Running head: LEADERSHIP A SELF REFLECTION 1

Leadership A Self Reflection

Spartak Goskolli
Hodges University







GEB 1012
Professor Farah
March 23, 2013
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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
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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.
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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
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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,
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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.

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References
Kouzes, J. (2008). The student leadership challenge. California, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
DOI: www.josseybass.com