Month: October 2017

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Unit 2, learning activity 3

I felt as though the results of these surveys are mostly accurate. I consider myself to be trustworthy, dependable, empathetic, friendly as well as sensitive. All participants strongly agreed that I portray these qualities. The participants informed me that they found it very easy to reflect on who I am and they felt that they were able to accurately answer the survey. In the categories of self-confident and self-assured, I ranked myself lower than the participants did. I feel that sometimes I hide things from other people and I believe that is why I ranked myself lower in these categories. Overall, I found that my friends and colleagues responses were expected. I was not shocked by any of the information they gave.

I am not surprised that my human skills score is the highest. I am confident in working with other people to achieve a goal. I also consider this to be the part of leadership that I enjoy the most. My technical and conceptual scores were a tie. I enjoy conceptual and technical work, however, I feel like I can definitely improve in these areas.

In the style questionnaire, I was slightly surprised by the results. My task score is higher than my relationship score. I would’ve expected a high relationship score and a lower task score. I believe that I am better at providing support and encouragement and that I am an excellent listener, rather than someone who is good at telling people what to do and spelling out their roles.

I am interested to pay more attention to this in future situations and to reflect further on what kind of leadership style I portray.

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Learning Activity 5: Blog Post 3

Northouse (2017) suggests several behaviours that are the central focus of servant leadership.

One of these behaviours is putting followers first. This includes placing followers’ interests and success ahead of those of the leader (Northouse, 2017). In my own experience, I can recall a time when I experienced this. In my first year of teaching, I was nominated for a teaching excellence award. There were 8 nominees from our local area. Together, we attended a banquet. Each nominee made a speech and was given the opportunity to sell themselves to be the winner of the award. I remember the feeling of success that I experienced for even being nominated. After all of the speeches had been made, I started to reflect on the things that I had heard. At that moment I truly felt like another candidate would be a better choice for the winner of the award. The superintendent of our school board asked me how I felt about all the candidates. I was truthful and told her that I felt honored to have been nominated but that I felt that there was a more deserving candidate. This is an example of putting the success of colleagues ahead of my own interests and success, which Northouse (2017) suggests as a behaviour of servant leadership.

The second principle I would like to comment on is creating value for the community. I take a great deal of  pride in giving back to the community that gave so much to me. I volunteer as much as I possibly can. I also try to instill these values in the children that I teach. For example, my class has done fundraisers towards our local food bank, a fundraiser for a poor community in Mexico, gift baskets for elderly people at Christmas time and other activities that give back to our community. Last year, my class collaborated with other youth to create a mural that would be donated to the town to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

As I reflect on which principles will be challenging for me to consistently realize in my own practice, I am first drawn to empowerment. I have a difficult time allowing others to have control and the freedom to be independent (Northouse, 2017). I prefer to give a set of clear instructions and expectations towards achieving a common goal. Although I prefer to give and set guidelines, I am not opposed to accepting other people’s ideas or actions, as long as they are justifiable.

How do you allow people to have freedom and independence while still accomplishing a common goal? Can you provide specific examples?

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Learning Activity 4: Blog Post 2

According to Northouse (2017), some people are leaders because they hold a position of formality while other people become leaders because of the way that others respond to them. An example of this can be seen in the school in which I work. Our division was seeking to hire a principal for the current school year. The superintendent and the assistant superintendent looked at the employees in our school. They recognized people who demonstrated leadership qualities and recognized that these individuals are emergent leaders. These people were encouraged to apply for the position.At the same time, the division searched among people who were looking for a job and who had applied. One of these people was the successful candidate for the job. She is an assigned leader. Northouse (2017) suggests that an assigned leader is someone who is a team leader, plant manager, department head, director or an administrator. The principal of our school has been assigned a formal position and is therefore an assigned leader.

In 2016, I experienced emergent leadership. The school was seeking an individual who demonstrated Catholic leadership qualities who would take on the role of being the religious education coordinator for our school. The administrative staff spoke with other staff members and it became clear that I would be an exceptional candidate to fill the roll. Northouse (2017) describes emergent leaders as people who are not assigned a position of leadership, but rather emerge over a period of time through communication.

Although leadership and management are different, they are two concepts that overlap. (Northouse, 2017) As outlined by Northouse (2017), the essential activities of a manager include planning and budgeting, organizing and staffing, as well as controlling and problem solving. The essential activities of a leader include establishing direction, aligning people and motivating and inspiring. (Northouse, 2017) Managers and leaders can effectively play out these tasks by working together to encourage, inspire and motivate a group of people to effectively accomplish a common goal. (Northouse, 2017)

In order for an organization to prosper, I believe that the most effective approaches to leadership and management include effective planning and budgeting, controlling and problem solving, aligning people together and motivating and inspiring people. (Northouse, 2017) I believe that a person who wants to be effective in a management position must demonstrate strong leadership qualities.

Northouse 2017 states that there are clear differences between management and leadership but these two concepts overlap. A question that I have for further discussion is whether a person who exhibits exceptional management qualities can learn effective leadership skills or are effective leadership skills something that are inherent personality traits.

Northouse, P. (2017). Leadership: Theory and Practice.

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Follow The Leader

The leader that I chose to follow for this assignment is Michelle Obama (twitter page: https://twitter.com/MichelleObama.)

Michelle Obama is a well-recognized leader in the world. She is known for promoting healthy eating and encouraging people to change eating habits with the goal of minimizing the obesity crisis in the US. She stands for military families and is an advocate for women in working families. It is clear that Michelle takes pride in setting a good example for others and she strives to be a positive role model in the lives of many.

 

Michelle’s beliefs, values and leadership qualities are inspirational for me. Northouse states that “Leadership occurs in groups. Groups are the context in which leadership takes place. Leadership involves influencing a group of individuals who have a common purpose. This can be a small task group, a community group, or a large group encompassing an entire organization.”

 

I am particularly inspired by Michelle’s ‘Let’s Move’ organization. Michelle Obama is an advocate for healthy eating. She encourages people in the US, especially youth to take care of their bodies through healthy lifestyle choices. This is something that resonates with me as I am also an advocate for healthy lifestyles. Obesity is something that I have struggled with my entire life. In the last 5 years of my life, I have battled to overcome this obstacle and I believe I have won. As someone who has been there, I know how serious it is. I feel inspired by Michelle as I too strive to inspire others to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle. In my teaching career, I am only required to teach minimal amounts of health curriculum throughout the week, however it is something that I consciously try to teach every single day through modeling good behaviour and by encouraging students to make better choices.


In one of her final speeches as First Lady, Michelle stated, “I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. So don’t be afraid. You hear me, young people? Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourself with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope; never fear.” https://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592

 

This is something that inspires me in my teaching career. I continuously try to lead my students by setting a good example. Eating healthy, practicing my faith journey, working hard, being kind and dedicating my free time to the betterment of other people. I endeavour to help others who are less fortunate than I and I make my strongest attempt to encourage others to do the same.

 

On January 13, 2017, Obama made her final speech as First lady at the White House, saying “being your first lady has been the greatest honor of my life and I hope I’ve made you proud.” https://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592

 

This is something that I live by. I want to make others proud, to provide meaningful impact to those around me, especially my students. I want to encourage them to be good people in the world, to live with kindness in their hearts and to achieve their fullest potential.

 

Her dedication to current social issues makes her a more respected leader.  She address issues that people can agree on on both sides of the political spectrum. (poverty, racism, gender inequalities, etc..) She encourages people to work together toward a common goal. This is exactly what Northouse suggests in leadership.

 

I am inspired by Michelle’s dedication to making meaningful impact in the world, especially towards our youth who are the future of the world.

 

I feel that Michelle is an effective leader and speaker. If I could give her advice it would be to take her movements even further. Target more people who are at risk for obesity. Find ways to have even more followers on social media and to post more about the actions she is taking towards leading groups to common goals.  

 

https://www.biography.com/people/michelle-obama-307592