Introduction
Business organizations, companies, and teams can benefit a lot from effective leadership practices. The class materials have explained why every person can develop a proper leadership philosophy that has the potential to promote positive practices.
Every person in an organization can undertake various leadership roles without necessarily being monitored by his or her managers (Schoemaker, Krupp, & Howland, 2012). This practice has the potential to deliver positive results and make many companies successful. The most outstanding fact is that the class materials and exercises have changed my understanding of leadership. This essay gives a personal reflection of the competencies and skills gained from the class readings.
My New View of Strategic Leadership
Our class assignments and discussions focused on the major aspects of strategic leadership. The exercises and assignments encouraged every student to consult numerous research articles and books. The consulted articles and publications offered numerous ideas about the concept of strategic leadership. As well, the class discussions made it easier for me to acquire new competencies that can make me a successful strategic leader. The class projects and videos outlined the most appropriate processes towards addressing the major issues affecting many employees. The materials explained why leaders should always present new ideas and practices that have the potential to make their organizations successful (Ray, 2007).
Ray (2007) defines strategic leadership as “a managerial approach whereby leaders influence others positively in order to produce desirable outcomes” (p. 23). The class materials explained why strategic leaders should always use efficient tactics to communicate the best visions within their organizations.
The next move is for strategic leaders to manage and empower every follower. The staff members should also be encouraged and persuaded using the same vision. The newly-developed atmosphere becomes effective for implementing new changes. Strategic leaders should use similar ideas to establish positive organizational structures and cultures. The practice can produce quality results within the shortest time possible.
The readings have also outlined “the importance of questioning the existing status quo in an organization” (Schoemaker et al., 2012, p. 2). Strategic thinkers should use their managerial skills to challenge the assumptions of others. By so doing, they will be able to produce new views and opinions. Such views will play a positive role towards addressing the major challenges affecting the targeted organization. I have also understood the importance of being open-minded and courageous (Schoemaker et al., 2012). These concepts will make it easier for me empower different persons and promote the best practices in my team. Such practices can make many business organizations successful.
The other newly-acquired concept from the class readings is the ability to anticipate (McKnight, Kaney, & Breuer, 2010). Some leaders fail to monitor potential threats that might affect the performance of their organizations. As well, some managers find it impossible to outline the major opportunities that can improve the level of performance. The class exercises have explained why anticipation is a powerful tactic that can deliver positive results within a short period. Strategic leaders should “constantly scan the internal and external environments for signals of possible changes” (Ray, 2007, p. 76). This approach will ensure every new opportunity is seized while at the same addressing the major threats that might affect the level of profitability.
I have also understood the importance of using appropriate tools and resources whenever implement the most desirable strategies. As a strategic leader, it is appropriate to provide the best sense of direction throughout the change process (McKnight et al., 2010). Ambiguities in an organization require effective leadership models. Strategic leaders should develop the best environments in order to support every proposed change. New partnerships should also be developed in every organization. Teams in the targeted firm should also be empowered using the best skills. The approach will support every change and eventually make the company successful.
Becoming Valuable to My Organization: Actions
The skills and abilities will definitely make me a strategic leader. I now understand that strategic leadership is a powerful model that helps managers implement desirable changes and promote the best organizational structures (Bolman & Deal, 2011). That being the case, I strongly believe that I have new competencies that will support the goals of my organization. I have understood why companies should embrace the concept of teamwork. Business firms and corporations should establish strong groups that focus on different goals. I will therefore use my new skills to establish a powerful team. The team will make it easier for the organization to achieve its business goals.
After creating the team, the next stage will be to persuade my followers to develop a common vision. Every activity undertaken by the group members will focus on this vision. I will also use the concept of anticipation to identify the major opportunities and resources that can make the team successful (McKnight et al., 2010). I will use these new concepts to improve my leadership style. It will always be my duty to guide, empower, and motivate every teammate (Ray, 2007). As a team, we shall share the same vision and promote the best practices that can deliver quality results.
As a strategic leader, I will undertake different actions in order to ensure my organization achieves its business goals. I will begin by encouraging my team to formulate a powerful strategy. The idea of inclusion will be used to ensure every person is ready to deliver the best inputs. The group’s goals will also be aligned with the organization’s mission. Every activity undertaken by the group will be aimed at adding value to the organization (Schoemaker et al., 2012). The team will also be guided whenever the organization is implementing a new change. The individuals will be empowered and equipped with quality resources that can improve the level of performance (Schoemaker et al., 2012).
The next action plan will be to mentor more employees in the firm. I will achieve this goal by encouraging more workers to be aware of the company’s objectives. My strategic approach will ensure different groups share common values. The groups will be encouraged to select similar-minded leaders who can promote the most desirable practices. I will be ready to empower these leaders and encourage them to provide a sense of direction to their respective teams (Bolman & Deal, 2011). The teams will eventually focus on every organizational goal. The practice will make it easier for the company to achieve its business goals.
These contributions will be founded on the idea of ethical leadership. Ray (2007) explains why leaders should be guided by ethical notions and values. The ethical approach will promote positive beliefs, ideals, and values that can support the welfare for all. Every person in the firm will be treated with dignity and respect. I will embrace meaningful values such as charisma, honesty, and liberty (McKnight et al., 2010).
The other important thing will “to embrace the power of life-long learning” (Schoemaker et al., 2012, p. 3). The practice will make it easier for me to acquire new concepts and ideas in management. The acquired ideas will always be used to mentor more workers in the organization. I will also use the competencies to promote new practices that have the potential to support the company’s performance. I will also ensure such managerial attributes become part of my leadership philosophy. Every person in my department will be empowered to continue focusing on the organization’s business objectives (Schoemaker et al., 2012). These contributions will add value to the organization and eventually make it profitable.
It will also be appropriate for me to promote new practices that can make a huge different in the organization. This goal will be achieved by outlining a winning strategy whereby every follower will be required to focus on the best results (Schoemaker et al., 2012). I will use my strategic leadership abilities to monitor the major opportunities that can support the company’s goals. I will also use my skills to identify the major challenges that affect the performance of my organization (Ray, 2007).
The next strategic action will be to implement a powerful model that can empower more workers. The employees will be motivated using various incentives and resources. They will also be trained and equipped specific competencies in order to address the challenges affecting their teams. They will be enlightened about the targeted changes in the organization.
I will continuously focus on the best practices that can support new changes in the organization. The employees will be prepared to support the strategic goal of the organization. I will also collaborate with different organizational leaders in order to produce quality results. The leaders will also equip me with new attributes that can be replicated elsewhere. The teams will also be supported in order to support the best goals (Ray, 2007). The organizational leaders will be requested to offer new insights and ideas that can promote the most appropriate strategic processes.
Challenges Faced
Leaders encounter numerous challenges and obstacles that affect their potentials. Before undertaking this course, I used to encounter numerous barriers and obstacles thus making it impossible for me to achieve the best results (Bolman & Deal, 2011). The first challenge affecting me was the absence of a powerful leadership philosophy. I used to think that leadership was something should be undertaken by organizational managers only. This fact explains why my inputs in different teams were minimal. The malpractice made it impossible for my team to achieve its goals.
The other challenge that has continued to affect my leadership is the absence of a powerful organizational culture. The company has always focused on the best practices to achieve more profits. Unfortunately, the existing culture in the organization is not monitored or reshaped by the management.
The workers focus on their goals without having an effective guiding principle (Schoemaker et al., 2012). This scenario explains why it has been hard for me to promote the best group-work practices and values. However, I have always used my competencies to guide and empower every person in my team. Some departments in the firm lack appropriate teams. This issue affects the performance of such departments.
Many employees in our organization believe that leadership is something that should be provided by departmental supervisors and managers (Hoyk & Hersey, 2008). This weakness has made it impossible for me to implement new business models and action plans. Most of the employees focus on the guidelines presented by their leaders (Bolman & Deal, 2011). That being the case, the workers find it hard to embrace most of the ideas presented by their fellow teammates. Consequently, the concept of teamwork has lost meaning thus affecting the profitability of the organization.
I also have some personal weaknesses that affect my leadership goals. To begin with, I have been unable to manage my time in an effective manner. One of the best attributes of a successful leader is “the ability to manage time” (Hoyk & Hersey, 2008, p. 56). This weakness makes it hard for more to promote the best practices and support the changing needs of my teammates (Bolman & Deal, 2011). I am also unable to think critically. This weakness makes it impossible for me to address different issues.
Sometimes I am also unable to anticipate various changes that might improve the company’s performance. However, I have been working hard in order to improve some of these abilities. For instance, the class materials have encouraged me to become a critical thinker. The materials have explained why strategic leaders should be able to analyze different situations critically. Such leaders should also make informed decisions that can promote the best practices (Ray, 2007).
Sometimes I become opinionated whenever focusing on the needs of different followers. The malpractice makes it impossible for me to support the ideas and needs of different individuals. I now understand clearly that a strategic leader should not be opinionated especially when leading his or her followers. The leader should act intelligently and avoid being emotional. The important thing is to focus on the best organizational behaviors that can produce quality results (Hoyk & Hersey, 2008).
Most of these weaknesses and barriers to effective leadership explain why I have been unable to achieve most of my potentials. That being the case, I am planning to engage in different activities and strategies that will eventually improve my leadership abilities. Such abilities will support my current and future career objectives.
Conclusion
The class readings and exercises have outlined specific attributes that define a strategic leader. This kind of a leader uses evidence-based concepts and ideas in order to change a situation and make it more productive. The leadership strategy empowers groups and followers in an attempt to support every organizational change. The materials have therefore improved my leadership abilities. The strategic approach will make it easier for me to empower my followers.
I will also encourage them to focus on the best organizational practices (Bolman & Deal, 2011). I am also planning to address the major weaknesses that affect my leadership abilities. I will formulate a new leadership philosophy that will always be guided by evidence-based ideas. I will read new materials in order to become a successful strategic leader. The new philosophy will also support my career goals and eventually make me successful.
Reference List
Bolman, L., & Deal, T. (2011). Leading with Soul: An Uncommon Journey. Hoboken, NJ: Jossey-Bass.
Hoyk, R., & Hersey, P. (2008). The Ethical Executive: Becoming Aware of the Root Cause of Unethical Behavior. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.
McKnight, R., Kaney, T., & Breuer, S. (2010). Leading Strategy Execution. New York, NY: TrueNorth Press.
Ray, T. (2007). Strength Finders. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
Schoemaker, P., Krupp, S., & Howland, S. (2012). Strategic Leadership: The Essential Skills. Harvard Business Review, 1(1), 1-5.