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Leadership Development. Philosophy Statement
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Leadership Development: Philosophy Statement
Successful leaders are those who hold deep outlooks on their roles as leaders. Studies on leadership development illustrate that a leader’s attitudes and beliefs regarding leadership determines their success as a leader. Accordingly, leaders are required to develop a philosophy statement, which they will employ in their leadership activities and programs. In the field of leadership development, the term, philosophy statement, refers to a personal analysis of crucial assumptions and beliefs regarding leadership. Subsequently, these assumptions are what leaders employ in their respective institution for the success of their operational activities.
This paper presents a personal philosophy statement. The first section of the paper provides the actual philosophy statement of beliefs, whereas the second section presents a justification and explanations of these beliefs.
Philosophy Statement of Beliefs
Not everyone can be a leader, and for that reason, I believe that good leader is a unique individual who believes in stepping up the plate and taking on leadership roles. A good leader believes in instilling a sense of direction in others, so as to show his team members what needs to be done and why (Daft and Lane 1-493). A good leader is one who is confident in what he or she does. He believes that his projects have some significance to his institution and will focus on the best interest of the institution, as well as, his team members. A good leader is also one who believes in organization and order. Good leaders ensure that all their activities and projects, no matter how small they are, are orderly and purposeful. Good leaders are also those individuals who display composure and tolerance in during uncertainty (Daft and Lane 1-493). This is closely related to confidence, and they do not let their emotions get in the way of their work and what they believe in. Good leaders are also focused on the tasks of the organization, as well as, their roles as leaders in the performance of these tasks. They do not lag behind and wait for others to complete their assignments for them and instead they remain focused on the task at hand. Relevantly, good leaders are committed to excellence (Daft and Lane 1-493). They lay emphasis of maintaining high standards in what they do, and they work towards the achievement of excellence at all times. Conclusively, I believe that good leadership is primarily about taking initiative and assuming responsibility for work done in a team setting. Good leaders do not shy away from taking a lead, and is not afraid of being held responsible for work done by others.
Justification and Explanations
Listing personal attitudes and beliefs about good leaders and leadership is not enough to convince individuals on one’s philosophy and statement. For that reason, there is needed to provide a justification or rationale for what is presented in the listing of the philosophy statement. As previously mentioned, I believe that there are several attributes of good leaders and leadership including, confidence, organization and order, composure and tolerance, focus, commitment to excellence, responsibility, and taking initiative. The rationale and justification for these attributes are provided below.
Confidence
The position of leadership requires constant self-assurance, and for that reason, good leaders are inherently confident. If one is to take into consideration the many leaders who exist in society today, then they notice that most of these leaders are highly confident in themselves and their work. Confidence is what draws people to their leaders (Daft and Lane 1-493). This is because a leader’s confidence gives his team members the assurance that they are in good hands with such a leader. In essence, a leaders confidence gives his followers the confidence that what is being done ill yield good results (Daft and Lane 1-493). For a leader to set direction for his team members, he or she needs to appear as confident in his respective leadership role. A leader’s confidence motivates his followers into performing their duties. A confident leader inspires confidence in his followers and draws out the best efforts in these individuals. Such a person also encourages trust between his followers and himself, as well as, among his followers, thus ensuring that the work gets done in time. Leadership demands confidence because a confident leader suggests resilience in proposed objectives, hence, inspiring the greatest team member efforts.
Organization and Order
Good leadership demands organization and order. This is because unlike other positions, the leadership position demands that all activities be organized and systemized at all times (Daft and Lane 1-493). All institutional settings require that particular tasks be carried out for the achievement of organizational goals and objectives. Because of the multifaceted nature of operations, individuals in these institutions take up different roles so as to ensure that the organization meets it goals and objectives. The leaders role, in such a case revolves around the planning and organization of activities and tasks to be taken on by his team members. For that reason, the leader needs to ensure that there is organization and order in his particular institution of the organization is to achieve the desired objective. A good leader needs to function orderly, and purposefully, so as to ensure that his team members are performing their tasks as expected. He needs to organize the teams in accordance with their tasks, as well as, give orders on what should and should not be done with relation to organizational goals and objectives. A leaders success is determined by the way in which he ensures organization and order in the tasks, as well as, team members. Leadership requires organization and order because carrying out tasks is hard and complex, and for that reason demands the best performance of duties and responsibility, which is only attainable through proper planning and organization.
Composed and Tolerant of Ambiguity
As mentioned earlier, good leaders are those individuals who are highly tolerant of uncertainty in their respective workplaces (Daft and Lane 1-493). The nature of work is that it experiences constant change at almost all time. Various unexpected events can occur during the course of work, most of which catch the people involved by surprise. Because no one can predict the things that can happen during the performance of work, there is need for the assurance of composure in the face of changes in the institutional setting. Evidently, most of the unexpected changes in an organization are negative and they end up affecting the organization in one way or another. For that reason, good leaders are those individuals who display the best sense of tolerance and composure when facing difficulties (Daft and Lane 1-493). They do not believe in panicking because panic disrupts organization and order in the institutions. Leadership demands that leaders remain steadfast to organizational goals and objectives irrespective of the challenges that they might face during the process. Successful leadership can only be achieved when the leader remains unshaken by both good and bad events that disrupt the organizational task. Good leaders should have the ability to recover themselves from such situations and successfully direct their teammates towards the achievement of organizational goals.
Focus
Related to the need for composure and tolerance, a good leader is also one who is focused and remains focused on his duties, as well as, the attainment of organizational goals and objectives (Daft and Lane 1-493). Good leaders are able to think analytically and for that reason are focused at all times. A good leader is focused because focus allows the leader to examine their situation as a whole, as well as, in subsystems so as to understand how operational activities can be best conducted for the best results. By doing this, the leader is able to have a clear view of the goals and objectives of the organizations and can subsequently break them down to manageable steps for organizational progress.
Commitment to Excellence
Good leaders are those who are committed to excellence because it is only through this commitment that they can lead their team members into the achievement of organizational goals and objectives (Daft and Lane 1-493). Commitment to excellence gives the “good” in good leadership. Otherwise, if a leader is not committed to excelling, then he or she cannot be termed as a good leader. Instead, such a leader is a failure, and for that reason, cannot be deemed as a leader. Leaders lead people and organizations to success and not failure. Failure to commit to excellence beat the logic of good leadership, which in turn leads to the failure of most organizations (Daft and Lane 1-493). Good leadership requires that leaders maintain high performance standards through raising the bar for their teammates for the achievement of excellence in all areas of the organization.
Responsibility
There is no such thing as an irresponsible leader. Leadership demands first hand responsibility as leaders commit themselves to leadership positions. Responsibility refers to a leader’s dependability in relation to successful execution of tasks (Daft and Lane 1-493). Responsibility is the key to influencing people, which is the reason why most political leaders today have successfully managed to gain followers. Those who do not exercise responsibility end up failing and losing their team members as they cannot be trusted to perform their leadership roles and tasks as expected. Irresponsible leadership results in organizational disaster: for that reason, leadership demands that all leaders take up responsibility for the organization and their team members for organizational success.
Taking Initiative
Conclusively, good leaders are those who take up the initiative so as to get to the leadership position. Taking initiative is in the crux of being a good leader and successful leadership, and it involves stepping up one’s plate and taking on the role as a leader (Daft and Lane 1-493). It is by far the most inherent quality of leaders as it is the first step of determining whether an individual gains the leadership role that he desires. Taking initiative is the first step of leadership, as the leader gains the confidence to set himself apart from the rest of the people as a leader. Leadership requires that spirited leaders take initiative for the leadership position so as to elicit themselves to their team members as the leaders of the group.
Work Cited
Daft, Richard L. and Lane, Patricia, G. The Leadership Experience. United Kingdom: Cengage
Learning, 2007. Print.
Authenticity refers to the aspect of being genuine or original and therefore being authentic or living an authentic life impl
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Authenticity
Authenticity refers to the aspect of being genuine or original and therefore being authentic or living an authentic life implies coming from a real place within. It is when the actions of a person, as well as their words, are congruent with their values and beliefs and therefore living a life that is a depiction of being oneself and not a depiction of what we think we should be or have been told by others we should be and therefore a life of true self.
There are various ways that an individual can live authentically and these include: redefining their values as it is difficult to live an authentic life if a person doesn’t know what they value and desire. Fostering an open mind is another way to live an authentic life in that good or bad thinking keeps a person trapped in limitation and judgment and therefore it causes an individual to shut down their vulnerable, authentic self. Filling in the blank as well aids in living an authentic life in that not only does it help in revealing the essential aspects among themselves but as well helps in building trust, credibility, and confidence in a person. Trusting personal intuition as well helps in living an authentic life. When a person is inauthentic, they feel out of order, and things don’t feel alright. It is important to pay attention to what the intuition tells a person so that they can live an authentic life.
There are other ways that a person can live more authentically. Being true to oneself, implying that you are an honest and trustworthy person guided by moral values. Thinking inward and looking outward as may help a person to live a more authentic life as it makes a person to be a deep thinker. Another way is through kindness and respect, as it helps to live in harmony with the people around a person. Being open-minded and a great listener is also a key aspect. Authenticity can never be a bad thing as it helps a person realize the real selves and at the same time help them live by the morals of a good person.
Authenticity of Internet Information
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Authenticity of Internet Information
Research shows that four out of ten people who share news on social media like twitter and Facebook admit to have passed on fake news. About 18.7% of these people admit to doing so in order to upset others (Lazer, pg. 1049-96). In as much as there are people who pass on true information, majority of them are inclined into false information because it spreads like fire. Inaccurate information gains more recognition and finds acceptance more than true news and false news travels six times faster than authentic news (Lazer, pg. 1049-96). With this in mind we cannot always trust information that we access through social media or news articles. This calls for research which will help us evaluate if the kind of information we have received is indeed true as claimed to be.
There has been a recent claim going round that microwaves are dangerous and that they can cause cancer. A news article posted on ‘Daily Mail’ titled the ‘The Real Dangers of Microwave Ovens’ investigates how indeed microwaves emit radiations which cause cancer (Graf, 2016). According to the study, it is indeed true that it is convenient and easy to warm or cook food using the microwave. A study conducted by Professor Havas explains that there is a real danger in lazily putting our meals in the microwave without thinking about the consequences. According to Professor Havas, microwaves leak radiations which end up affecting our health. Microwaves are normally fit with a metal mesh that is meant to act as a protector to prevent waves from leaking. The professor did a number of tests on about twelve microwaves and found out that every single one of them leaked radioactive (Graf, 2016).
Microwaves are dangerous in two ways; one it affects your food and two it affects your health. Microwaves affects food by reducing the nutritional content in the food. Excess heat produced by the oven denatures enzymes during radiation. When the food is eaten, only a portion of nutrients is received by the body. Microwaves affect humans through a process called radiation. Our bodies are majorly made up of water thus radiation waves found in the microwave are designed to heat water and our bodies tend to naturally absorb the radiation waves. Another way it affects our bodies is by causing cataracts (Graf, 2014). Cataracts are the leading cause of poor vision in people especially people who are 40 years and above. Excess radiation has also been linked to causing blindness. Cataracts are caused by looking at your oven as it warms food. The radiation that is produced as you fix your eyes on the oven light end up affecting the eyes I the long run.
A study conducted by World Health Organization tries to demystify all these claims by scientifically investigating if microwaves are really carcinogenic. The study did an in depth research of analysing microwaves and the radiation they emit and came up with a conclusion that it is a misconception to say that food prepared using a microwave is radioactive (Gunnars, 2014). No microwave energy remains in the food after the oven has been switched off. The study gives an analogy of the microwave being like a light bulb. When the switch is on the bulb emits light but when it is turned off, no light is emitted. Microwaves are safe to be used for cooking and heating as long as they are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Microwaves use power ranging from 500 to 1100 watts and are used at a frequency of about 2450MHz. A microwave is made using an electronic tube known as magnetron. When it is switched on, waves are released from the cavity and dispersed by a stirring fan in all directions (Gunnars, 2014). These waves are then absorbed by the food. In order to heat food uniformly, the microwave plate rotates so that the waves are absorbed in equal length. Water molecules found in the food vibrate when they come into contact with the energy that is emitted. The friction between water molecules in the food results in production of heat that either warms or cooks the food.
The safety of microwaves is also guaranteed by the fact that they are made according to the required international standards. Several electromagnetic safety standards have been set by the European Committee for Eletrotechnical Standardization (CENELEC) to ensure the safety of microwaves. When all these factors are put into place, then it is 100% safe to use microwaves as long as the user follows the instructions given by the manufacturer. One of the most common precautions given is to use a melamine or glass plate when heating food. Caution is given against using metallic plates since it causes electrical arcing which may damage the walls of the microwave.
After reviewing the news article and the research by the World Health Organization, we can conclude that microwaves do not cause cancer. Microwaves although they produce radiation which is what has caused many to associate the equipment with cancer, they are safe to use. A research conducted by the Cancer Council gives enough proof that microwave ovens do not cause cancer (Gunnars, 2014). Microwaves heat food by the process of radiation. Radiation makes water molecules to vibrate and produce heat which in turn warms or cooks food. As long as the microwave oven is used according to the manufacturer’s instructions and all the necessary precautions are taken, then it is safe to conclude that microwaves do cause cancer. Microwaves only heat food and do not make any additional changes to the food component.
Works Cited
Graf, M. de. (n.d.). From cataracts to cancer: The REAL dangers of microwave ovens – and how to test if yours is leaking. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3745308/amp/From-cataracts-cancer-REAL-dangers-microwave-ovens-test-leaking.html#aoh=15724394416363&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24sGunnars, Kris “Microwave Ovens Do Not Cause Cancer.” Cancer Council NSW, 15 Jan. 2014, https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/86089/cancer-information/general-information-cancer-information/cancer-questions-myths/environmental-and-occupational-carcinogens/microwave-ovens-do-not-cause-cancer/.
Lazer, David MJ, et al. “The science of fake news.” Science 359.6380 (2018): 1094-1096.