Personal Leadership Philosophies

Many of us can think of leaders we have come to admire, be they historical figures, pillars of the industry we work in, or leaders we know personally. The leadership of individuals such as Abraham Lincoln and Margaret Thatcher has been studied and discussed repeatedly. However, you may have interacted with leaders you feel demonstrated equally competent leadership without ever having a book written about their approaches.

What makes great leaders great? Every leader is different, of course, but one area of commonality is the leadership philosophy that great leaders develop and practice. A leadership philosophy is basically an attitude held by leaders that acts as a guiding principle for their behavior. While formal theories on leadership continue to evolve over time, great leaders seem to adhere to an overarching philosophy that steers their actions.

What is your leadership philosophy? In this Assignment, you will explore what guides your own leadership.

To Prepare:

• Identify two to three scholarly resources, in addition to this Module’s readings, that evaluate the impact of leadership behaviors in creating healthy work environments.
• Reflect on the leadership behaviors presented in the three resources that you selected for review.
• Reflect on your results of the CliftonStrengths      Assessment, and consider how the results relate to your leadership traits.
• Download your Signature Theme Report to submit for this      Assignment.

The Assignment (3-4 pages):

Personal Leadership Philosophies

Develop and submit a personal leadership philosophy that reflects what you think are characteristics of a good leader. Use the scholarly resources on leadership you selected to support your philosophy statement. Your personal leadership philosophy should include the following:

• A description of your core values.
• A personal mission/vision statement.
• An analysis of your CliftonStrengths Assessment      summarizing the results of your profile
• A description of two key behaviors that you wish to      strengthen.
• A development plan that explains how you plan to      improve upon the two key behaviors you selected and an explanation of how      you plan to achieve your personal vision. Be specific and provide      examples.
• Be sure to incorporate your colleagues’ feedback on      your CliftonStrengths Assessment from this Module’s Discussion 2.
• Note: Be sure to attach your Signature Theme Report to      your Assignment submission.

Broome, M., & Marshall, E. S. (2021). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.

· Chapter 1, “Frameworks for Becoming a Transformational Leader” (pp. 2–19 ONLY)

· Chapter 6, “Shaping Your Own Leadership Journey” (pp. 182-211)

Duggan, K., Aisaka, K., Tabak, R. G., Smith, C., Erwin, P., & Brownson, R. C. (2015). Implementing administrative evidence-based practices: Lessons from the field in six local health departments across the United States. BMC Health Services Research, 15(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0891-3. Retrieved from https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-015-0891-3

Resources for the StrengthsFinder Assessment Tool

Rath, T. (2007). Strengths Finder 2.0 – with Access Code.

Purchase the access code from the Walden bookstore. Then follow the instructions in the document “How to Access the Strengths Finder 2.0.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2014). Leadership [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Accessible player  –Downloads– Download Video w/CC Download Audio Download Transcript 

Moore Foundation. (n.d.). Nurses share lessons in leadership. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLopRJPO6GaifsYPGP_jcWXZzU10H3AaX7

Strengths Insight Guide SURVEY COMPLETION DATE: 03-26-2021

Because many of your responses were in the Neutral category or unmarked, a note of caution is warranted: Some people are unable to choose one statement from a given pair because they feel either that both statements fit them well or that neither does. This is normal, but when it occurs very frequently, it does lead to less confidence in the accuracy of direction indicated by your report. Depending on the order of your themes and how you responded to the assessment, some of your themes may share identical insight statements. If this occurs, the lower ranked theme will not display insight statements to avoid duplication on your report. Your Top 5 Themes 1. Relator 2. Connectedness 3. Achiever 4. Responsibility 5. Strategic 64526269 Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Relator SHARED THEME DESCRIPTION People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal. YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS What makes you stand out? It’s very likely that you feel most fulfilled when you are busy and simply performing routine tasks. When you have nothing to do, typically you find something to do. Sitting around and wasting time does not suit you at all. By nature, you are comfortable sharing your viewpoints with individuals who ask you to do so. Their requests are proof that they like and trust you. You are less inclined, however, to make inquiries about other people’s judgments and/or conclusions. You probably avoid doing anything that could drive a wedge between you and your friends, acquaintances, family members, coworkers, teammates, or classmates. Chances are good that you have the ability to instruct, train, or offer suggestions to people who look to you for assistance. Instinctively, you often are the person asked, “What do you think about . . .?” People are comfortable voicing to you their concerns and ideas about policies, projects, rules, plans, or proposed solutions. You genuinely enjoy assisting others. You are happy to express your thoughts and explain exactly where you stand on many topics. Because of your strengths, you have close companions who frequently seek your guidance. You help them find answers to their personal and professional problems. This makes you a valuable friend. Questions 1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you? 2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you? 64526269 .Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 Connectedness SHARED THEME DESCRIPTION People who are especially talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links between all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has a reason.

YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS What makes you stand out? By nature, you sense you are linked to all humanity. You contend that harming another human being eventually harms you. Misusing the environment has personal consequences, you argue. This perspective on life influences your thoughts, actions, decisions, or choices. Driven by your talents, you may convince certain people that a particular project or cause improves humankind’s quality of life. Occasionally you persuade them of the importance of protecting the planet’s resources for future generations. Perhaps you help people realize they can accomplish more good as a group than they can as individuals. Instinctively, you have no doubts about being linked in some way with everything in the universe. This includes all creation and all humankind. Because of your strengths, you often experience an unexplainable and spontaneous bond between yourself and others. This is a natural occurrence with individuals whose talents, limitations, interests, goals, needs, or fears are apparent to you. Chances are good that you routinely isolate facts that link ideas, events, or people. You are especially sensitive to how one person’s optimistic or negative thoughts can affect the entire human family. This prompts you to pay close attention to what individuals and groups think and do. Questions 1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you? 2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you? 64526269 .Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 Achiever SHARED THEME DESCRIPTION People who are especially talented in the Achiever theme have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive. YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS What makes you stand out? It’s very likely that you devote yourself to figuring out what makes a person unique and special. You likely invest a lot of energy in this activity. You typically consider yourself successful when you can identify a person’s talents, weaknesses, interests, motivations, moods, or experiences. Because of your strengths, you might expend more physical or mental energy doing your job or pursuing your studies than some of your peers do. Perhaps you need to make measurable progress toward one or two goals each day to feel successful as a human being. Driven by your talents, you labor tirelessly when you know your performance and results are being compared to those of other people. You probably find it hard to recall a time when you failed for lack of effort. You are naturally motivated to be the very best — not merely one of the top finishers. Your satisfaction comes from being “number one.” Instinctively, you usually immerse yourself in your work. Often you see what needs to be done, and you do it without being told. This indicates you are a self-starter. You rely on familiar and proven patterns for performing an assignment. You understand the importance of everyone following the rules, procedures, and processes so things consistently get finished from one day to the next as well as from one year to the next. Chances are good that you normally strive to do things right. Taking shortcuts strikes you as unprincipled, thoughtless, and careless. You likely refuse to produce sloppy work or engage in unethical practices. Questions 1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you? 2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you? 64526269 Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 Responsibility SHARED THEME DESCRIPTION People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and loyalty. YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS What makes you stand out? By nature, you conduct yourself in a proper, ethical, legal, and upright manner to avoid feeling you have done something wrong. You truly regret making a mistake, violating a rule, breaking a trust, or producing poor results. You set high standards for yourself in various areas of your life. Instinctively, you prefer to work with teammates who share your concern about doing everything correctly and ethically. Because of your strengths, you are determined to be victorious. As much as you yearn to be “number one,” you know cheating is unacceptable. You probably experience remorse when you unintentionally take unfair advantage of anyone. You likely think finishing first counts only when you have followed all the rules just like everyone else. Driven by your talents, you place a premium on doing everything correctly. Whatever you are involved in or associated with must typify — that is, symbolize — accuracy and precision. Your high standards demand exactness. Chances are good that you may enjoy hearing people describe you as more serious than some of your colleagues, classmates, teammates, friends, or coworkers. Questions 1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you? 2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you? 64526269 Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 6 Strategic SHARED THEME DESCRIPTION People who are especially talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues. YOUR PERSONALIZED STRENGTHS INSIGHTS What makes you stand out? Chances are good that you likely are quite adept — that is, talented, skilled, and knowledgeable — with language. You can express your ideas and feelings with ease. You typically rely on words or phrases your teammates readily understand. Driven by your talents, you select the right combination of words to convey your ideas or feelings. In the middle of discussions, your vocabulary provides you with precise phrases and terminology. You probably express yourself with ease and grace. Because of your strengths, you normally find just the right words at the right moment to express whatever you are thinking and feeling. Many people are likely to appreciate your fine speaking abilities. You can present your ideas in a reasonable, sequential, and methodical way. Moreover, you generate lots of options for others to consider. Questions 1. As you read your personalized strengths insights, what words, phrases, or lines stand out to you? 2. Out of all the talents in this insight, what would you like for others to see most in you? 64526269 Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 7

SURVEY COMPLETION DATE: 03-26-2021 Many years of research conducted by The Gallup Organization suggest that the most effective people are those who understand their strengths and behaviors. These people are best able to develop strategies to meet and exceed the demands of their daily lives, their careers, and their families. A review of the knowledge and skills you have acquired can provide a basic sense of your abilities, but an awareness and understanding of your natural talents will provide true insight into the core reasons behind your consistent successes. Your Signature Themes report presents your five most dominant themes of talent, in the rank order revealed by your responses to StrengthsFinder. Of the 34 themes measured, these are your “top five.” Your Signature Themes are very important in maximizing the talents that lead to your successes. By focusing on your Signature Themes, separately and in combination, you can identify your talents, build them into strengths, and enjoy personal and career success through consistent, near-perfect performance. Because many of your responses were in the Neutral category or unmarked, a note of caution is warranted: Some people are unable to choose one statement from a given pair because they feel either that both statements fit them well or that neither does. This is normal, but when it occurs very frequently, it does lead to less confidence in the accuracy of direction indicated by your report. Relator Relator describes your attitude toward your relationships. In simple terms, the Relator theme pulls you toward people you already know. You do not necessarily shy away from meeting new people—in fact, you may have other themes that cause you to enjoy the thrill of turning strangers into friends—but you do derive a great deal of pleasure and strength from being around your close friends. You are comfortable with intimacy. Once the initial connection has been made, you deliberately encourage a deepening of the relationship. You want to understand their feelings, their goals, their fears, and their dreams; and you want them to understand yours. You know that this kind of closeness implies a certain amount of risk—you might be taken advantage of—but you are willing to accept that risk. For you a relationship has value only if it is genuine. And the only way to know that is to entrust yourself to the other person. The more you share with each other, the more you risk together. The more you risk together, the more each of you proves your caring is genuine. These are your steps toward real friendship, and you take them willingly. 64526269 .Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 2 Connectedness Things happen for a reason. You are sure of it. You are sure of it because in your soul you know that we are all connected. Yes, we are individuals, responsible for our own judgments and in possession of our own free will, but nonetheless we are part of something larger. Some may call it the collective unconscious. Others may label it spirit or life force. But whatever your word of choice, you gain confidence from knowing that we are not isolated from one another or from the earth and the life on it. This feeling of Connectedness implies certain responsibilities. If we are all part of a larger picture, then we must not harm others because we will be harming ourselves. We must not exploit because we will be exploiting ourselves. Your awareness of these responsibilities creates your value system. You are considerate, caring, and accepting. Certain of the unity of humankind, you are a bridge builder for people of different cultures. Sensitive to the invisible hand, you can give others comfort that there is a purpose beyond our humdrum lives. The exact articles of your faith will depend on your upbringing and your culture, but your faith is strong. It sustains you and your close friends in the face of life’s mysteries. Achiever Your Achiever theme helps explain your drive. Achiever describes a constant need for achievement. You feel as if every day starts at zero. By the end of the day you must achieve something tangible in order to feel good about yourself. And by “every day” you mean every single day—workdays, weekends, vacations. No matter how much you may feel you deserve a day of rest, if the day passes without some form of achievement, no matter how small, you will feel dissatisfied. You have an internal fire burning inside you. It pushes you to do more, to achieve more. After each accomplishment is reached, the fire dwindles for a moment, but very soon it rekindles itself, forcing you toward the next accomplishment. Your relentless need for achievement might not be logical. It might not even be focused. But it will always be with you. As an Achiever you must learn to live with this whisper of discontent. It does have its benefits. It brings you the energy you need to work long hours without burning out. It is the jolt you can always count on to get you started on new tasks, new challenges. It is the power supply that causes you to set the pace and define the levels of productivity for your work group. It is the theme that keeps you moving. Responsibility Your Responsibility theme forces you to take psychological ownership for anything you commit to, and whether large or small, you feel emotionally bound to follow it through to completion. Your good name depends on it. If for some reason you cannot deliver, you automatically start to look for ways to make it up to the other person. Apologies are not enough. Excuses and rationalizations are totally unacceptable. You 64526269.Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved. 3 will not quite be able to live with yourself until you have made restitution. This conscientiousness, this near obsession for doing things right, and your impeccable ethics, combine to create your reputation: utterly dependable. When assigning new responsibilities, people will look to you first because they know it will get done. When people come to you for help—and they soon will—you must be selective. Your willingness to volunteer may sometimes lead you to take on more than you should. Strategic The Strategic theme enables you to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught. It is a distinct way of thinking, a special perspective on the world at large. This perspective allows you to see patterns where others simply see complexity. Mindful of these patterns, you play out alternative scenarios, always asking, “What if this happened? Okay, well what if this happened?” This recurring question helps you see around the next corner. There you can evaluate accurately the potential obstacles. Guided by where you see each path leading, you start to make selections. You discard the paths that lead nowhere. You discard the paths that lead straight into resistance. You discard the paths that lead into a fog of confusion. You cull and make selections until you arrive at the chosen path—your strategy. Armed with your strategy, you strike forward. This is your Strategic theme at work: “What if?” Select. Strike. 64526269. Copyright © 2000, 2006-2012 Gallup, Inc. All rights reserved