Dear Dr. Canary,
As I near the end of the semester, my very last semester of my undergraduate career, I have been reflecting on what I've learned and how I've applied that in my life. I work full-time in human resources as a staffing manager, and therefore, fulfill several different leadership roles and functions on a daily basis. I also have leadership opportunities in my church. Whether we hold positions of leadership or simply, fulfill leadership functions, opportunities seem all around us. In this course, I have been exposed to a new way of looking at leadership, and thus a new way of learning to improve myself.
- Course Objectives
I believe I have been successful, thus far in the semester, in meeting our course objectives which include the following:
- Students will learn various theories of leadership and their relationship to the practice of being a leader.
We have watched several movies in class which have made it easy to recognize many of the leadership principles and concepts we are learning in our studies and class discussions, applied to “real life.” It's a Wonderful Life helped me to recognize leadership opportunities and application in what might seem to be everyday life. We often don't think of ourselves as leaders or as having any particular influence, despite the many leadership functions we fulfill in our everyday lives. In the film, George Bailey, a regular, though well-respected citizen of his town, was a leader not only in position, but in character. What I mean by this is that we were able to clearly see the difference between simply acting out a leadership role and truly embodying leadership traits, not just those of a manager or dictator.
- Students will use theories and concepts covered in the course to help them understand leadership communication processes and their own leadership experiences.
In the film, Apollo 13, I was struck by the Delegating Leadership style displayed by Gene Kranz, the NASA Mission Control Director. As I stated in my Reflection Questions, “he had a large team to lead and needed keep them focused on saving the lives of three of them. The buck stopped with him no matter how many different opinions there were.” He had a team full of very capable, skilled experts. He recognized this and allowed them to do what the did best, for the good of the group. He made assignments, but commanded respect, as all knew that he was the leader in position to make the final call in all decisions. At times it may seem easy to watch a situation like the rescue mission of Apollo 13 on film and identify all the things a leader did right or wrong and what similar or different choices Iwould make in the same situation. But I think what struck me is how these principles of leadership styles, according to Blake and Mouton's Leadership Grid, translate to my work life.
I recognize that I am someone who likes to work autonomously most of the time, with support from my leader, but without specific “micro-managing” task instructions. However, I often find myself being the micro-manager to those who directly report to me. This has really caused me to step back and evaluate my personal leadership style. The Leadership Grid has given me specifics to look for within my followers (my direct reports) to identify the best leadership style for them to be able to succeed.
- Students will develop the ability to analyze communication issues of leadership and critically evaluate leadership processes.
This semester has turned out to be a very busy and active time in my professional career, as well. Many changes have occurred within my organization and within the organization I service as a Partnered Staffing Manager. Recently at work, we have begun to be faced with a major migration of jobs to other locations around the world. This multi-phased migration is planned over the next year, but is being announced now, so that we can begin to help current employees make the transition to other incoming jobs. I have realized, more than ever, the importance of effective communication, as we made announcements to all employees regarding the future of their jobs and the change of career path they may be faced with. When dealing with hundreds of employees, I realize how vitally important it is to be clear with my communication and to look at things from my audience's perception. The package my message arrives in is most critical when trying to ensure that my message and feeling are received in the manner I intended. If the message about a multi-phased migration of hundreds of jobs was delivered via email versus sit-down Town Hall-type meetings, the message would change, despite the words being the same. Effective communication does not consist of solely words. It is a combination of expression, both tonal and non-verbal, setting, timing, words, and solutions. We wanted to ensure that our employees understood that this announcement of job migration was coupled with the announcement of the influx of jobs coming here for which they could and are encouraged to apply. This is a wedding, not a funeral message, but would only be perceived that way if we package the message appropriately.
- Students will increase their sensitivity to ethical issues that pervade the process of leadership and use this sensitivity to be ethical leaders.
In the film The Devil Wears Prada the characters all came face to face with ethical issues, both as leaders and as followers. The main character, the leader of the fashion magazine, Miranda Priestly demonstrated an array of unethical choices, not to mention her unhealthy motivation for power and fame. As I wrote in my Reflection Questions, “She communicated non-verbally her negative reactions to others. She was selfish and in being so, put others down... she was very controlling and manipulative. She was greedy and did everything she could to retain her power.”
I have realized more through our study of ethics and ethical behavior in leadership, how many ethical issues arise in any given situation. We are constantly faced with choices throughout our leadership capacities to be honest or dishonest, to fudge the truth, or to make a choice to make ourselves look better. I don't think I realized before how often these type of situations arise. But as I have looked at my own work life, I noticed them all the time now. The most recent ethical choice has been since this multi-phased migration has begun, we have had the choice to inform our employees now and be as transparent as possible to aid them in their success or to wait until the last minute to avoid possible damage to the company by way of increased attrition from those who may want to jump ship. The ethical choice was to share plans, as far as they have been decided upon, with our employees and help them make wise choices. Our company is nothing without its employees and their talents. This can easily be a win-win situation for all. However, we're not discounting the huge impact this will have on individual lives, which is why we have chosen to be as transparent as possible and show our support of our employees and help them to make the transition to other internal positions.
- Students will use knowledge and skills gained in the course to be more reflective and effective leaders in organizations, groups, and/or communities.
I believe I have the unique opportunity of immediately putting into practice the knowledge and skills I learn in this course, into my work life. I can immediately see the application of so many of these skills and concepts such as recognizing leadership and followership styles and making hiring choices accordingly, making ethical decisions, making decisions based on different strategies, etc.
I also have learned something that I think is key for anyone, no matter their status as a follower or a leader. On January 20th, in lecture you made the statement, “Good leaders start out as good followers.” This has really resonated with me as I contemplate hiring decisions, as well as I look at my own position at work as both a follower and a leader. I need to continue to hone my followership skills to continually grow and improve as a leader.
- Key Leadership Competencies
Cluster One: Tools for Human Interaction
- Communication: I am a full believer that there is always room for improvement, but that being said, I believe I have advanced skills in communication. I purposefully and effectively utilize communication, written, oral, and listening skills, to address the needs of my audience in my professional life. As I mentioned earlier, when my audience is made up of a large number of people, numbering in the hundreds, I must carefully consider the implications of every communication I make public. The message much be clear, concise, consistent, credible, and courteous. I strive to always communicate in a way that is true to who I am, true to the mission of my company, and in a way that will satisfy and empower my audience.
- Social and Leadership Skills: Evaluating my own leadership skills is something that is difficult because I believe that much of one's success in being a leader is determined by how he or she is perceived by his or her followers. For this reason, I will rate myself proficient in this area. I strive to apply a leadership philosophy and process in my professional and academic settings, but again, I believe I have room for improvement. Every situation brings with it a new opportunity to adjust my social and leadership skills, and to broaden my ability to reach a wider audience. Participating in our leadership groups is assisting me in expanding my skills in this area.
- Ethics: I make ethical decisions in my professional and personal and academic life every day. Interestingly, at times making these ethical decisions seem easier in my professional life than in my personal life. When they affect a greater number of people, or when I am speaking for my company as a whole, often times the decisions is easy. It often seems more difficult when making ethical decisions of a personal matter, when they seemingly only affect me or a smaller number of people. I believe I'm proficient because I have a sturdy moral framework upon which to rely.
- Global Awareness: I have had many unique opportunities to incorporate a global perspective in my professional and personal life. I grew up as an ethnic minority in San Francisco public schools, despite being a Caucasian student in The United States. Our school population and thus our culture and curriculum, was infused with a global perspective not common in many American high schools. I have traveled extensively to many different countries. I have also lived overseas and fluently speak Lithuanian. I can converse in Russian and can understand some Spanish. Language alone, however does not make one globally aware. As knowledge and sensitivity about other cultures brings about great awareness about our roles in a global sphere. I would have to say that I have advanced skills in this area due to my unique exposure to cultures, languages, and people all around the world.
Cluster Two: Tools for Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking: Critical thinking skills, I believe are some of the most valuable life skills one can acquire and hone. I feel that I am still honing these and still learning to use them in my academic and professional lives. I will rate myself proficient, though I recognize I have much to improve upon. I strive to always evaluate alternative perspectives, contexts, and the quality of evidence in making informed judgments, but this is an area I want to improve in.
- Information Literacy: I believe I am proficient in selecting and applying the most appropriate methods or information retrieval systems for accessing needed information. I am a problem solver both in my personal and professional life. I am able to take a look at problem and then quickly come up with the best system for solving the problem and enacting that system to come up with an answer or solution.
- Conclusion
I am looking forward to continuing to learn and apply knowledge and skills regarding leadership this semester since what I have learned so far has truly opened my eyes to looking at professional situations differently. As a leader, each of us has a great responsibility to take care of our own stewardship, both people and property (intellectual company property). I can tell already, halfway through this semester, that I will be able to continue to apply and greater understand the concepts I am learning both in my personal and professional life. I have goals in each of the Key Leadership Competencies to improve and be a more effective leader and follower and to more effectively fulfill leadership roles in all capacities I can.
Thank you for the opportunity and for the enlightenment each week. This course has been set up to really help us learn from real-life, as well as fictional, experiences so that we can more easily see the application of the principles and concepts in our own lives. I'm looking forward to continuing to learn. Thank you again!
Sincerely,
Emery Smith
