The transformational leader who is passionate about distance
learning has an opportunity to be a part of a societal change process. America and the global community are going
through a paradigm shift in regards to public perception of distance
learning. Alone, one person cannot
initiate and coordinate a national or global societal change, but individually,
a transformational leader can establish a vision, create a passion, and develop
a leadership plan. As I reflect on my
own personal leadership plan in the field of distance education, a three-step
approach was taken. Self-reflection,
honest feedback, and continual learning were the components that I used in
designing my personal leadership plan.
Bennis, leadership author and guru, defined leadership as “the capacity to create a compelling vision
and translate it into action and sustain it” (2003, p. 1). Leadership can be learned. If one has the desire to be a leader, one can
be. "Like John Kotter, Prof Bennis believes leadership is not necessarily an
inborn skill and can be taught ... through personal coaching rather than group
training" (Bennis, 2003, p. 1).
Throughout history leaders come to mind that were not born leaders, but
learned it through their education, tenacity, and personal effort. "Abraham
Lincoln, Harry S. Truman, Sam Walton of Wal-Mart, and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant"
were not born into leadership, but had undying purpose and vision to achieve
their goals (Mohr, 2000, p. 76).
With everything, there is a beginning; the vision, passion,
and plan must begin somewhere. Blanchard (1999) asserted, “If you don’t take time out to think, strategize, and prioritize, you
will work a whole lot harder, without enjoying the benefits of a job smartly
done” (p. 25). Considering Blanchard’s words, anyone who desires to be a
leader should outline a plan to outline a plan with specific goals. All one needs is the desire to be a
leader. In fact, no less an authority
than Peter Drucker (2001) has placed personal energy at the very forefront of
leadership qualities: "Your first
and foremost job as a leader is to raise your own energy level and then to help
raise and orchestrate the energies of those around you” (Cooper, 2001,
para. 1).
Personal Leadership Philosophy
Self-reflection
“Leaders know
themselves; they know what they can do well” (Bennis & Goldsmith, 2003,
p. 81). The transformational leader who
has completed self-reflection and assessed one’s strengths and weaknesses
should next ask people for constructive feedback. Do not shy away from the good and bad
feedback that you might receive.
Avoiding the pain of receiving negative feedback does nothing for your growth. Be willing to look at your weakness with the
potential to create behavioral changes.
Nothing feels better than taking a misstep and turning this into a
success.
Organizations are often hiring leadership coaches. Typically an organizational leadership coach
may work with newly promoted managers to help them be successful. If one is not available within your
organization, seek a professional leadership coach. "With
the help of leadership coaches, leaders gain perspective on the familiar while
encountering alternative ways to view self and one's role as a leader"
(MacPherson, 2009, p. 46).
Honest Feedback
In terms of being an effective leader, one must seek out
honest feedback. Seek a mentor. Kelling, Barling, and Helleur (2000)
conducted extensive research on the effect of training and constructive
feedback on leaders. "Results suggest that both training and
feedback are effective means of changing leadership behaviors"
(Kelling, Barling, & Helleur, 2000, p. 145). After reviewing several leadership coaching
websites, the need for feedback to the leader was stressed. "Eight
ways to get honest feedback", "Five proven tips to get honest feedback", and "Honest success" are examples of
just a few of these websites. Bozeman
and Feeney (2007) defined mentoring as...
...a process for the informal transmission of knowledge, social
capital, and the psychosocial support perceived by the recipient as relevant to
work, career, or professional development; mentoring entails informal
communication, usually face-to-face and during a sustained period of time,
between a person who is perceived to have greater relevant knowledge, wisdom,
or experience (the mentor) and a person who is perceived to have less (the
protègè). (p. 719)
Continual Learning
Think outside the box, challenge all assumptions, and
continually seek new information.
Reading new literature will not be enough, consider innovative changes
that may be outside the norm of the organization. Daniel Pink has looked into the future and
considered what it will take to make change happen. In his book, A Whole New Mind, Pink (2006)
addressed six thought processes to generate innovative thinking. Pink(2006) incorporated both the left and
right brain by mastering the six human abilities of design, story, symphony,
empathy, play, and meaning. Using these
natural abilities can get you continually learning, planning, and changing.
Fundamental to my personal leadership philosophy are
self-reflection, asking people whom one works with for constructive feedback,
and continually seeking new information (Bennis & Goldsmith, 2003, pp. 81-82). Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “No one can make you feel inferior without
your permission” (Blanchard, 1999, p. 12).
Struggling with low self-esteem or constant negativity can hinder
effective leadership. Reevaluating the
white water that exists in our world, challenge the false assumptions will
enable you to overcome any self-doubt.
Norman Vincent Peale believed that one can look at each day in two
different ways. One’s day is either
going to be good or bad, so why not look to the good there is in life and seek
the positive (Blanchard, 1999). “As a leader, the most important earthly
relationship you can cultivate is your relationship with yourself”
(Blanchard, 1999, p. 152).
Conclusion
Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City during the
tragedy of September 11, 2001, proposed there were three critical stages of
leadership. “First, you must develop beliefs. Next, you have to communicate them.
Finally, you must take action” (Giuliani, p. 80). A plan will enable you to begin the journey
to become a leader. Having a guide to
mentor you along the way is crucial to your success. “Leadership
is not something you do to people. It’s something you do with people”
(Blanchard, 1999, p. 140).
Author: Andree C. Swanson, EdD
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