Leadership Development: Personal Reflection Report, [University Name]

This report provides a personal reflection on a leadership course, exploring various leadership concepts, models, and styles. The student discusses their understanding of leadership, including its historical context, traditional and contemporary models, and the difference between management and...Read More

Leadership in business

In the present era, business has seen unpredictable changes, with the ups and down in
management frameworks and the introduction of new visionary leadership styles. Business today
are thriving for success while are seeking to make their workplace more productive, for this
aspect leadership is the key to achieve the same. This coursework had provided me learning that
leadership states that leaders are not made rather they are born. Some of the individuals possess
traits and capabilities that can make them effective leaders (Bolman and Deal, 2017).
I was able to understand proper meaning of leadership in letcture one. This is also supported by
activity we had in which we were discussing our own definition of leadership supported by
watching videop clip on leadership in which Qualities of Leadership - Inspirational Leadership
Quotes were discussed. As per the provided lectures leadership in the present context means
stimulating a personal vision to greater insights, the lifting of individual performance and
progress to next level, the formation of an individual personality beyond general terms Peter
Drucker (1974:463). Further, leading a team effectively is stated as a core component which
offset the business objectives with the consideration of the best interest and attitudes of
employees. Today, leadership is considered as the significant element in each aspect of an
individual contribution in all social forms that surround it and define it Nicholson (2103).
This lecture further provide detailed undertstanding of leadership by describing aspects such as
legitimacy, initiative, intention, behavior and Morality. Lecture was continued by importance of
leadership as I get to know that leadership contributed greatly to the involvement level, job
satisfaction and interest of employees in a supportive manner. Moreover, leadership is the best
means to foster meaningful business and individual development to ensure that the business
strategy never gets outdated. Leadership defined that it is significant to have best suitable people
to drive and lead the business successfully (Antonakis and Day, 2017). Leadership is said a
collective procedure shared among team members. This process is adopted by an individual who
is said to be a leader who influences, motivates, inspires and provides confidence alongside in
pursuit of success.
In the second week; I learnt about history of leadership by considering literature provided by
authors such as Thomas Carlyle and Bass (1995:5). I have learned that leadership is a very
significant aspect for business as well as for state. Further; their value is inclusive of wisdom and
intellect. For this aspect, we can consider reference of Aung San Suu Kyi or Barak Obama which

provides higher benefits alongside. Leadership will benefit the organization as a whole, as the
employees will be compensated in a viable and timely basis, along with proper satisfaction to
shareholders (Goleman, 2017). The leadership come up with loaded motivation, which is one of
the most significant benefits for the workplace to make it positive and productive.
Week 3 had provided learning about the traditional and contemporary models of leadership,
difference between management and leadership and determinants of leadership. According to
Bass, 1999 there are two type of leadership behaviour i.e. transformational and transactional and
difference among these two can be noticed through following chart:
Week 3 also provided me learning that leaders are having huge power influence in form of
Reward power, legitimate power, expert power, coercive power, and referent power. Further
learning of Week 4 is conitnutiation of week 3 which shows difference between nature and
nature and describes common characteristics associated with leadership and changing concepts
of leadership over time.
This particular week had provided me learning that leadership enables a business form in-depth
and trustable relations with team members. According to Kirkpatrick & Locke, leadership is
associated with Achievement, Honesty and integrity, Cognitive ability, Tenacity, Knowledge of
the business, Tenacity and other similar aspects. It inspires and motivates followers to work even
harder on significant projects. Furthermore, it helps business to induce their inventors to aid
financing in their next projects (Fairhurst and Connaughton, 2014).
There are different leadersip styles, Supportive leadership, Directive leadership, Achievement-
oriented leadership and Participative leadership.

These leadership studies will help in my career and future goals, I want to become a retail
manager, and for this job leadership traits are necessary. In this aspect, I also have to develop
Emotinal intelligence as it embraces the effective awareness, management and control of own
emotions (Goleman, 1998). It has been show in video of Fred Sarkari - Great Leaders of Our
Time that Life can seem too long if we dwell on problems, but short if we let go of emotional
luggage, (Haobsh Amer, 2014). It was great video which is inspiring and powerful.
Further, by understanding leadership styles, models, theory and traits, it will be possible for me
to attain high growth and success in my chosen field. In the future, leadership will help in
becoming an influent leader, who will lead the team in the best manner, there making it
competent and productive (Latham, 2014). Leadership understanding and studies have great
benefits and advantages for me in my near future, as these will result highly beneficial and
meaningful in context with my selected career goals.
Leadership will help me in developing my own army of effective leaders, by making use of
communication, execution collaboration and other leadership styles; it will be possible to
develop a powerful vision to drive changes. Leadership is beneficial for every field, so it is
worthy to make an investment in leadership to nurture business culture (Luthans et al., 2007, p.
3). Further, these leadership studies will help me constant earning, accepting failures, taking
charge and attempting to lead.
It is said that learning is a never-ending procedure, I am required to learn more about leadership
skills an styles to become a good, influential and inspiring leader. By taking personal assessment
into account, it can be said that I have great communication and collaboration skills that will help
me in pursuing my career goal as a retail manager; however insufficient confidence in the front
audience will remain as an obstacle (Kouzes and Posner, 2017) . Communication and
cooperation skills are considered as a core element, which helps in developing leadership. It
helps in developing teamwork, compassion, clarity and transparency. These skills are
fundaments skills that must be present in a leader for claiming themselves as confident enough.
In leadership studies, skills like assertiveness, intelligence, carefulness and adaptability are
considered as the significant leadership skills. For developing Authentic leadership styles and
skills, it is essential to have a clear vision, sharing a clear vision will help in attaining shared

goals (Avolio, Luthans, and Walumbwa, 2004: p4). The good leader must offer a clear way to
the team so they can pursue.
Implication of leadership studies in future
Learning is integral to possess communication and collaboration from within, to motivategroup
members while making sure that the working environment is running effectively. Along with
this, I will be able to boosting positive work environment, flexibility, decision-making,
improving team-work and problem-solving. United and motivated teams are able to accomplish
their tasks at a given period, by working together it will be possible for me to attain the expected
targets and objectives (Owen, 2017). Moreover, planning of meetings on a frequent basis is also
important to receive idea and opinions of each other, enabling in better problem solving and
decision making. Thus, it will assist mein overcoming issues that act as a barrier in the path of
success. These will also boost team participation and individual involvement towards the mission
and vision of the organization as a whole.
Confidence is necessary to share own opinions and ideas in public, while a confident personally
also attract many people. Confidence is said to be key skills to become a great leader, as leaders
are required to address different groups and individuals. Hence, to become a good leader, one is
required to be an extrovert and sufficiently confident (Ebrahimi Mehrabani and Azmi Mohamad,
2015). On the other hand, insufficiency of this skill can create an adverse effect on first
impression and image in public, by which I am not able to place my perspectives in a suitable
manner due to which my overall performance can be adversely affected.
Aspects which I need to learn
Developing leadership skills needs taking responsibility for own work and objectives while
setting priorities for the work. The most important step is to take initiatives and assigning their
followers to task according to their skills and abilities (Tourish, 2014). Thus I need to learn to
take initiatives to put my thoughts in a confident manner. Critical thinking is also necessary to be
able to consider possible problems which can come in the near future. Serving as a role model is
also a great task to develop own leadership skills, along with setting clear goals and targets and
following action plans which is need to learn. Managing a positive workplace and own attitude is
necessary before going managing the same of the employee. Own motivation is necessary to
motivate others, as if one is not personally motivated then they cannot aspire other to attain their

targets and objectives (Daft, 2014). It is important for me to make improvement in my
communication skills, as great communications help in delivering better messages to the entire
team. I have learnt this in week 4 and 5. Communicational aspect helps a leader in problem-
solving and decision making.
Ways in which I will improve my leadership skills and development opportunities
Leadership skills involve enacting initiatives to pursue opportunities, listening effectively to
employees and give them a chance to share their ideas and opinions. Week 6 provids learning
that one of the vital skills that must be developed is listening; this will help in getting feedback
and reviews from other employees, thereby making improvement in weak areas. Motivation is a
great source to energize and develop the spirit of the team. With motivation, a leader can
positively influence their followers this can do by providing rewards and recognition to
employees (Miner, 2015). Taking ownership of issues, estimating possible problems, taking
actions on the same and acting responsively to resolve issues will also contribute to developing
own
Since I want to pursue a retail manager position, by considering this aspect my development
opportunities are joining an internship program or course in a big management company, where I
will be able to boost my learning and can learn more about future development activities
(Northouse, 2017). I will also join workshops, events, courses and program to boost my learning
power; this will help me in developing my leadership and management abilities as a manager.
The development opportunities which I am required to act upon are communication; this will
help me in future to communicate with my teams timely and effectively Trevino, et al
(2000:134). For this I am inspired the video of Unshackling the 'double bind' of the female leader
covered in the activity. Elimination of discrimination and encouragement of participation,
Consideration of other opinions and expectations, supporting and developing members to
stimulate inner talent, delivering expected results (Bolden, 2016). Along with working in a
planned and organized manner, developing positive strategies and approached to drive changes
are the development opportunities which it wants to act upon.
From managers, it is expected by the organization, that they possess key skills, knowledge and
attitude for delivering expected business goals and results. With these leadership skills, quality

work, creativity, better communication, collaboration, mutual achievement, teamwork can be
ensured. By developing own skills, it will be easy to recognize and develop personal efforts.
Leadership development opportunities are highly worthy, which will help in developing an
individual career, while providing them a platform to enhance their skills and talents (Day and
et.al, 2014). I had learnt this by considering videos that I had watched as activity of course work
that Why Should Anyone Be Led by You? - Authentic leadership.These will offer knowledge
and insights that help in establishing goals and making use of best and relevant aspects that help
in becoming a successful leader.
Conclusion
By considering the present study, I had learnt that leadership skills are important for career
development. I was able to understand that benefits of leadership are a high encouragement for
employees, the creation of enthusiasm at the time of challenges or changes, negotiation abilities,
leveraging a company culture in a positive manner and stimulating, trust, loyalty, relationship
and retention. This reflective study had provided me learning about critical aspects of leadership
and ways through which in can resolve my current skills issues such as multi tasking and
confidence aspects. It is not easy for me to entrust others and managing the work alone. As I
over-assess those things which do not require that much of consideration. Due to lack of
confidence, it is hard for to believe on team members that they can accomplish their given target
at appropriate terms. It is hard for me to like motivating and encouraging the team which acts a
major obstacle to achieving the ultimate target. For this I will be receiving feedback from group
members about any mismanagement in work to stimulate job satisfaction. To measure my
improvement Measuring the degree of results in a realistic manner and ascertaining

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