Leadership Self-Analysis

Leadership Self-Analysis
Numerous definitions have been brought forth of what leadership is and who a leader is. All these have however been found to be true is what matters is the context in which these two terms are used (Kelly & Quesnelle, 2016). Leadership can therefore be defined as the art of utilizing intrapersonal skills to motivate and influence a group of people to work towards one common goal. A leader is an individual that uses interpersonal skills to influence other people, who can be termed as followers, to work towards a particular goal.

Leadership Matrix Survey

This self-analysis survey was developed with the objective of helping individuals determine their leadership styles, by measuring the degree with which one likes working on tasks and people. The survey, which takes approximately 60 minutes, comprises a questionnaire with 18 statements that describe a leadership behavior. The results of the questionnaire are then plotted on a graph, which will give you an idea of your leadership style. From the survey, I found out that my leadership style was “middle-of-the-road”. This meant that I had average people skills as well as average task completion, but with a bit more of experience and training, I had the capability of displaying good team leadership skills.

Leadership Style Survey

This survey also comprises a questionnaire that contains 30 statements that aim to help an individual discover their leadership style beliefs. The statements are scored from 1 to 5, with 5 being almost always true while 1 represents almost never true. The total score from the questionnaire is then used to categorize an individual’s leadership style, which may either be authoritarian, participative or delegative. From this survey, I found out that my most preferred leadership style was democratic leadership, while my least preferred was authoritarian leadership. My score for delegative leadership was also a bit close to that of my most preferred style, which from the survey’s key meant that I was transitioning from one style to another.

Comparison of the two Surveys

The first survey was mildly vague with its initial instructions, whereby the scores were not directly linked to the leadership style it represented. The survey also included plotting of a graph at the end in order to get your score which for some, would have meant the end of the road. Nonetheless, the test was adequately lengthy such that the individual taking the test wouldn’t tire along the way.

The second survey on the other hand was well detailed but failed to inform the learner approximately how long the survey would have taken. It was also quite lengthy (30 questions), for some learners’ liking. It was however quite straightforward with how to calculate the final score. All in all, these two test are an adequate tool for any learner interested in knowing what style of leadership they use.

Discussion

This assignment was meant to assist me as a learner identify my leadership style, areas of strength as a leader as well as areas I can improve on. The surveys revealed to me that I am good at working with others. This was a strength but also an area of concern since as a leader, I need to learn how to influence others to work towards building my vision. Leadership is the art of using interpersonal skills too influence others, to work towards a common goal, which is usually the leader’s goal. Therefore, I should strengthen my leadership style, which is democratic according to the style survey, and avoid being middle-of-the-road, as per the matrix survey.

APPENDIX I

Scoring Section

After completing the questionnaire, transfer your answers to the spaces below:

People

Question

1.___3___

4.___2___

6.___4___

9.___2___

10.__3___

12.__2___

14.__4___

16.__3___

17.__2___

TOTAL ___25___

X 0.2 = ____5___

(multiply the Total by 0.2 to get your final score)

Task

Question

2.___3___

3.___2___

5.___4___

7.___2___

8.___2___

11.__3___

13.__4___

15.__2___

18.__3___

TOTAL ___25____

X 0.2 ___5_____

(multiply the Total by 0.2 to get your final score)

APPENDIX II

Item	Score	Item	Score	Item	Score
1	___1___	2	___4___	3	__5____
4	___2___	5	___5___	6	__5____
7	___2___	8	___4___	9	__4____
10	___1___	11	___5___	12	__4____
13	___1___	14	___5___	15	__3____
16	___1___	17	___5___	18	__4____
19	___1___	20	___4___	21	__4____
22	___2___	23	___5___	24	__4____
25	___1___	26	___4___	27	__5____
28	___1___	29	___5___	30	__3____
Total	__13___	Total	__46___	Total	__41___
	Author-itarian Style		Partici-pative Style		Delegat-ive Style
	autocratic		Democratic		free reign

References

Bolman and Deal\’s Four Framework Approach to Leadership: Leadership Matrix http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/matrix.html

Kelly, P., & Quesnelle, H. (2016). Nursing leadership and management (3rd Canadian ed.). Toronto, ON: Nelson Education Ltd.

Leadership Style Survey http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/survstyl.html

OTHERS:

APPENDIX I

Scoring Section

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