Introduction
Leadership is defined as the process of influencing the followers to follow the desired course of action by the leader (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013). In organizations, the success of such entities is tied to the efficacy of the organizational leadership. Successful leaders exhibit unique traits and skills that separate them from the rest. The focus of this study is on self-assessment and action plan. Unless individuals have a thorough understanding of their weaknesses and strengths in leadership, it would be difficult for them to engage in a corrective course of action. They may equally not in a position to exploit their strengths in pursuit of their mission and vision. Through a leader development program, the skills of such leaders are enhanced.
Part 1: Leadership profile
Self-assessment results that surprised me
In the assessment of my leadership skills, one of the areas that surprised me is that I have a very good understanding of leadership and decision-making capability. Nevertheless, I noted that my poor communication skills, especially in public presentations limited my ability to influence others to follow my course of action. At the same time from self-assessment, I realized that I could make a good leader although I tend to avoid such opportunities to concentrate on personal issues (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
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Topics to integrate into current position
In the current position, I have realized that there are topics on communication skills especially public speaking that I need to explore if I am to enhance my leadership skills. From situational theories of leadership, I have equally noted that there are various approaches to leadership in organizations. I thus need to explore such approaches and gain understanding on instances where one approach to leadership is superior to another. Such understanding will increase my efficacy in leadership in multiple scenarios.
Topics to focus on in future career
In my future careers, I will focus on areas such as situational leadership, teamwork, and motivation in influencing followers to follow the desired course of action. These areas are vital if I am to successfully engage in effective leadership in the future. It is only through effective teamwork that organizations can derive synergy in their operations.
Strengths
Coaching skills
From self-assessment, I have realized that I have outstanding coaching skills. I can systematically support the subordinates in their execution of tasks, especially owing to my high inclination towards a participatory approach to leadership. For instance, in my recent internship, I aided people without understanding on how to use Microsoft Excel in calculations (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
Practical
I have a high level of practicality when leading others. Such an approach is based on the fact that all of my decisions are research-based and in line with best practices. For instance, I always urge people to follow the course of actions that are not only dogmatic but also practical.
Strong decision-making capability
I am a very analytical person in nature. As a result, my leadership is informed by through analyses of data and facts. At the same time, I am systematic in the manner I approach issues, using decision making diagrams and other visual aids (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
Influencing others
In my leadership, I tend to influence others easily owing to my well-established decision-making criteria. At the same time, I am a charismatic person who often tends to draw attention to crowds notwithstanding some challenges in public presentations
Delegation
As a leader, I am very competent in delegating of duties to others. I realize that leaders may not be in a position to execute tasks on their own. As a result, it is important to delegate some tasks to junior members. Nevertheless, I ensure that people to whom tasks are delegated to have the ability to execute them.
Weaknesses that I need to mitigate
Poor public speaking
While I am confident in the content of what I present to the public, I often feel some anxiety when making presentations. For instance, I may stammer while heartbeat increases limiting the flow of what I am saying to the audience
Low Confidence
In leadership, the followers are likely to believe in the words of the leader if he or she demonstrates confidence. While I am somehow confident, I need to improve my confidence levels. Such confidence is lost when asked to hurriedly make a presentation without thorough preparations.
Handling pressure
Leaders operate in a scenario where they are faced with multiple stakeholders and demands. In some cases, I find such demands so overwhelming such that I step down from the leadership position, paving the way for a more resilient leader (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
Insufficient ability to handle diversity
Modern learning institutions and workplaces are characterized by a high level of diversity. I often fund it draining trying to create a common organizations culture in an environment everybody has their approach to reasoning and way of doing things (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
Resource management
In many cases, I find myself spending too much money on urgent yet nonstrategic activities, often diminishing resources for long-term engagements and resulting in borrowings.
Part 2: Action plan
Enhancing public speaking skills
Communication skills are critical among leaders. It is through effective communication that they can inform the followers on the intended mission and vision and how to go about it. To attain such skills, I will join online classes on public speaking for three months. At the same time, I will always look for practical opportunities in school, home and at the workplace where I can boost my public communication skills. In team works, I will also ensure that I take available opportunities and address other members of the team. In my future presentations, I will ensure that I have engaged inadequate preparation before making presentations. I will also practice public speaking on my own as well as in groups. Breathing deeply during presentations and adopting their right body language will boost my competence in public speaking (Runde, & Flanagan, 2013).
Enhancing confidence
As a leader, one is required to exhibit a high level of confidence in themselves as well as what they are saying. The initial step I will undertake in boosting self-confidence is better grooming. I will engage in grooming classes for three months. During this period, I will equally be attending or watching motivation talks on self-confidence one hour per day. Development of positive thinking and killing of any negative thoughts will enhance my ability to project a good image and boost confidence levels. I will equally learn about situations that I am expected to handle and employ the best approach to leadership in such scenario. Having understood that a certain approach to solving issues will work is critical in realizing the overall desired outcomes (Bittner, 2011).
Enhancing my ability to handle pressure
Leaders, like other employees, are bound to experience instances of stress and burnout. In this particular case, to increase my ability to handle the pressure, I will engage in three months training on leadership. During this period, I will also increase my understanding of delegation and setting of individual limits when it comes to the expectations placed on me. Through proper alignment and focus on the vision and avoiding distracting activities, I will be able to mitigate such pressure. Better skills will equally equip me with the ability to do more with ease. By investing in teamwork, I will be able to share tasks with colleagues and realize synergy in operations. Cooperation between team members acts as a platform on which new resources and ways of handling issues will be realized (Bittner, 2011).
Management of diversity
To enhance management of diversity, I will engage in three months online and physical interactions with individuals from different social cultural and economic backgrounds. I will stop looking at such individuals as a challenge but source of uniqueness. A three months training on diversity management will equip me with the requisite skills (Bittner, 2011).
Resource management
Leaders are entrusted to scarce financial and human resources. The realization of goals is influenced by how well they allocate such resources to the most optimal targets. I will undertake three months training in resource management. All of the measures that will be taken in enhancing leadership skills will thus take three months after which I will take stock of the progress and identify areas that need improvement. In particular financial literacy including proper budgeting will increase my ability to execute tasks (Bittner, 2011).
Conclusion
Based on the above presentation, it is clear that leadership process requires the leaders to have skills and competencies. Through self-assessment, leaders are in a position to identify their strengths and areas that they need to improve. In the above self-assessment, it is clear training and development are necessary if my weaknesses in leadership, especially when it comes to public speaking will be eliminated. Enhanced ability to manage scarce resources and managing of diversity in the current highly diverse organizations will equally enhance chances of success in leadership. Good analytical skills and improved self-confidence will also enhance my ability to influence followers to follow the desired mission and vision and realize the intended goals.
References
Bittner, A. (2011). Platform or personality?: The role of party leaders in elections . Oxford:
Oxford University Press.
Runde, C. E., & Flanagan, T. A. (2013). Becoming a conflict competent leader: How you and
your organization can manage conflict effectively . San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
