The Style of a Leader

The textbook provides examples of several enormously successful business people who achieved their positions not because they were aggressively self-aggrandizing personalities, but because of their commitment to achieving organizational objectives through organizational coaching (Daft, 2012). My attainment of a score of “4” with regards to my own level of will indicates that I am likewise an individual whose principal orientation is towards my own organization’s success. I possess a quiet but fierce resolve to stay the course for the sake of achieving the group’s desired outcome and to help the group succeed. I feel personally responsible for the success of my organization and I am willing to rise above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that success. The strength of my own will is also an indication that I am on track for becoming a “level 5” leader. Ordinary people can often become excellent leaders. The necessary style of a successful leader in the contemporary business world is not the traditional ego-centric “man of action,” but one whose determination is persistent and long-suffering.

Within the realm of managerial hierarchy, I am a “level 3” personality for whom competence is the primary value and demonstrated skill. I am indeed able to organize people and resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives. I am results-oriented and my ongoing focus is on the “end-game” of my organization’s goals. I value foresight and prefer to remain focused on my organization’s overall purpose in terms of ultimate ambitions. I understand the necessity of avoiding distractions or becoming sidetracked in such a way that secondary concerns begin to eclipse the “big picture” on which I must remain focused. As a manager, I am oriented towards motivating my subordinates towards the obtainment of those skills and commitments which are necessary for the success of the organization as a whole and towards assisting them in cultivating those skills.

The five verbs that best describe my character and ability as a supportive leader are to advise, assist, coordinate, initiate, and lead. Once again, this descriptive outlook illustrates my preference for operating not as a distinctive individual personality but as someone with the dedication and drive to achieve the collective ambitions of my organization. As Jack Welch observed, the successful leader is focused on his team and not on himself. As the leader, it is my responsibility to advise those in my charge as they strive to carry out their duties to the organization more effectively and to assist them in their efforts. Beyond the responsibility of helping individual team members to cultivate their skills, it is also my duty to coordinate their respective efforts and ensure all the component parts of my organization are functioning as part of a harmonious whole. Additionally, it is my responsibility to initiate the activities that my organization will be pursuing for the sake of obtaining its goals and to lead my team members towards that end. 

My leadership abilities are exhibited by my own preference for being in control of a situation and this preference is enhanced by most own highly dominant personality. I am able to lead through assertiveness and initiatory zeal. Yet my own propensity towards dominance does not mean that I am an arrogant or overbearing individual. My domineering mode is tempered by my capability of exhibiting personal warmth and maintaining a high level of sociability. 

The personal qualities that I exhibit do indeed reflect those of the kind of leader I wish to become. I understand that to become successful in the world of the twenty-first century, one must possess the skills of determination, a strong orientation towards results, a commitment to organizational ambitions, and the ability to motivate others. I am a driven person but I am not egotistical. I am incredibly committed to success but I am a team player. I have the style of a leader who is headed for success in the world as it is today. That is who I am.

Reference

Daft, Richard L. (2012). Management. 10th ed. Nashville, Tennessee: Vanderbilt University Press.