Reflection |
When I first joined PL, I had a relatively shallow understanding of leadership. I believed that it was just a trait that showed you are outgoing and you could control others. It obviously is not as simple as that. I have learned that their are many various factors that play into what makes a good leader. However, whatever defines a good leader may be different to everyone or different in certain circumstances. That is why I have found it especially interesting to learn about different types of leadership styles and how I might fit into a respective style. While it may not be as straightforward as I thought it was, studying leadership has made me more confident in my own abilities and I hope to continue to strengthen my leadership skills.
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As for my own leadership style, some strengths that I have are passion, communication, and understanding of others. I would currently describe myself as a transformational leader. I am very passionate when working with others and I ensure that everyone is on the same page. As a result, people are able to coordinate well with each other since they are all aware of the main goal.
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My Leadership Style |
Artifact #1: Leadership Philosophy
This paper was one that was extremely important to me as it helped shape my passion for leadership today. I wrote about my old wrestling coach and how he exemplified a good leader. It was one of the first times I got to see a strong leader in action and most notably, I could reflect on his actions and why it had such a large impact on my drive and passion as a wrestler.
Artifact #2: Guns on Campus
This was one of my earlier papers where I spoke about my thoughts on concealed carry on campus. There is no doubt that gun control is a major topic in the United States and yet, at the time, I never had strong opinions about it. However, as I conducted more research, I began to formulate my own opinions. This was crucial for me because it marked when I began to become more involved in current events and I started to recognize my own voice so that I could advocate for the principles I believe in.
Artifact #3: Pick a Leader
This assignment was particularly enjoyable as it was fascinating to analyze such a large figure. Regardless of Jess Bezos's reputation, he certainly is an amazing leader; a major reason for his success is because of the important leadership attributes he has. Furthermore, this was interesting to me as I am studying business so it was a clear example of how I could translate leadership to my future career.
Leadership Outside the Classroom
While I do not currently hold a formal leadership position, I was able to put some of leadership skills to work during my job at Gong Cha, a bubble tea store. I was one of the very first workers at a brand new location. Once more people were hired, I was given the responsibility to teach others and lead the shifts. Two important factors that I learned while leading others was patience and communication. There were times where it was somewhat frustrating when a co-worker may mess up a drink and or if someone did not remember a recipe when they should. While this occurred occasionally, I knew that it was best to be patient at the time and try to compensate for the hiccups. If someone feels that they have made a large mistake, it can cause the entire work atmosphere to be diminished and cause additional problems. Furthermore, in times where it was super busy, communication is key as it can make the whole process more efficient. Being clear and concise allows so that there is a transfer of information at a fast rate; this is incredibly important as the orders are really easy to mix up when they are backed up. Overall, I had a blast while working at Gong Cha and I am glad that I was able further developed my leadership skills of patience and communication.