Three Semester Review
1. My understanding of leadership has changed drastically through the past three semesters in the program. It has definitely matured in terms of how I expect leaders to lead and react to things. Now, leadership to me doesn't necessarily just mean doing things to reach a common goal. It now means being ethical, moral, and mature guidance as you try to better your organization or group.
2. In terms of my leadership style, I am a very strong-willed and confident leader. While I lack confidence in some aspects of life, when I am put in a position of power, I gain confidence and a sense of responsibility to lead successfully. I am also a leader that prefers feedback from peers and to work in a group setting. I tend to be a resilient leader, as I hate giving up or taking no for an answer when my proposal is very beneficial. I also am typically an informal leader, as I may not be a high-ranking individual, but I take it upon myself to establish myself within a group setting. Situational leadership is also a key aspect to my style, as situations differ significantly, thus my leadership style does too.
3. Several thorough case studies on different real world leaders have promoted the change in my viewpoints.
I uploaded my position paper as a case study did on whether Oprah Winfrey's investment in a school in Africa was misguided or inspired investment. I believe this was a key point in the beginning of my formulation of real leadership opinions. This was the first paper I wrote in PL, and before this I had never debriefed a leader's decisions.
Next, I uploaded a paper about John Harbaugh that I wrote this semester. This paper is very introspective into who I think is an effective and successful leader. This paper was after two full semesters of studying and analyzing leaders, and it was on someone I did no extra research on. I have followed John Harbaugh since he became the Ravens' coach in 2008, and used solely my opinion and observations about him. I didn't use any outside articles to form my opinion. This paper is my raw viewpoint on Harbaugh's leadership.
The final assignment I uploaded was my case study of Tim Cook from after my first semester in PL. It was following the most rigorous semester in terms of acquiring knowledge on different leadership styles and effective leaders. This was a very lengthy case study on the CEO of apple, who I knew lots about his company, and little about him. I was able to study the way he worked, and changed the company in order to form my own opinion on him.
I uploaded my position paper as a case study did on whether Oprah Winfrey's investment in a school in Africa was misguided or inspired investment. I believe this was a key point in the beginning of my formulation of real leadership opinions. This was the first paper I wrote in PL, and before this I had never debriefed a leader's decisions.
Next, I uploaded a paper about John Harbaugh that I wrote this semester. This paper is very introspective into who I think is an effective and successful leader. This paper was after two full semesters of studying and analyzing leaders, and it was on someone I did no extra research on. I have followed John Harbaugh since he became the Ravens' coach in 2008, and used solely my opinion and observations about him. I didn't use any outside articles to form my opinion. This paper is my raw viewpoint on Harbaugh's leadership.
The final assignment I uploaded was my case study of Tim Cook from after my first semester in PL. It was following the most rigorous semester in terms of acquiring knowledge on different leadership styles and effective leaders. This was a very lengthy case study on the CEO of apple, who I knew lots about his company, and little about him. I was able to study the way he worked, and changed the company in order to form my own opinion on him.
Position Paper |
leadership philosophy |
tim_cook.docx |
4. Elements that I have used in real-life from this class has been at work this winter break. Since returning to work, I have been given a position of power and leadership. I have found myself to be a consensus leader, frequently asking my subordinates what the best approach they think is and