Personal Experience with Leadership
The nature of leadership experience in a group or firm will determine its level of success (Kocolowski 24). Individuals should possess the best leadership traits and skills in order to achieve their potentials. While working with my consulting group, I identified and developed new leadership ideas that can make me a successful manager in the future. People can learn from the strengths and weaknesses of different leaders in order to become successful. As a leader, I was able to mentor my teammates, thus making it easier for them to achieve their goals. In our team, every member was encouraged to embrace the best leadership roles.
This leadership position gave me new competencies that can support my future leadership goals. As well, I understood why leaders should embrace some of the best values, such as “empowerment, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, mentoring, and guidance” (Lunenburg 3). They should also be aware of the best leadership styles that can deliver tangible results. I always focused on the best practices and activities in order to make our consulting group successful. The aspects of leadership prevalent in our group can be replicated elsewhere. The approach can deliver positive results.
However, some challenges were experienced in the group. For instance, some individuals were non-responsive throughout the period. Absenteeism and lateness were critical problems throughout the first week. Some members were not serious about the goals of the consulting group. Sometimes it was impossible to achieve the targeted goals because the other leaders failed to promote the best practices. This malpractice affected the morale of different members (Pasmore 7). As well, some individuals were unable to follow simple instructions.
It was, therefore, appropriate to embrace the best techniques in an attempt to deal with such challenges. To begin with, I used a transformational approach to analyze the major problems facing my teammates. I also collaborated with the group members, empowered them, and promoted the best decision-making processes. It was my duty to address every problem raised by the group members. I also encouraged the individuals to respect one another and manage time properly (Pasmore 11).
These initiatives reduced most of the challenges affecting the consulting group. The group was eventually able to achieve its goals. Leaders should, therefore, be ready to address various obstacles and empower their followers. This strategy made it easier for our team to emerge successfully despite the existing challenges.
Incorporating the Reading into My Presentation
Leaders should embrace different concepts and skills in order to achieve their objectives. I incorporated a number of aspects from the article “Path-goal Theory of Leadership: Lessons, Legacy, and a Reformulated Theory” into my presentation. For instance, I borrowed powerful ideas, such as the importance of positive behaviors in a group. Leaders should engage in the best behaviors in order to be more effective. As well, they should promote effective practices and address the needs of their subordinates. Such ideas were used to produce a meaningful presentation. I also identified a number of theoretical propositions, such as effective decision-making and problem-solving (Greenlee and Karanxha 376). Such aspects have the potential to support the performance of every group or organization.
Summary of the Article
The targeted article “Path-goal Theory of Leadership: Lessons, Legacy, and a Reformulated Theory” explains how the path-goal theory remained relevant for several years before being replaced by other leadership models. The reading shows clearly that “human beings are usually trapped in their own paradigms” (House 84). This fact explains why many leadership analysts throughout the later 1900s “were trapped in a paradigm of person-oriented behavior and task with respect to leadership” (House 84).
Modern managerial theories focus on the empowerment of followers. Such theories also outline several approaches that can be used to achieve different goals. The reformulated theory is, therefore, broader than the path-goal model (House 86). However, this theory focuses on leadership behavior only. This fact explains why the model is limited in terms of its scope. It is notable that leadership affects political behaviors, managerial levels, and organizational changes. Future managerial studies should, therefore, offer adequate information and present better leadership models.
Lessons Gained from the Article
The above article identifies the major aspects and gaps associated with the path-goal theory. However, the author has gone ahead to explain why leaders should be ready to promote the best behaviors in their organizations. I now understand how to promote such positive behaviors. I have also understood how to formulate positive decisions. I am also able to establish appropriate subordinate-superior relationships (Blinder and Morgan, 136).
The article has also equipped me with powerful concepts that can be used to design a proper leadership model. The important goal is to focus on the needs of my followers in order to produce enviable behaviors (House 86). Such behaviors can result in follower-satisfaction and eventually improve the level of performance. I will also read more articles and publications in an attempt to become a competent leader.
Works Cited
Blinder, Alan and John Morgan. “Leadership in Groups: A Monetary Policy Experiment.” International Journal of Central Banking 1.1 (2008): 117-150. Print.
Greenlee, Bobbie and Zorka Karanxha. “A Study of Group Dynamics in Educational Leadership Cohort and Non-Cohort Groups.” Journal of Research on Leadership Education 5.11 (2010): 357-382. Print.
House, Robert. “Path-goal Theory of Leadership: Lessons, Legacy, and a Reformulated Theory.” The Wharton School of Management 1.1 (1996): 61-89. Print.
Kocolowski, Michael. “Shared Leadership: Is it Time for a Change.” Emerging Leadership Journals 3.1 (2010): 22-32. Print.
Lunenburg, Fred. “Leader-Member Exchange Theory: Another Perspective on the Leadership Process.” International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration 13.1 (2010): 1-5. Print.
Pasmore, William. “Developing a Leadership Strategy: A Critical Ingredient for Organizational Success.” Center for Creative Leadership 1.1 (2010): 1-25. Print.