Ron Leadership class week 2 responses

Discussion 3
Student 1:
This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.Adjust automatic marking as read setting
– Which of the six leadership traits discussed in Chapter 2 is the most important?

Six key traits: intelligence, confidence, charisma, determination, sociability, and integrity (p. 22).

The most important leadership trait is intelligence as a leader must be able to articulate the message to the followers in a manner that is clear and concise. An intelligent leader is well-versed and knowledgeable of the material and is able to construct a plan to complete the task. They are able to identify any miscues during the execution of taskings along with correcting the issue with their cognitive thinking to prevent any delays when achieving a goal. A leader that is an expert in their field will be able to motivate their subordinates as well as attract them to work harder to increase their professional knowledge along with influencing followers to improve in their decision making when working on certain tasks.

– The least important?

The least important is charisma. A person with this trait may be able to attract attention to influence followers however it brings doubt to their credibility of actually following through with their charismatic ways. A leader that displays charisma as their sole leadership trait is charming in a way and creates the effect of “smoke and mirrors”. They are able to tell you what you want to hear, but a true leader is able to commit to their followers by leading them with guidance that will have a positive end result of completing the tasks in hand. A charismatic leadership trait is not so promising that followers will change their ways as the charismatic leader may experience behavioral issues when they are no longer possess the magnetic attraction.

– What role do hardship and adversity play in bringing out or developing leadership traits?

A leader that is mission-focused and has their goal insight is headstrong to complete the mission by all means necessary. This type of leader has obtained the determination trait as their role is to lead their subordinates by providing them with the vision of the objective while creating a daily battle rhythm. During the journey the leader will face obstacles and hardships that will prevent the leader and his team to complete the tasks in hand, however determination and the will to complete the goal will overcome any adversities that come there way.

– How important are good communication skills effective in leadership?

The key to success is effective communication. A leader that is able to express their message to the group will find them on the right path to success. An effective leader must be able to send the message to which the receiver is able to oblige and take action. It is very important for a leader to be able to express and share their thoughts and ideas because without the leader’s guidance he or she will not be an effective leader as their communication skills are lacking influence and conviction.

– Select one of the leaders profiled in Chapter 2. What is their dominant leadership trait?

Mother Teresa is a determined leader as she devoted her life to helping the people of Kolkata, India. She had strong values and an unyielding heart “to care for the hungry, homeless, unwanted, and unloved” (p. 31). Her devotion has lead to the development of missionaries that flourished throughout other parts of the world. Her determination to help those in need did not go unnoticed as she has earned numerous awards along with earning the title of becoming a Saint.

– Do leaders have to possess all the leadership traits to be successful? Why or why not?

A leader that is in possession of multiple leadership traits is better off than a leader with limited leadership traits. It is dependent on the leader’s current situation as the leader may only require certain traits and not all. A leader that is well prepared will be able to handle any situation with less stress, while a leader that does not have all the leadership traits will be challenged and struggle when placed in a foreign situation. Each situation is unique and dependent on the role of the leader will determine the type of leadership trait the leader chooses to utilize when faced with adversity.

Resource:

Northouse, P. (2017). Introduction to leadership concepts and practice (4th ed). California: Sage Publications. eText

Student 2:
Discussion 3 –

This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.Adjust automatic marking as read setting
I think confidence is the most important trait because a leader needs to be confident in their plan and the followers will feel safer with someone who is confident. The least important to me is charisma because its a common trait that some people don’t have and never learn. Hardship and adversity help bring out the best in some people and can really help develop traits. Lessons learned from mistakes made and being able to get through tough times can bring out more confidence and determination in people. On the other end, it can also bring down some traits. People that through rough times can sometimes think that they’ll never get over it but to be a leader, you will go through bad times and you will learn from the mistakes. George Washington’s dominant trait was his integrity. He was one of the first leaders in our nations history and his integrity was an important part of that. I don’t think leaders have to have all the traits to be successful because there has been many leaders that have been successful without all the traits. An example would be New England Patriots head coach, Bill Belichick. He doesn’t have the charisma that most people have in that role but he is one of the greatest coaches the NFL has seen.
Student 3:

This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.Adjust automatic marking as read setting
Week 2

Discussion 3

Which of the six leadership traits discussed in Chapter 2 is the most important? The least important? What role do hardship and adversity play in bringing out or developing leadership traits? How important are good communication skills to effective leadership? Select one of the leaders profiled in Chapter 2. What is their dominant leadership trait? Do leaders have to possess all the leadership traits to be successful? Why or why not?

Integrity is one of the most important traits a leader can possess. Integrity constitutes making the right choices for you and your team regardless of personal attribution or personal interest. Leaders who demonstrate integrity are capable of earning the trust of their teams. This, they accomplish by displaying high values and strong ethics. (Hopkin, 2012)

The least important trait I consider to be Charisma. By definition charisma is considered to be a gift, an innate trait of a person. A charm that may inspire others to action. This definition leaves the reading/ interpreter with a feeling of estrangement or a “either you have it or you don’t sort of feeling”. Because of this, I feel that Charisma is the least important trait for a leader to possess. In the textbook charisma is said to be a characteristic that allows leaders to articulate their visions. This can also be learned by practicing speech and pathology as well as studying and becoming more knowledgeable in your field. Rather than attaining your success as a characteristic of a charm or gift that’s seems unattainable. (Northouse, 2018)

Hardship and adversity are extreme drivers when it comes to developing leadership skills. Take for example Mother Theresa. She was from an able family, however by immersing her life and devoting it to what she felt her calling to be. She was able to demonstrate resilience and adapt her ideas to prompt plans and teams that would allocate resources to help those in need.

Good Communication skills are key to be effective in any role, including those of leaders. By communicating and expressing the vision and intentions for the team and crow, leaders are able to compel action. A good example of an excellent speaker is Doctor Martin Luther King, his “I have a dream” speech has been studied for decades as one of the most inspirational speeches. A call to action by a leader who did not sought to motivate a crowd to action, by explain a detailed plan. Rather, Martin L. King spoke a dream that many could related. He painted a picture for them and communicated his vision in a stellar way, a relatable one.

The leader I choose to speak about is Winston Churchill. I understand that his dominant traits were determination and integrity. His leadership was based on the knowledge he so passionately sought after, in order to become a great leader for the people he served.

Lastly, I don’t believe a leader has to possess all traits. After all a leader should have the ability to be inclusive. This means that a team of people and their traits should be put to use for the greater good. An avid leader knows that they do not possess all the traits. Therefore, they will ensure to maintain a team that is composed of diversity and characteristic of a great organization.

Works Cited
Hopkin, M. R. (2012, January 21). Integrity and Leadership. Retrieved March 2020, from https://leadonpurposeblog.com/2012/01/21/leadership-and-integrity/#:~:text=Integrity%20is%20one%20of%20the,reason%2C%20regardless%20of%20the%20circumstances.&text=Integrity%20isn’t%20one%20of%20them.

Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction to Leadership 4th Editon. Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.A.

Works Cited
Hopkin, M. R. (2012, January 21). Integrity and Leadership. Retrieved March 2020, from https://leadonpurposeblog.com/2012/01/21/leadership-and-integrity/#:~:text=Integrity%20is%20one%20of%20the,reason%2C%20regardless%20of%20the%20circumstances.&text=Integrity%20isn’t%20one%20of%20them.