Leadership refers to the direction, guidance, and motivation of people towards the achievement of specific objectives. Thus, leaders manage, psych, and influence groups, ensuring that they reach their targets. The paper analyzes the book; "Reality-Based Leadership," which offers insight and critical evaluation of the general concept of leadership. The author, CY Wakeman, taking a significant position of leadership, allows readers to understand and analyze her framework, traits, style, weaknesses, and qualities. Through her book, CY Wakeman proves that she is a transformational leader, courageous, emotionally-intelligent, and humble. Wakeman acknowledges the significance of reality in leadership and encourages managers to be rational.
Selection of the Book: “Reality-Based Leadership”
Wakeman is a famous writer and motivational speaker. Several reasons motivated her to choose leadership as a major vocation. For instance, Wakeman spent most of her counselling sessions talking to corporation managers and owners (Forbes, 2016). From her experience, she learned that effective leadership is an objective that most organizations, governments, and institutions have been unable to achieve (Wakeman, 2010). Therefore, CY Wakeman realized that there was not only a gap on the subject but also a high demand of knowledge and training. Besides, she was able to develop a new approach, which she believed was revolutionary and would assist different organizations to achieve their leadership goals (Forbes, 2016). Therefore, armed with knowledge, experience, passion, and the desire to improve the world, CY Wakeman decided to make leadership her vocation.
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Theoretical Framework, Style, and Leadership Traits in the Book
Through her book, Wakeman presents several frameworks, styles, and traits that define her view of leadership. For instance, the primary leadership framework that the author adopts is the transformational model. The author has adopted leadership as their vocation by finding solutions to significant challenges that affect organizations and households. In her book, Wakeman (2010) encourages her readers to take charge of the situation and be ready to lead changes. She offers a reminder that no one is a cog in a gigantic machine. Instead, people can make changes, introduce revolutionary concepts, and break boundaries. Numerous instances from the book show that the author is transformational leaders. For example, she puts much emphasis on self-management and focus. Besides, Wakeman informs her readers to embrace new ideas instead of fearing them (Wakeman, 2010). Additionally, CY clearly states that individuals willing to achieve results should be ready to make hard decisions and adapt to new situations. From these aspects, CY Wakeman proves that she is a strong advocate of the transformational leadership framework.
The author advances the situational leadership style in her work. Wakeman repeatedly tells her readers to be willing to adapt to new situations. She even shows such adaption in her vocation and life, where she was ready to develop and advance revolutionary leadership theory. According to her, individuals should accept reality and determine the most appropriate strategies to handle different challenges and achieve the set objectives. Besides, she advises people to confront their situations instead of wasting time in judging and determining what is right or wrong (Wakeman, 2010). From the analysis of the book, the author does not settle on a specific style. Instead, she encourages readers to be ready to adapt transactional, coaching, servant, visionary, democratic styles where necessary. Thus, Wakeman displays a situational leadership style.
Wakeman focuses on several leadership traits. For example, she insists on courage. According to the author, courage is a vital feature of a leader. Besides, studies have shown that employees should be ready to defend their rights, boldly communicate their views, and be confident of their abilities as a stress management technique (Karabay, Akyüz, & Elçi, 2016). Wakeman gives an illustration of how workers can politely ask for a promotion when they deserve such positions. Additionally, the author shows excellent interpersonal skills. She explains the importance of excellent listening skills and humility. For instance, people should avoid taking credit and boasting about their achievement. Besides, Wakeman shows that patience is an essential leadership quality. Workers should be ready to work hard and encounter challenges before enjoying success. Therefore, the dominant leadership qualities that emerge from the book include courage, interpersonal skills, patience, and hard work.
Qualities and Shortcomings of CY Wakeman
Through her life and book, CY Wakeman shows specific qualities that I can emulate as a nurse manager. Firstly, she shows excellent skills in conflict management. Wakeman confirms that employees and leaders occasionally get into conflicts. By employing courage, moral voice, and honesty, managers can quickly resolve conflicts and achieve ethical leadership (Lee, Choi, Youn, & Chun, 2017). Secondly, Wakeman displays excellent emotional intelligence. For instance, she encourages her readers to avoid arguments and effectively manage their emotions. CY teaches employees and managers to keep their balance despite the challenges and conflicts they get into. Lastly, rationality is a major leadership quality that Wakeman portrays. For example, in her book, she acknowledges that personal visualizes may differ from reality. Thus, individuals need to understand the challenges and situations they are facing before making decisions or setting objectives.
Nonetheless, Wakeman, as a leader, has several shortcomings. For instance, she encourages her readers to work towards their happiness instead of striving to be right. Such advice is vague and may have numerous interpretations. Besides, it may encourage selfishness and immorality. Additionally, Wakeman offers advice that may only work in an ideal situation. Her leadership traits, qualities, and insight fail to address the complex situations and ethical dilemmas characteristic of modern working and living environments.
In conclusion, there have been numerous definitions of leadership. As a leader, Wakeman displays courage, insight, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making. Besides, she is a situational leadership who acknowledges reality. Due to the global diversity in social norms, culture, and political organization, an individual may be considered a leader in one setting while failing to achieve the same status in another. However, there are standard qualities that define leaders. These include courage, honesty, visionary, and rationality.
References
Forbes. (2016). Cy Wakeman. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/cywakeman/archive/#42c5228556b4
Karabay, M. E., Akyüz, B., & Elçi, M. (2016). Effects of Family-Work Conflict, Locus of Control, Self Confidence and Extraversion Personality on Employee Work Stress. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences , 235 , 269-280.
Lee, D., Choi, Y., Youn, S., & Chun, J. U. (2017). Ethical leadership and employee moral voice: The mediating role of moral efficacy and the moderating role of leader–follower value congruence. Journal of Business Ethics , 141 (1), 47-57.
Wakeman, C. (2010). Reality-based leadership: Ditch the drama, restore sanity to the workplace, and turn excuses into results . John Wiley & Sons.
