Self Development Leadership Plan: Overview
Using self-assessment tools like the Strengths Finder and the Emotional Intelligence Tool, I have initiated the process of change that will enhance my leadership capacities. I learned through these tools my strengths and weaknesses, and this knowledge helped me to develop specific strategies for change. The strengths finder tool showed that I have great restorative strength; that I interact harmoniously with others and seek solutions through collaboration and mediation. I also learned that one of my strengths is the ability to contextualize and analyze current situations based on based experiences and events. This is not the same as dwelling; this strength refers to the broad meta-analyses needed to understand a current problem. The past provides us with tools and lessons. Even when we dealt with a past situation poorly, we can learn from our mistakes and make different moves now. Another strength revealed in the Strengths Finder was my tendency towards inclusiveness in social situations. Inclusiveness comes naturally to me; I cannot imagine being any other way, which will make me a strong leader in diverse and complex environments. Finally, the Strengths Finder confirmed that I have a passion for learning. A learning orientation means I am hungry for knowledge, curious about the world and how it works, and open to new ideas.
The Emotional Intelligence tool showed that I have a high overall EQ. I am able to monitor and manage my emotions, but I also do not grapple with difficult emotions. I am inherently calm and cool even in the face of adversity, which could also mean I have not yet been challenged sufficiently. Echoing the results of the Strengths Finder, the Emotional Intelligence tool showed that I do tend towards inclusive approaches to others, listen well, and seek opportunities for win-win results to problems. Each of these issues contributed to the evolution of a leadership plan concurrent with personal and professional development.
Strategies for Change
The strategies for change I identified based on my self-assessment and self-development indicators are as follows. First, I will take a course in public speaking so that I can become a more effective leader who is comfortable with my own voice and power to influence others. Given my predilection for learning new things, I believe this strategy will also align itself well with the second strategy, which is to develop my skills competencies in one key...
This could mean a class or workshop, or it could just mean reading a book. Third, I will find either a mentor or a coach and formally hire the person to help me cultivate the leadership skills I need to take my career to the next level. Fourth, I will conduct more outreach and advocacy work in the interests of promoting social justice and the major philosophical values that I stand for in my profession.
Implementation of Strategies
In this case, I implemented each of these strategies in roughly the order I presented them above. The first thing I did was to explore options for public speaker training. As an aspiring leader, I know I need to improve my group communication skills. I am good in one-on-one and small group settings but freeze up in front of a large crowd. I want to get my ideas across more effectively, because doing so will allow me to effect change in the world. When I share my voice and vision with others, they will be inspired to take action. Therefore, I enrolled in a public speaking course at the local community center. Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions people have about public speaking is that some people are born with what it takes, and other people just don’t have it at all. I learned that on the contrary, all skillful speakers have learned their skills the hard way. Chollet, Wortwein, Morency, et al. (2015) show how “training and practice are essential,” but that speakers need to learn in a “safe and engaging environment,” (p. 1143). I enrolled in a class that provided the safe and engaging environment I needed to improve my public speaking skills, which in turn led to a tremendous boost in my self-confidence. The course involved three two-hour sessions. I do not feel that this was enough time for me to hone my skills, and in the future will seek out further opportunities to speak in public and to improve my public speaking skills.
While the public speaking course was available through a local community center, I simultaneously sought out instructional training in my area of professional expertise. I did so through the university I am enrolled in, signing up for a course in managerial aspects of advanced practice nursing. I also enrolled in a healthcare finance course. The coursework was part of my overall strategy to improve skills competencies. If I hope to be a leader, I need to be familiar with a number of different aspects of management and strategic planning, and…
