational factors
are not always in the control of a leader in as much as they play a crucial role in influencing the
behavior of a leader (Şenol & Lesinger, 2018). The lesson discussed various situational
leadership models such as Fiedler’s Contingency theory.
Interpretation

LEADERSHIP 9
I learned something very critical that has never crossed my mind before. It downed on me
that there are situations in a persons’ life that influence how they are going to behave. For
instance, whenever I visit the church, there are various activities that are controlled by the
church’s administration and guide the way I am expected to behave in the church. I am forced to
humble myself in presence of church leaders which also shapes my behavior when am
interacting with people of authority.
Effectiveness
This particular lesson is very effective as it demonstrates how various situations are likely
to shape ones character. For instance, a meeting involving the executives of a firm and junior
staff members is likely to force the staff to behave in a particular manner especially if it affects
the reputation of an organization. I understood why some certain firms ensure that their
employees conduct themselves in a particular manner even when it is not working hours
including outside the office.
Future Practice
In my future career, I expect to be under a leadership that plays a vital role in influencing
my attitudes and behavior that is likely to make me grow as a competent leader. Also, I
understand that various situation in my academic setting as well as contributing in shaping my
behavior. In future, I will also ensure that when I become a leader, I will be able to change
negative behavior of my junior employees by involving them with positive situations that will
model their character.

LEADERSHIP 10
References
Carroll, B., Ford, J., & Taylor, S. (Eds.). (2019). Leadership: Contemporary critical
perspectives. SAGE Publications Limited.
Grint, K., Jones, O. S., Holt, C., & Storey, J. (2016). What is leadership. The Routledge
companion to leadership, 3.
Lukman, H. (2017). Interactions between Personal Characteristics and Audit Behavior: A
Moderating Role of Organizational Commitment. International Journal of Economic
Perspectives, 11(3).
Rosenbach, W. E. (2018). Contemporary issues in leadership. Routledge.
Şenol, H., & Lesinger, F. Y. (2018). The relationship between instructional leadership style, trust
and school culture. In Leadership. IntechOpen.
Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://kaplananz.zoom.us/recording/play/xuzJRdSDnlI9esHorgiyiHl5O2mUFA8zMTi23
3TXGLSIxZTzeavWh-BH9NvfKMkD?continueMode=true.
Wake, D. (2016, January). Creating a Safety Culture: What it is and How to Get There.
In SPE/IADC Middle East Drilling Technology Conference and Exhibition. Society of
Petroleum Engineers.