Personal Insights
A quarter through my last semester at San Diego State University, I am coming to a realization. I thought my idea and thought about leadership was sufficient enough to enter the workforce. Well... I was WRONG.
Learning the dynamic of Level 5 leadership to the different types of styles and approaches one leader can take, opened my eyes to a new perspective. Understanding that leadership is all dependent on the situation and the individuals involved, but more importantly how one interprets each situation because it can be very subjective.
Use this photo for example. It displays two individuals trying to reach the top of the mountain with one helping the other. We do not know the situation, the reasons why they are hiking to the top, if something happened along the way, are they friends and wanted to go for a hike, etc? There are no many different perspective one can approach the same photo and come up with a different conclusion. It is all based on the interpretation of the individual. This concept is the same with leadership and leaders in the workforce.
As mentioned in previous blogs, the hedgehog concept to the different theories just explains the different approaches that are out there. This has allowed me now look at the workplace as my lab. In the sense where I should analyze the situation and when I become in a leadership role or even in a position of more responsibility I can be ready, because I have seen certain situations before and can act accordingly. I am in the current process of learning to determine those situations and come up with solutions or actions on how I should approach it to what should be said.
The concept and idea of leadership is a whole area of study that continues to surprise me and allow me to continually learn and grow. However, learning and analyzing situations will only go so far, but it allows for my personality and style to personally develop and grow, thus becoming stronger. I know, I will need to understand and acknowledge others and allow for mentors and peers to come into my life and inspire me, and show me a positive example of this in the workforce. I know I am not the strongest or have the best self-confidence but I do know that I am more people-orientated, thus making my leadership style unique to me. This is all based on my experiences and childhood bringing up.