Write an analysis of a leader you either interviewed personally or researched thoroughly. In your analysis, address specific ways the leader demonstrates effective leadership.
Effective leaders realize that employees should be recognized for a job well done. While some people prefer public praise and others prefer personal recognition, most employees want to be recognized in some way. Kouzes and Posner (2017) state that effective leaders begin their leadership development by first learning to lead themselves. Effective leadership begins from within and expands outward to affect others. This development cascades into effective leadership.
To complete this assessment, you have two options. You may choose to base your assessment on a leader you know personally or on a leader who is well-known. Be sure to read the complete instructions for both options carefully before making a decision.
Instructions
Option A: Interview a Leader You Know Personally
Identify someone you know who is currently serving in a leadership capacity at an organization. You may choose a leader affiliated with your employer, a community leader, a political or church leader, or anyone whose leadership skills you admire. Arrange an interview with your selected leader to learn about his or her view of leadership. Structure the interview around the concepts of leadership as you have come to understand them from your own research or the recommended readings. Some suggested interview questions are:
What is your definition of leadership?
How do you model leadership?
How do you inspire a shared vision in those around you?
How do you look for new opportunities that may require experimenting or taking risks?
How do you enable or empower others to act?
How do you recognize the contributions made by others?
In what ways do you get personally involved?
What challenges and opportunities do you face?
Conduct the interview and then use the interview results to complete this assessment as instructed in the Requirements below.
Option B: Research a Well-Known Leader
It may be difficult for you to gain access to interview an available leader. If so, you may opt to research a well-known historical figure or contemporary leader whom you believe embodies great leadership. You may choose a business leader, political leader, author, scientist, sports personality, or any public figure about whom there is enough information publicly available for you to fulfill the requirements of this assessment. Refer to the Option B Leaders List (linked in the Resources) for potential subjects; you are not limited to this list.
Focus your research on how the leader demonstrates exemplary leadership as identified below:
What is the leader’s definition of leadership?
How does the leader model leadership?
How does the leader inspire a shared vision in those around him or her?
How does the leader look for new opportunities that may require experimenting or taking risks?
How does the leader enable or empower others to act?
How does the leader recognize the contributions made by others?
In what ways does the leader get personally involved?
What challenges and opportunities does the leader face?
Once you have completed your research, complete this assessment as instructed below.
Explain why you chose your selected leader.
Provide background information on the environment and culture of the organization in which the leader provides leadership.
Analyze how the leader models leadership.
Analyze how the leader inspires a shared vision.
Analyze how the leader looks for new opportunities that may require experimenting or taking risks.
Analyze how the leader empowers and recognizes the contributions of others.
Analyze how the leader reflects their definition of leadership.
Evaluate the leadership style, characteristics, or themes of the leader in relation to the purpose and relevance of leadership. Draw justifiable conclusions about the effectiveness of the leader.