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Transformational Leadership Plan Introduction and Leadership Theory The concepts of leadership and management are interrelated, and in order to succeed in the future career, it is very important to be an effective leader. Although there are many theories of leadership (such as transactional, situational, charismatic, etc), transformational leadership is, evidently, the best leadership theory. According to this theory, people follow the leader who inspires them, and, therefore, in order to get the tasks done, the leader injects people with energy and enthusiasm (Bass, Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership, 1994; Burns, 1978; Weber, 1947). Being a transformational leader, the person can achieve great things, as he brings his vision to his followers and encourages them for changes (Boje, 2001).
The effective leader is able to influence people to get the things done to a quality and standards above their norm. Effective leader is able to encourage people to do it willingly (Coles, 2000). Effective leadership is a mix of skills, values, behaviors, and knowledge; it is rather a process that helps people to achieve the goals. The leadership allows people to see the vision, to embrace and accept the mission, and to achieve the desired goals and objective (Bass, Transformational leadership and the falling dominoes effect, 1987). Although not all people are born leaders, there is a way to become a leader, because the ability to be a leader is a collection of skills learned, and an art that should be sharpened and coined through a number of daily activities, and habits.
Therefore, in order to become an effective leader, and to grow professionally, personally, and spiritually, it is necessary to have a clear vision of the desired outcomes, to understand all strengths and weaknesses of the character, and to develop an effective individual transformational leadership plan able to transform the person into the leader. Vision: My vision is to enhance my capability to lead people, to become an effective leader able to influence other people to truly want to achieve a goal. Personal Leadership Strengths and Weaknesses Leadership Strengths: I am able to be calm under pressure; I am optimistic when facing disappointments or problems; I am able to calculate possible risks and dangers, and manage crises effectively; I prefer taking the initiative and to be the leader, rather than being guided by somebody; I am sure and confident in my abilities and decisions and often use my gut-feelings to guide me; I often succeed to encourage other people to accept my plans and ideas; I am able to inspire people and tell stories to clarify the meaning and impact peoples behavior to achieve the desired goals. Leadership Weaknesses: Sometimes I am unable to see the big picture of the desired goals and have difficulties with developing clear vision; Sometimes I fail to be a good mentor and coach the other people; Sometimes I face difficulties in building a good team and creating strategic alliances, thus failing to improve the acceptance and the quality of the vision aimed to influence people to achieve desired goals; Sometimes I fail to give a good presentation, as I lack some skills in listening, sharing feedback, delegation, and managing my power and influence.
Transformational Leadership Action Plan There are certain gaps between the leader I am not and the leader I would like to become. Taking into account all my leadership strengths and weaknesses, I need to learn and practice several skills, such as learning to be a mentor and coaching others, giving an effective presentation, practicing basic skills in listening to the other people and sharing feedback, enhancing my skills in planning, decision making, problem solving, and managing my power and influence. Leadership Goals Goal 1: To become a more effective leader by learning how to give and receive feedback more efficiently. Strategies: Attending leadership courses, reading corresponding literature, and practicing skills will allow me to enhance my skills in listening and communicating and public speaking.
Apart from that I'll gain additional knowledge on problem-solving and will become more confident leader. Goal 2: To learn how to create and maintain more productive and positive relationships with the other people Strategies: In order to achieve this goal, I plan to attend leadership courses. In addition, the components of my leadership training and development will include self-assessment inventories, information and resources (i. e. articles, readings, books, and publications of leadership and building relationships with people), experiential learning, reflective practices that will be combined with actions and leadership activities, interaction with the established leaders and learning from them, to mention a few. Apart from that, Ill need to learn how to create and manage teamwork, because the leader is unable to achieve success alone.
Therefore, Ill have to learn how to be involved and to be in touch with the team members so to make them to act by providing emotional support, assistance, and vision. I have to learn thinking in terms of we instead of "I", and to understand the importance of the teamwork. Goal 3: To learn how to manage myself and to enhance my communication and presentation skills and to learn how to set clear, effective, and achievable goals Strategies: In order to reach this goal, I plan to read books and publications related to the subjects, and to attend leadership courses that will help me to tie theory with practice. In result, I'll be able to confidently embrace presentation opportunities and to conquer anxiety and any negative emotions; to prepare for presentations and speaking in public and to effectively handle negotiations; to manage presentation technology and to integrate memorable and relevant visual support material; to convey the message to the audience with clarity, enthusiasm and persuasion, and to present my thoughts and ideas in refined delivery style. In addition, I'll be able to interact with the people in a manner that immediately inspires credibility and respect, and adopt the most effective listening approach. Planned Outcomes The leadership development is an on-going and non-stop process.
However, after the leadership development program will be complete, I will be more effective leader that I was before the present plan was offered for consideration. Under the present plan I'll enhance my leadership skills and will learn and practice my skills in listening to the other people and sharing feedback, will be more effective in problem solving and decision making, will be more effective in self-management, and will be a better mentor and coach to the other people. Finally, Ill be able to create and maintain more productive and positive relationships with the others, and will be more effective in inspiring other people and encouraging them to accept my plans and ideas. Timeline 3 - 6 Months Research leadership development programs and choose the one that will be the most effective; Join the individual leadership development program and attend leadership development courses; Become a more effective leader in community using accumulated skills set; Take actions to continue my development into the future and consider what kind of actions and support I will need on my way to become a more effective leader and to turn my weaknesses into strengths. 6 - 12 Months Review where I am right now; Enroll in the Coaching for Development leadership program; Attend Developing Leadership Talent: Strategies and Tools program; Practice acquired leadership skills; Keep goals in sight by taking part in various programs that will allow me to enhance my leadership skills and use the skills and knowledge I have learned; Discuss my progress with a feedback coach from the sources I have attended and with other participants as well; Finally, to complete a follow-up assessment after the courses and all leadership-development initiatives were over to measure leadership behavioral changes since attending the courses.
References Bass, B. M. (1994). Improving Organizational Effectiveness Through Transformational Leadership. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications: . Bass, B.
M. (1987). Transformational leadership and the falling dominoes effect. Group and Organization Studies, 12 (1), 73 - 87. Boje, D. M. (2001).
Myers-Briggs and Leadership. Burns, J. (1978). Leadership. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers. Coles, R. (2000).
Lives of Moral Leadership. New York: Random House. Weber, M. (1947). The Theory of Social and Economic Organization. NY: The Free Press.
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Research essay sample on Transformational Leadership Effective Leader
