I think my opinion of leadership has changed for the better over the past several weeks. I came into the class with the idea that leadership was something that simply came natural to an individual. However our class discussions, many of which revolved around the research of Kouzes and Posner, revealed to me that leadership is not something that is naturally granted to someone. Both our class discussions with Mr. Monaco and my interview with Mrs. Lyon has shown me that good leaders are people who work hard and are willing to learn from their mistakes. Kouzes and Posner, from the class discussion, revealed to me the characteristics that most leaders need in order to be successful. I now see in myself the potential to become a great leader. The only thing holding me back from becoming a good leader is my willingness to practice being a leader by assuming leadership roles and mastering the ability to learn from my mistakes. In my classmates I see the same potential. In my eyes I can see everyone of them becoming great leaders in all sorts of fields.

Interview Reflection

In interviewing Mrs. Lyon I learned a great deal about leadership and as a result I have a better outlook on what it takes to be a leader. Mrs. Lyon reinforced the idea that in order to be a great leader one has to be a great listener as well. In listening to others a leader shows that he/she is no better than the people they lead. Mrs. Lyon also stressed that a good leader shows humility.
Humility is a common characteristic among the local leaders the class has interviewed. I think the reason humility is such a vital characteristic among good leaders lies in the fact people only want to follow those who represent their ideals and character. In displaying humility a leader shows he/she is only as important as those he leads. More people are drawn to this attitude because it offers the insurance that they will be listened to and heard. Another aspect of a good leader is perseverance.
There is no doubt that as a leader one will come across many challenges and difficulties. According to Mrs. Lyon one of the key traits in being a good leader is "to take risks and be willing to learn from your failures". I think the willingness to take risks and accept the consequences is what prevents everyone from becoming a leader. Most people are unwilling to gamble or take chances even if it is something they are passionate about. The people who are willing to take those risks have the grit and mindset to lead others in a common goal.
I have learned a lot from my interview with Mrs. Lyon. I now have examples from real leaders in the community on what traits are necessary in becoming a good leader. In broad terms a good leader is a very responsible person. A person who shows humility and the ability to accept the consequences of their actions is a responsible person. I think if one were to look at all the good leaders of past and present they would find that all of them were very responsible people.

Mrs. Lyon's Responses

1. What qualties are essential to being a leader ?

There are many qualities that leaders must possess but these I find are a few qualities that I find essential for leadership:

1. To have a vision with the ability to articulate that vision to others

2. To take risks and be willing to learn from your failures.

3. Find the best in everyone (your support team, co-workers, etc.) Being able to focus on developing or empowering those on your team to succeed.

4. To possess self-knowledge and to be open to possibility

5. Last but not least, show some humility. You are no better or worse than members of your team, work place, etc.

2. How do you get others to follow you?

In understanding my own self, I know that I come across as fair, open and with enthusiasm for my work. I feel that I have an awareness of the needs of others and am able to read those needs and calmly respond in like to them. I listen well. When you validate people they will often follow. People just want to be heard. I often have a strong proactive approach to many problems or ideas rather than a reactive approach.

3. What/ Who most inspired you to become a leader?

I cannot recall a certain person, but actually many over the last 20+ years that have encouraged me. Many of those who have inspired me are those that modeled the behavior that I display now of enthusiasm for their area and empowering me to be a success.

4. What experience leading has influenced you the most?

Whenever I have accepted new responsibility or left a position within a school and the next person has taken over I am often moved by the ‘passing of the torch”. Working with others to replace you or to empower others to move in the direction of leadership and succeed is quite a gratifying experience. I think a good leader will always instill in others the qualities of great leadership.

5. What is the biggest challenge you have face as a leader?

I used to think the act of confronting someone with a difficult situation was a challenge, but over time I have developed skills that have allowed me to successfully confront people with a calm, open and non-threatening way in which they have still received the message that needed to be delivered.

A challenge I still face today is to make those hard decisions. Often the greater community does not have all of the information that you do to make that decision. The greater community is making assumptions and judging you on those tough decisions. If I lead with integrity and have gathered all of the pertinent information then it is my job to sustain a positive work environment. As a leader you have to have some “thick skin” and realize their will always be a spectrum of opinions or thoughts on how you should have handled the situation. You do your best, you gather all the pertinent information, you surround yourself with people you have empowered and sometimes you just pray!

Leadership Experience

My personal best leadership experience was at work over the summer. I work at Cinemark Harbor 12 and I am employed as an usher. An usher's job entails cleaning theaters, seating customers, and general maintenance of the complex. On a busy Saturday afternoon my assistant managers appointed me the head usher. My job was to make sure the theaters, lobby, and restrooms remained clean throughout the night. I had to appoint my fellow ushers to specific tasks in order for the night to run smoothly. I also had to assign my co-workers their breaks. In my situation communication was essential. I had to make sure all 8 of us were on the same page. By asking my employees to check in with me after each theater and task was completed I was able to ensure that no tasks were left undone. Also, by asking my coworkers to communicate with me on when they would like to take their breaks I was able to make sure we were not understaffed in a theater rush. At the end of the night I think my fellow coworkers and I had more respect for one another. I was not a power hungry leader, I helped my employees complete tasks and was sympathetics towards the needs of others. I think this helped my fellow coworkers adjust to having a person their age in charge. This was a difficult and fun leadership experience that has allowed me to become a more confident person.

Leadership Questions

Questions.
1. What obligations do you have at your position? 2. What has allowed you to be successful at your position? 3. How did you acquire your position? 4. What is the most difficult challenge you have faced at your position? 5. How have you overcome these challenges?

Who?
I am planning to interview Mrs. Lyon for our leadership assignment. Mrs. Lyon is the Head of Academics of the Upper School and is also heading the senior project. Mrs. Lyon has a huge task set in front of her, she has to organize many individuals and events. I think it would be interesting to see how she is able to do so much and what has made her successful thus far at her position.