Week 5
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Welcome to Week 5.
As we come to the end of LDR3200 Organizational Leadership one must realize the path to leadership is never truly realized. This statement is true regardless of situation, whether one is talking about personal leadership or organizational leadership. Including this week’s journaling, discussions, and assignments we have discussed several theories of leadership with the ultimate intent of creating your own personal leadership development plan. But, remember, learning to become a leader is never complete.
To prepare for this week’s learning, read/watch the items below:
• Read Chapters 9 and 14 of your Northouse textbook.
• Read Chapter 20 of your Maxwell textbook.
• Watch the TEDTalk video clip: https://www.ted.com/talks/tom_wujec_build_a_tower?language=en#t-165779
• Watch the TedTalk at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVPxmz_PvUw
WK5 Devotional
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively.
If one falls down, the other can help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
As a leader understanding the value of teamwork is very important. When we look at history we see the value of people working together to achieve a common goal. Christ himself believed in the power of working in a team. Think about him calling the twelve Disciples, he did not call just one, he called twelve because he knew two were better than one.
The key as a leader is to see value in others and realize that each person is gifted with certain things that alone are not always good but when put into a team they are invincible. Recognizing each other’s gifts and embracing the common goal, no matter our differences, and trusting the power of working together can change any organization. Be the leader who sees value in teams and builds, encourages, and believes in people!
• Consider this:
o How important are teams in your leadership philosophy?
o How can you be a better leader by embracing teams?
WK5 Authentic Leadership Discussion
Objective: Assess the impact of authentic leadership in the workplace.
When you read about the plethora of theories in relationship to leadership, authentic leadership is one of the newest areas of leadership research. This comes from a sociological approach to leadership due to the many issues that have transpired over the last decade in relationship to leaders at major corporations such as Enron, WorldCom, and the banking industry. People want to know what real leadership looks like, and where honesty and goodness are found within the characteristics of what real authentic leadership looks like. This week’s assignment will afford you the opportunity to review, reflect, and reassess what authentic leadership truly is and if you want to be considered an authentic leader! Northouse gives an “Authentic Leader Wheel” that gives descriiptions and dimensions of what an authentic leader should have in his or her wheelhouse.
Northouse, 2016
Being an authentic leader is made up from many different aspects and characteristics. Northouse gives five that are the bedrock of what it takes to be a true authentic leader. First, is purpose, the ability to have a purpose and know the purpose. Second, is values, the desire and commitment to be a leader with values that are good and moral. Third, is to understand and build on relationships, Authentic leaders know people are the core of success. Fourth, is being a person of self-discipline, willing to work hard and never give up. Fifth, is heart, he or she must have a heart and begin to see people from a holistic approach. Each of these characteristics is important, but molding them all into a “values based” approach to being an authentic leader is where true success lies.
• Read Chapter 9 of Northouse
• Complete the Authentic Leadership Self-Assessment Questionnaire in Ch.9.
• In your initial post, include the following:
o Briefly summarize authentic leadership.
o Describe a situation where you have (or have not) seen authentic leadership in the workplace. How did the inclusion (or exclusion) of authentic leadership impact the situation?
o In what way(s) does authentic leadership reflect a Christian worldview?
WK5 Keep Leading, Keep Learning Journal
Instructions
Objective: Explain how continued learning is necessary to be an effective leader.
As you take time to read and reflect on the baseline foundations of leadership you will begin to see the value of having a leading and a learning. When we embrace the key concept of being a lifelong learner, this is where leadership has a core. Every great leader understands and embraces the core concept, that one must be teachable all their life. We have never arrived and we always need to be willing to work hard, learn more, and value people. These three principles are critical to one’s own success in being a great leader. This week’s reading will give you additional insight and value in learning as the key to leading.
When we stop learning, we stop leading. This is a very direct thought process, yet, if we are not willing to learn new things how can we expect to lead new ways. As you begin to solidify your knowledge and leadership principles, it is essential to have “learning” as one of your core principles. Learning is much more than reading a book, it is a reflective process that affords us the opportunity to engage material and people at new levels, to listen without bias, and lead with direction.
• Read Ch. 20 of your Maxwell textbook.
• Watch the TedTalk at:
• Create a 1-page journal post regarding the concept of teachability in relationship to leadership.
o Use insights from the resources this week and your personal experiences in your journal entry.
All written assignments should be formatted using APA.
WK5 Leadership Development Plan
Instructions
Objective: Create a plan for personal leadership development.
From a Biblical perspective, leadership development is a life-long pursuit. We know that we must grow in our knowledge of Christ, our understanding of discipleship, and our devotion to His purposes. In other words, what matters to God should determine what shapes our leadership practices in all situations. This requires an intentional focus on improvement, but our commitment to the process often diminishes in direct proportion to our hectic schedules and difficult relationships.
This assignment allows you to evaluate your current status as a leader and identify specific strategies for growth by applying the principles and practices of leadership that we’ve discussed throughout the course.
Using the following template, create a realistic and manageable plan that focuses on components of effective leadership as outlined in this course and the results of the leadership surveys you completed. Since development is a process that occurs over time, do not create a grandiose scheme that looks great on paper but has little connection to the realities of your responsibilities and professional situation. Identify short-term and long-term development goals that are relevant to your situation and look for ways to incorporate these goals within the context of what you are already doing. Authentic and permanent changes most often come from small, meaningful, and intentional behaviors that are practiced until they become part of the way you live your life.
• Use the following template to complete a plan for personal leadership development.
Template
I. Vision Statement: What’s your vision or calling for leadership?
II. Values Statement: What values guide your attitudes and behavior as a leader? Provide a list of your top five values and give a brief rationale for why these are on the list.
III. Summary of questionnaire results: Based on the questionnaires you completed throughout this course, summarize what you discovered about your attitudes and preferences toward leadership. Consider the following questions in preparing this summary: How do my attitudes and preferences align with the standard of “best practice” as presented in this course? What aspects need improvement?
IV. Goals for leadership development: List a combination of four or five short and long-term goals that will contribute to your leadership effectiveness. Focus your goals on two or more levels: individual goals (self-improvement); interpersonal goals (relationship improvement); team/organizational (team or organizational impact); community goals (societal influence); and professional goals (positive contribution to your profession). Describe each goal, beginning with the most important ones first. Explain the importance of each goal as it relates to your summary statement (from section III).
V. Action plan: For each item listed in section IV, identify the strategies that you will use to achieve the goals. Define specific resources, timelines, and other details that are needed.
VI. Assessment: For each goal, identify how you will assess your progress. In other words, describe how you will know when you have accomplished your objective.
• Follow the format above I-VI in submitting your plan, which should include a clear introduction and concluding summary.
• Use a title page and correctly formatted APA headings.
• Include academic support for each section and include citations and a reference page (demonstrate what informs your leadership plan).
• Provide Biblical support for your plan.
• This paper should be 3-5 pages.
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