I think I am right to be proud of these accomplishments. Through extensive reorganization, I have restored efficiency to broken office systems and that was great for the business and for the staff members. I set in place processes that encouraged others to act and I modeled the way in the sense that I dug right in alongside everyone else to implement the changes. However, reflecting on those specific instances through the lens of this course, I know that I could have challenged the process in a way that would have incorporated more fully all of the five leadership practices. For example, I did not adequately share my vision for the reorganization. I unilaterally implemented my reorganization plan. I also did not put much effort into encouraging the heart of my team members. I am good at recognizing individual contributions and celebrating the small victories but I can do a better job. From this point on, I will focus on finding creative ways that not only celebrate accomplishments but also personalize recognition for a job well done. I tend to ignore the personal relationship aspect of leadership and seldom get close enough to people, or open up to people, in ways that invite personal connections. I will work on correcting this behavior by increasing self-awareness of what motivates my decision-making, and by being more aware of my current propensity of personally closing myself off to others. In this way, I hope to become a leader more personally connected with the team, and one who leads from a position of humility rather than from one of authority. (Kouzes and Posner, 2012, pp.285-291), (Duren, Lec.
I think I am right to be proud of these accomplishments. Through extensive reorganization, I have restored efficiency to broken office systems and that was great for the business and for the staff members. I set in place processes that encouraged others to act and I modeled the way in the sense that I dug right in alongside everyone else to implement the changes. However, reflecting on those specific instances through the lens of this course, I know that I could have challenged the process in a way that would have incorporated more fully all of the five leadership practices. For example, I did not adequately share my vision for the reorganization. I unilaterally implemented my reorganization plan. I also did not put much effort into encouraging the heart of my team members. I am good at recognizing individual contributions and celebrating the small victories but I can do a better job. From this point on, I will focus on finding creative ways that not only celebrate accomplishments but also personalize recognition for a job well done. I tend to ignore the personal relationship aspect of leadership and seldom get close enough to people, or open up to people, in ways that invite personal connections. I will work on correcting this behavior by increasing self-awareness of what motivates my decision-making, and by being more aware of my current propensity of personally closing myself off to others. In this way, I hope to become a leader more personally connected with the team, and one who leads from a position of humility rather than from one of authority. (Kouzes and Posner, 2012, pp.285-291), (Duren, Lec.