{"id":194,"date":"2018-10-21T21:26:38","date_gmt":"2018-10-21T21:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/create.twu.ca\/ccbeau\/?p=194"},"modified":"2018-10-21T21:26:38","modified_gmt":"2018-10-21T21:26:38","slug":"learning-activity-2-unit-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/create.twu.ca\/ccbeau\/2018\/10\/21\/learning-activity-2-unit-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Activity 2 – Unit 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emotional Intelligence<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

According to Northouse (2017), emotional intelligence is the interplay between our emotions and cognitive processes, meaning an individual\u2019s ability to understand emotions (Northouse, 2017: p. 28). Since humans are emotional creatures, it is crucial for a leader to express emotions, and use emotions in thinking, leading, and acting. Leaders must manage not only their own emotions but also other\u2019s emotions, which becomes interconnected with the psychodynamic approach.<\/p>\n

The Psychodynamics Approach<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Psychodynamics can be related to emotional intelligence because both are trying to understand emotions that drive behaviour. The psychodynamics approach intends to gain insights into followers that an individual is leading so that the leader understands what unconscious thoughts are compelling an individual to act in a certain way and to assist in further self-development. Furthermore, it can be insightful to understand the psychological makeup of followers to determine how the leader can motivate and serve the followers more effectively. Psychodynamics self-awareness is useful because it is empowering for a leader to be aware of their own psychological makeup and what unconscious thought processes may be driving behaviour, values, emotions, decisions, and motives (Northouse, 2017: p. 203). In my experience, sometimes employers require interviewees to take personality tests to determine whether they would be a good fit for the organization. For example, while applying for a marketing job, I was required to take the KOLBE personality test. I have also sought self-awareness by taking the Myers Briggs personality test to further understand what sorts of characteristics drive my behaviour. This self-awareness allows me to play to my strengths and become aware of my faults.<\/p>\n

Servant Leadership<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Awareness is also an important factor in servant leadership as it is important for a leader to be aware of how he or she can better serve followers (Spears, 2000). In this sphere, it is followers-oriented. Servant leadership means that the hierarchical pyramid in inverted, meaning that the leader puts the interests of followers ahead of self-interest motives (Kuzmenko, Montagno, Muncie, & Smith, 2004: p. 80). The leader focuses on self-development and empowerment of followers (Kuzmenko, 2004: p.81).<\/p>\n

Southwest is a success story of an airline company that effectively embodies servant leadership by making employees their top priority. In an interview with Colleen Barrett, she explains the company\u2019s servant leadership philosophy: management believes that if employees feel valued and important, they will go out of their way to create an extraordinary experience for passengers and then success will be sure to follow (KnowledgeAtWharton, 2008). Customers that have an enjoyable flight are likely to share their positive experience with others and become repeat customers themselves. Colleen believes in treating all employees equally, regardless of a title or level of seniority in the company (KnowledgeAtWharton, 2008).<\/p>\n

Servant leadership has elements of transformational leadership, whereby the leader seeks to change people by assessing followers\u2019 needs, emotions, values, and ethics (Northouse, 2017: 163). Similar to Southwest\u2019s philosophy, transformational leadership seeks to treat followers as equal human beings. If a leader can embody these four characteristics of transformational leadership, he or she will likely earn the right to Maxwell\u2019s 4th<\/sup> level of effective leadership, meaning the leader has gained loyalty from followers (Leadership, 2015). The followers credit their leader for what he or she has done for them. In order to get to the 5th<\/sup> level of leadership, followers need to respect who<\/em> the leader is and what<\/em> they stand for. This requires the leader to have strong sense of self-awareness. Maxwell argues that if the leader can do the first 4 levels of leadership effectively, then followers will give the leader the 5th<\/sup> level. Transformational leadership connects with people, produces results for the organization, and harnesses the ability to grow and train followers. However, only being self-aware is not enough, a servant leader must be aware of the followers\u2019 interest and furthermore, prioritize their interest. Only then, will followers go above and beyond what is required of them.<\/p>\n

Christina<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

References<\/p>\n

KnowledgeAtWharton. (2008, July 09). Southwest Airlines\u2019 Colleen Barrett on \u2018Servant Leadership\u2019. Retrieved October 21, 2018, from\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=6TgR95vnM0<\/p>\n

Maxwell, J. (2015, Aug 30). John Maxwell 5 Levels of Leadership Full Video. Retrieved October 21, 2018, from\u00a0https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=oe6XacmIZms<\/p>\n

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: theory and practice<\/em> (Eighth ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.<\/p>\n

Searle, T.P. and Barbuto, J.E. (2011). Servant Leadership, Hope, and Organizational Virtuousness: A Framework Exploring Positive Micro and Macro Behaviors and Performance Impact. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies 18(1), 107-117. [Library Link; sign-in required](https:\/\/ezproxy.student.twu.ca\/login?url=http:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/1548051810383863)<\/p>\n

Smith, B.N., Montagno, R.V. and Kuzmenko, T.N. (2004). Transformational and servant leadership: Content and contextual comparisons. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies 10(4), 80-92. [Library Link; sign-in required](https:\/\/ezproxy.student.twu.ca\/login?url=http:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1177\/107179190401000406)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Emotional Intelligence According to Northouse (2017), emotional intelligence is the interplay between our emotions and cognitive processes, meaning an individual\u2019s ability to understand emotions (Northouse, 2017: p. 28). Since humans are emotional creatures, it is crucial for a leader to express emotions, and use emotions in thinking, leading, and acting. Leaders must manage not only … <\/p>\n

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