Keys to becoming a well rounded leader

Personality

12/10/2013

 
 Personality is defined as "the set of emotional qualities, ways of behaving, etc., that makes a person different from other people"(Mirriam-Webster, 2013).

Countless studies on personality traits, such as Jung's theory of the Introvert and Extrovert help distinguish common traits we share and what this means about us.

Understanding your own personality traits and type, can help form the type of leader you want to become.

The following site provides a free personality test!

http://www.learnmyself.com/




"Personality." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 9 Dec. 2013. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/personality

Learning Style

12/10/2013

 
Learning style is the way  in which we best learn and gather new information. Everyone is usually a mix of a few learning styles. The 7 learning styles include:

Visual - prefer using images in learning.

Aural - prefer using sound or music.

Verbal - prefer to use words and speech.

Physical- prefer to use body and movement.

Logical- prefer mathematical and logic learning.

Social- prefer to learn in groups with others.

Solitary - prefer to learn on their own.
The following site includes a learning style test!

http://www.acceleratedlearning.com/method/test_flash.html




Overview of Learning Styles Retrieved from  http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/





Goal Setting

12/10/2013

 
Goal setting helps us organize what we want in the future and helps motivate us to get them accomplished.

The S.M.A.R.T Goals list was developed to help formulate our goals properly:
The following worksheet is a great way to develop S.M.A.R.T goals:

http://www.uwlax.edu/hr/current/idp/Smart%20Goal%20Worksheet.pdf

Group Work and Roles

12/10/2013

 

Groups can be of various sizes - large or  small. They are also formed as - assigned groups or created groups.
Group work can maximize productivity and is an effective way of getting a project or task completed.
In order to work effectively in groups and become a better leader, the many group roles need to be understood.

Some key group roles include:

The leader

The monitor

Time/Note keeper

Devil's advocate

The following site provides a test on assessing your team-working skills:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/sk/teamwork.htm




Group roles: Maximizing Group Performance. Retrieved from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/developing-assignments/group-work/group-roles-maximizing-group-performance



Communication

12/10/2013

 
Communication is an important aspect of leadership. An aggressive and complicated approach to communication will never have a positive outcome.
Key components of positive communication are to be assertive but respectful, clear and concise.


The following website from Forbes magazine titled "5 Habits of Effective Communicators' highlights how great leaders make great communicators.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/susantardanico/2012/11/29/5-habits-of-highly-effective-communicators/



Human Behaviour

12/10/2013

 
Human behaviour plays a great part in how we act as leaders. The way others see us, according to our behaviour, helps establish a trust.

Human needs, as studied by Abraham Maslow, are a powerful motivator and influence human behaviour.
Maslow felt that human needs were arranged in a hierarchical order that could be divided into two major groups: basic needs and metaneeds.
In the hierarchy pyramid, we see that the basic needs need to be  met before the metaneeds be met

Picture
  • 8. Self-transcendence — a transegoic level that emphasizes visionary intuition, altruism, and unity consciousness.
  • 7. Self-actualization — know exactly who you are, where you are going, and what you want to accomplish. A state of well-being.
  • 6. Aesthetic — to do things not simply for the outcome but because it's the reason you are here on earth — at peace, more curious about the inner workings of all things.
  • 5. Cognitive — to be free of the good opinion of others — learning for learning alone, contribute knowledge.
  • 4. Esteem — feeling of moving up in world, recognition, few doubts about self.
  • 3. Belongingness and love — belong to a group, close friends to confide with.
  • 2. Safety — feel free from immediate danger.
  • 1. Physiological — food, water, shelter, sex.

    • Leadership Theories and Styles

    12/10/2013

     

    What makes a great leader? Are leadership traits inherent or learned? Many leadership theories and styles have been created to best answer these questions, however I believe everyone is capable of being a leader.

    1. Great Man Theory - this view states that leaders are "born to lead" with inherent characteristics 
    2. Trait Theory - this view states that leaders are born with distinct leadership traits that are shared by many great leaders.
    3. Situational Theory - this view states that leaders choose the best course of action according to the situation that is proposed.
    4. Behavioural Theory - this view states that great leaders are made, through learned techniques.
    5. Participative Theory - this view states that the best type of leadership takes into account the input of others.  
    6. Management Theory - this view states that best type of leadership is supervised and organized, with rewards and punishments.
    7. Relationship Theory - this view states that the relationship between leaders and members of the group motivates and inspires the group to perform better.
    8. Role Theory - this theory states that knowing ones role, leader or follower, or any member of a given group helps to accomplish any task given more efficiently
    The following link takes a look at a few leadership styles represented by some famous well known leaders.

    http://infographichef.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/7-Leadership-Styles-01.png

    Motivation

    12/10/2013

     
    Picture
    Motivation is our drive to get things completed, whether a task or personal goal. Our needs are major motivators as seen in Maslow's hierarchy, but rewards, whether internal or external, are also major motivators.

    Intrinsic Motivation theory - The drive to do things for internal reasons, for the fun of it or because we believe it is the right things to do.

    Extrinsic Motivation theory - The drive to do things for external factors and tangible rewards.

    As a leader it is important to understand the motivators of the many people we work with. The following website highlights the many possible theories of motivation

    http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/a_motivation.htm




    Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/explanations/theories/extrinsic_motivation.htm

    Importance of Work/Life Balance

    12/10/2013

     
    The balance between work and life is incredibly important. Being able to set time aside from our careers to focus on family and our personal lives is important for our bodies, minds, social and family life.

    Having a proper work/life balance gives us time to relax and unwind before getting back to work with a fresh perspective.

    Tips for creating a work/life balance can be found at the following website:

    http://www.webmd.com/health-insurance/protect-health-13/balance-life

    Leader vs. Manager

    12/10/2013

     
    The primary difference between leaders and managers can be seen in the photo above.

    A manager focuses on controlling the outcome where as the leader aids and motivates:

    Managers have subordinates

    Managers use the transactional style of leadership, telling others what to do and they do it for their promised rewards.

    Leaders have followers

    Leaders use the transformational style of leadership, motivating and inspiring others to do the work needed to be done not only for extrinsic rewards but for intrinsic rewards as well.

    I believe being a great leader means knowing how to balance the two styles of leadership and knowing when to help motivate others during a project and when to be a manager and control the project.




    Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/disciplines/leadership/articles/manager_leader.htm