You are a manager in a large company, and you are assigned to a mentor. Your mentor is very excited that you are taking this particular course and has therefore asked you to develop and share your own personal theory of leadership. Your mentor wants to make sure that your personal development is grounded in theory and practice and so has asked you to first demonstrate the foundation of your leadership approach. To do this, you will choose three theories—a combination of classic and contemporary—that you have studied in this course, in addition to selecting three leaders who exemplify your chosen theories. You will analyze each theory for its strengths and weaknesses and evaluate the leaders you have identified in relation to those theories. You will also identify and discuss three leaders who are anti-exemplary, as they will be used in the analysis portion of your project (shown in section II. C. below).
use the concepts and lessons from this part of the final project to inform the second part, in which you apply the theories to an organization and articulate your personal leadership philosophy.
I. Introduction
Introduce your three chosen theories and three chosen leaders that you identified, which align with those chosen theories. Be sure to provide a brief explanation of why you have selected these in particular. How do they apply to your personal leadership style or the development of one?
II. Analysis of Established Theories
A. Theories Review
- Summarize the major principles of the chosen theories and the potential impact on empowerment and emotional intelligence.
Explain how these major principles look through the lenses of those in the roles of power and influence in an organization.
B. Theories Critique
- Analyze the strengths of the three theories and their potential impacts on the individuals, groups, and organizational levels.
Full Answer Section
- Transformational Leadership: The visionary spirit of Transformational Leadership, championed by Bernard Bass and James MacGregor Burns, deeply resonates with me. Their idea of inspiring followers to transcend their own interests and pursue a shared, ambitious vision resonates with my belief in collective progress and exceeding expectations. Leaders like Nelson Mandela, who unified a nation under a banner of hope and reconciliation, and Satya Nadella, who transformed Microsoft with a renewed focus on innovation and inclusivity, embody the power of this theory. While the potential downside of over-reliance on charismatic leadership can be acknowledged, I find the emphasis on purpose, inspiration, and intellectual stimulation aligns with my desire to empower and uplift those around me.
- Servant Leadership: The concept of Servant Leadership, as presented by Robert Greenleaf, resonates with my deep-seated value of service and humility. The idea that leaders prioritize serving the needs of their followers before their own resonates with my belief in nurturing the potential of others and fostering collaborative success. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, who led India's independence movement through nonviolent resistance and empowered his followers to take ownership, and Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the poorest and most vulnerable, exemplify the true essence of this theory. While potential criticisms may suggest a risk of compromising personal needs, I find the emphasis on empathy, service, and shared decision-making aligns with my desire to build trust and cultivate a collaborative environment.
- Emotional Intelligence: Daniel Goleman's framework of Emotional Intelligence forms a crucial pillar of my leadership vision. His concept of understanding and managing one's own emotions, as well as recognizing and responding effectively to the emotions of others, resonates with my belief in self-awareness, empathy, and building strong relationships. Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg, who navigated the challenges of corporate leadership with emotional intelligence and grace, and Indra Nooyi, who brought a collaborative and empathetic approach to her leadership at PepsiCo, embody the impact of emotional intelligence. While some may argue that over-reliance on emotions can impede decisive action, I find the emphasis on self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication aligns with my desire to create a psychologically safe and supportive environment for my team.
Choosing these three theories and leaders is not merely an intellectual exercise. It reflects my core values – vision, service, and emotional intelligence – that I aspire to integrate into my leadership style. I believe that combining these elements offers a comprehensive and balanced approach to leadership, fostering inspiration, collaboration, and high performance.
These initial insights form the foundation upon which I will construct my personal leadership philosophy in the next stage of this journey. By applying these theories to a specific organizational context and analyzing the leadership styles of exemplary and anti-exemplary figures, I hope to further refine my approach and articulate a leadership philosophy that is authentic, impactful, and true to my values.
This exploration has been incredibly enriching, opening my eyes to the power of diverse leadership perspectives and inspiring me to craft my own path. I am excited to delve deeper, learn from my mentor, and continue building a leadership philosophy that empowers myself and others to achieve extraordinary things.
Sample Answer
Being assigned a mentor and embarking on this leadership development journey has ignited a fire within me to explore and define my own personal leadership philosophy. To build a strong foundation, I've delved into a diverse range of classic and contemporary leadership theories, identifying three that particularly resonate with my aspirations and emerging style: Transformational Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Emotional Intelligence.