I make every attempt to live by numerous
core values that I have tried to continuously improve through experience. Sometimes we think we have things figured out
until we experience something that changes our perspective. Conversely, some people are fixated on their
ideas, values, and beliefs that no matter what they experience they refuse to
make changes. One thing is for sure, we
all have our differences. However, not
only does this make us human, but these differences can also make us better
leaders. For example, regarding
leadership and recognizing our differences, “effective leaders keep working at
this art. They develop a close
understanding of their differences. In
particular they become aware of what is different about them that makes them
attractive to others. They learn to use
these differences to their advantage in a leadership role” (Goffee & Jones,
2006, p. 32).
Experiences, environment, traits, people
and many other things shape who we are and how we choose to interact
professionally and in everyday life. It
is vital for us to be aware of all of these things to continually grow as
better people and better leaders. One of
my core values is to treat people the way I want to be treated. I am a believer that when you take care of
people, they will take care of you.
Another core value I try to live by is to remain positive through the
most difficult times and when odds are against me. These core values reflect an authentic
leadership style that focuses on the welfare and development of followers. “Authentic leaders have positive core values
such as honesty, altruism, kindness, fairness, accountability, and
optimism. These core values motivate
authentic leaders to do what is right and fair for followers, and to create a
special type of relationship that includes high mutual trust, transparency, guidance
toward worthy shared objectives, and emphasis on follower welfare and
development” (Yukl, 2013, p. 351).
Through my evolution of self-awareness
I have recognized I exhibit high levels of empathy, adaptability, availability,
and a great ability to communicate. I
have learned how to use what I consider differences (since not all people
possess these attributes) to my advantage in leadership roles. I have had many situations as a leader in
which individuals came to me for advice or assistance with personal, family, or
medical problems. I was always
empathetic to them and their situation.
Being empathetic paid off because when I really needed these individuals
to assist me with a complex work problem, they remembered how I did what I
could to help them. Some people can only
be successful in a specific comfort zone and have trouble adapting to change. My adaptability has been valuable because I
have learned how to make adjustments to be successful in various situations and
environments. I am a firm believer that availability
is a primary component to a leader-follower relationship. Being available to assist followers builds a
strong trust so followers want to do great things. I know firsthand how awful it feels to want
assistance from a perceived leader, only to find out they are unreachable. That situation only decreases enthusiasm,
faith, and trust towards the leader and possibly an organization. As a leader, the ability to communicate is
essential in being successful. I have
always been able to adapt to individuals and groups and find a way to clearly
communicate expectations, ideas, and tasks.
Not much can be accomplished if a leader fails at communicating. I will continue to try and improve at
perfecting the art of self-awareness.
This will only lead to the development of my core values and the
betterment of follower welfare.
References:
Goffee, R., & Jones, G. (2006). Getting personal on the topic of
leadership. Human Resource Management International Digest, 14 (4), 32-34.
Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership
in organizations (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice
Hall
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