The document is a self-reflection by Spartak Goskolli on his understanding and experience with leadership. Through a business course, Goskolli learned that working under a terrible manager can teach more than working with a great manager. His previous manager did not recognize employees' achievements, from which Goskolli learned the importance of praising others' good work. Goskolli believes leadership requires passion and hard work, and that a leader emerges through dedication to something they care about rather than seeking leadership roles directly. He reflects on his strengths in communication and praise, as well as areas for improvement like being more candid, and recognizes time management as key to balancing work, school, and family obligations.
The document is a self-reflection by Spartak Goskolli on his understanding and experience with leadership. Through a business course, Goskolli learned that working under a terrible manager can teach more than working with a great manager. His previous manager did not recognize employees' achievements, from which Goskolli learned the importance of praising others' good work. Goskolli believes leadership requires passion and hard work, and that a leader emerges through dedication to something they care about rather than seeking leadership roles directly. He reflects on his strengths in communication and praise, as well as areas for improvement like being more candid, and recognizes time management as key to balancing work, school, and family obligations.
The document is a self-reflection by Spartak Goskolli on his understanding and experience with leadership. Through a business course, Goskolli learned that working under a terrible manager can teach more than working with a great manager. His previous manager did not recognize employees' achievements, from which Goskolli learned the importance of praising others' good work. Goskolli believes leadership requires passion and hard work, and that a leader emerges through dedication to something they care about rather than seeking leadership roles directly. He reflects on his strengths in communication and praise, as well as areas for improvement like being more candid, and recognizes time management as key to balancing work, school, and family obligations.
The document is a self-reflection by Spartak Goskolli on his understanding and experience with leadership. Through a business course, Goskolli learned that working under a terrible manager can teach more than working with a great manager. His previous manager did not recognize employees' achievements, from which Goskolli learned the importance of praising others' good work. Goskolli believes leadership requires passion and hard work, and that a leader emerges through dedication to something they care about rather than seeking leadership roles directly. He reflects on his strengths in communication and praise, as well as areas for improvement like being more candid, and recognizes time management as key to balancing work, school, and family obligations.
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Running head: LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 1
Leadership A Self Reflection
Spartak Goskolli Hodges University
GEB 1012 Professor Farah March 23, 2013 LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 2 Leadership A Self Reflection Many individuals may ask, what is leadership? Although there are many definitions as to what leadership is and how it is presented, each being has their own characterization of what leadership truly means. If I had to define leadership in five words, it would be inspiring others to make differences. In the journey throughout this semester I have learned critical thinking skills, effective communication skills, researching skills, as well as leadership skills. My critical thinking has improved in a way which I no longer memorize facts, but understand concepts in order to synthesis the information to produce an educated variable. I have learned that effective communication is not what you say, but how you say it. Many students mix up words, which makes their sentences sound unclear. Although in most cases the meaning behind what the individual had said was understandable, it is unprofessional and could potentially bring about errors if the reader did not comprehend the writers portrayal. My research abilities have substantially improved by being able to depict which gathered information is valuable, as well as originated from a credible source. The use of specific research utilities that the Hodges University library provides for its students is immensely helpful in narrowing down a persons search for information. Many of the databases that Hodges University subscribes to have very valuable information as well as very credible information, giving its students the ability to become educated on how to pinpoint which authors, and articles are credible. Although all of the following skills I have attained are phenomenal, they are nothing in comparison as to the skills I have learned about leadership. My business professor had taught me that in order to be a great leader; working under a terrible manager can help you learn more than working with a great manager. This statement holds true to me today. My previous manager was terrible. She had always put the customers first, which interrupted the natural cycle of business growth and LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 3 development, and also never gave recognition where recognition was due. Even though my previous job did not pay commissions, I am proud to say that I currently hold the record for the top sale in the store since it opened up in that location. Many may say that this achievement is incredible and very difficult to achieve, however I was not given the slightest recognition for it. If anything, I was treated even worse with the weeks to follow due to my inability to produce the same result again. Through this experience I have learned that in order to be a true leader, you must invest your time in praising your employees or colleagues when they produce phenomenal work. Becoming a leader in todays society can be a very simple task. My advice to any individual who wishes to become a true role model and leader in their communities is such that any person can follow. Passion and hard work is contagious; if you wish to become a leader, engage in something you love and work hard on it. Other people will witness this and will be astounded at the amount of effort you are inputting into your passion. This surprising scene will produce a want in them to assist you. I believe that leadership cannot be taught. Every person has the ability to become a leader; however each individual has to take a different path in order to achieve their leadership role. Based on my experiences and research, a leader is not searched for, a leader is found. Many times when I have wanted to be the leader of a situation I failed miserably. Becoming a leader is not something an individual can one day decide to do. Becoming a true leader takes time, hard work, and dedication to something you are passionate about. A leader is an individual who seeks challenges in something they are passionate about, and invents ways to improve that entity. Do not look to find situations in which you can be a leader, let those situations find the leader in you. LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 4 Throughout the time I have spent researching leadership and its many forms, I have learned that I have some very outstanding strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Some of my strengths include being able to communicate very well, and the ability to give praise to those who do an exceptional job on a task in which they are performing. However with strength comes weakness. I have found that at times I do not have the audacity to give my full and honest opinion, or be blunt to someone when they are not doing their tasks. The opportunities I have had in taking on a leadership role are very limited, mainly because I believe that I should not seek leadership roles, but embrace them when they appear. The main leadership role I am currently placed in is being the owner of my own company, SPAR-Tech Computer Repairs LLC. Being a business owner is a very difficult task, especially while seeking a higher education. The biggest threat for me has always been procrastination, and flawed management of time. As many other people, I get caught up in the constant struggle of school work, family, occupations, etc. I have learned that life is a very difficult path; however it becomes even more difficult when you do not manage your time precisely and effectively. Time management is the key aspects that will truly decide whether a student can balance their family life, school work and occupational work efficiently, and successfully. I believe without proper time management skills, a person cannot possibly succeed in college while holding a full time job. I learned this the hard way by getting caught up in my previous position. I had a business plan project that needed to be completed for my business course, and due to being given a larger than desired amount of work hours at my occupation, I fell behind very quickly. Without time management, one can get drawn away from what is important, and what their main focus should be on. I have since left that job and am focused on completing the LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 5 remainder of my school semester by dedicating all of my time to it. If there was one skill that I would choose to be the best out of all, it would be time management skills. Being a true leader is broken down into four very basic subsections: Modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, and enabling others to act. In order to model the way, one must clarify their values and set an example for others to follow. One must dig within the core of their mind to find what they truly believe is important to them, and follow it. By setting an example for others to follow, the individual is inspiring someone to follow a shared vision. One can do this by envisioning the future and enlisting others. John Irby states that inspiring others to envision their success and giving them an image of what that would look like injects drive and determination into those around you. A person needs a desire to make something happen, a passion that they can allow to engulf them in order to become a true leader. Through this passion, one can enlist others by learning to communicate the proper messages. To properly enlist someone you need to be able to recognize their hopes and values. The next step is challenging the process. To become a true leader one must find a way to improve a situation or aspect of a situation they do not like. Leaders seek challenges, and through solving those challenges is what makes them who they are. Taking risks and looking for ways to improve is what being a leader is truly about. Last but not least, becoming a leader means you must be able to enable others to act. Leaders need to promote team work and engage everyone that is part of the project to complete their tasks. A true leader needs to be able to rely on others to complete a certain task. They must strengthen their comrades skills by providing feedback and praise when a task is completed successfully. The skills of leadership very in many individuals, and each person has the ability to become a leader if they so choose to be. A true leader needs to be able to think critically, LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 6 communicate properly, and also have proper researching abilities. Give praise where praise is due, and others will follow in your footsteps in order to help you develop your passion. Learn to inspire visions, enable others, become a role model, and creating innovative ideas to completing tasks, as well as time management, and you will find yourself becoming a better leader than you ever dreamed was possible.
LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 7 References Kouzes, J. (2008). The student leadership challenge. California, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. DOI: www.josseybass.com