Reflective Essay on Individual Responsible Leadership Model

Question

Task: In this individual assessment you will critically reflect on your key learnings in this subject to develop your own responsible leadership model. You will present your critical reflection in a brief essay, and you will present your model in a visually engaging format (i.e., an infographic). Your infographic will clearly convey your responsible leadership model. The infographic will also depict your leadership strengths and areas for improvement, relative to the model.

Meta:This study is a reflective essay of my own experience which I had while working for a firm. The main focus of this essay will be o the various attributes that a person must possess in order to perform the leadership activities in the best possible manner

Answer

Part 1: Reflective Essay
Introduction
This study is a reflective essay of my own experience which I had while working for a firm. The main focus of this essay will be o the various attributes that a person must possess in order to perform the leadership activities in the best possible manner. However, the study will be covering some of the models of leadership, which will further help me in developing better sense on requirement of skills for better functioning of leadership responsibilities.

Discussion
As mentioned in the study of Amanchukwu, Stanley&Ololube (2015), leaders are not made but created. However, as per my opinion, I believe that leadership is an inborn trail that a person possesses, but somewhere I even believe that a leader can be made by providing the right guidance and courses to someone. In leadership, motivation and assessment plays one of the most essential roles. The study of Amanchukwu, Stanley &Ololube (2015), also mentions that negotiation is the most essential skill that a person must have to become a leader, as this skill is needed for making other understand and manipulate with the motive to achieve the set goals and targets. The “Great Man” theory which is mentioned in the study of Amanchukwu, Stanley &Ololube (2015), also states that, “the capacity for leadership is inherent, that great leaders are born, not made.” However, the study of Thompson&Glasø(2015), mentions the leadership is based on situation. The situational theory discussed in this study helped in understanding that it is essential to treat the subordinate individuals based on the dynamic of the situations. This can help in bending the skills and confidence level of the subordinates in the best possible manner. I think, it is essential to possess the skill of assessment, which involves patience, listening and even creativity. With the help of these three skills, I think leadership can be more effective. Contradictorily, the study of Dartey-Baah (2015), mentions that transactional leadership is nothing but exchange of those things that creates values to both the superiors and the subordinates. This is again contradicted by the transformational theory of leadership, where it is identified that there is a relationship of contract between the leaders and their subordinates, where both the parties are focused on fulfilling the needs of others.

I think that the most essential thing of leadership it to understand the process of the business and even in understanding the mindset of the employees so the most suitable leadership pattern can be followed. In transactional leadership there are three different perspective based on which the leadership is delivers, they are contingency, rewards and management (Dartey-Baah, 2015). This again shows that it is necessary to make the right choice for the right situation and to apply this leadership within an organization. From the study of Oplinger et al.(2016), it can be determined that it is not only the skills that a person need to possess in order to become a good leader. However, it is even mandatory to have some of personal characteristics like mentoring, coordinating, innovating and even directing. These are some of the traits, which help a person in performing their leadership responsibilities in an accurate manner. According to me, I think, organizational process plays the most effective role in the selection of such traits that can be used to make leadership effective within the workplace.

To me, leaders are the link between the lower level employees with the higher management. It is essential for any leader in turning out the efforts of the subordinates in to something productive, which will support the growth of the firm by achieving the set goals and targets. Additionally, I think that it is necessary for a leader to be honest and a leader should never misuses his/her powers. The study of Hao&Yazdanifard (2015), clearly mentions that change within an organization is evident and it is the responsibility of the leader to manage those changes. This shows that it is essential for a leader in enhancing and shaping the behavior of the employees in such a manner, so that they are performing their actions as per the desired demands of the organization. Additionally, a good leader can even help in uplifting the culture of a company. Nevertheless, the study of Hao&Yazdanifard (2015), even mentions that leadership and management are not same but they share the common goal of business establishment.

Conclusion
It can be concluded, that a manager cannot be a good leader but a good leader can be a great manager. It is essential to understand the culture of the employees and the organization prior to the selection of leadership pattern.

Reference List
Amanchukwu, R. N., Stanley, G. J., &Ololube, N. P. (2015).A review of leadership theories, principles and styles and their relevance to educational management. Management, 5(1), 6-14.
Dartey-Baah, K. (2015). Resilient leadership: A transformational-transactional leadership mix. Journal of Global Responsibility, 6(1), 99-112.
Hao, M. J., &Yazdanifard, R. (2015). How effective leadership can facilitate change in organizations through improvement and innovation. Global journal of management and business research.
Oplinger, J., Lande, M., Jordan, S., &Camarena, L. (2016). Making Leaders: Leadership Characteristics of Makers and Engineers in the Maker Community. American Journal of Engineering Education, 7(2), 65-82.
Thompson, G., &Glasø, L. (2015). Situational leadership theory: a test from three perspectives. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 36(5), 527-544.

Part 2: Infographic