What did you learn about yourself and others that would help you as a leader?

Carly Fiorina had seldom delegated power and responsibilities to others. While CEO and chairman of Hewlett Packard Company, Carly decided by herself on most operations and even when she was asked to leave, she refused. Finally, she stated that she would respect the board's decision.

The manager must be able to adapt the theoretical knowledge to the practical tasks in order to retrieve the best organizational results. The power to influence others is a vital characteristic of the manager, but it must not be abused of, for it will cause more harm than good.

Cornerstones of Success Dimensions

What information did you learn about yourself from the assessment instruments in Week 4 in the following areas? Not all areas may apply to the instruments(s) you completed.

One-on-one communication

One-on-one communication is highly important when the leader wishes to influence his subordinates. He can also influence them through group communications, but in order to increase his power, one-on-one communication is desirable

Group communication

Can be used as a means of mass influencing, but it is less efficient that one-on-one communications

Feedback

Limited with the level of influence and politics within an organization

Clarity

Limited if any

Conflict management

Since conflict is likely to arise, an influential manager has extensive power of resolving the conflict

Open-mindedness

Must be present in the case of employees in order for them not be negatively influenced by the leader

Valuing others

Must be shown by the leader or other operational managers to show that they value and respect their employees

Influence

The managers described in this section have great power of influence and they may or may not use to the benefit of the organization

Additional reflection: The capability to influence others, turn them towards the direction desired by the company is a quality for the manager, but he must be aware not to abuse of it. For instance, a good usage of its capability would be to unify the individual goals of the employees with the overall goal of the organization. A negative example would be to pursue subordinates to conceal company records from auditors and state officials.

Personal Leadership Journal, Week 5

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The Teamwork Checklist

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The Teamwork Checklist is a highly valuable tool to measuring the commitment and involvement of each team member in resolving the task.

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Overcoming Micromanagement

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Since micromanagement is dangerous for an organization, it needs to be quickly identified and eliminated.

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Estimating Valences for Applying Expectancy Theory

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The valences differ from an organization to another and can even vary from an individual to another, moreover when individuals have different needs and are motivated by different incentives

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My Approach to Motivating Others

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We have to understand that the various needs of people generate an even grater need for customized incentives. The workers can't all be stimulated through a single incentive, but the incentive must be personalized

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Characteristics of an Effective Coach

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He must know how to motivate his team, how to understand and relate to their needs and how to satisfy these needs

Reflect on: The Solo Leader vs. The Team Leader. What did you learn about yourself and others that would help you as a leader?

Both the solo leaders as well as the team leaders play important roles within organizations. In order to be an efficient leader, one must possess theoretical knowledge, practical training and personal skills

Cornerstones of Success Dimensions

What information did you learn about yourself from the assessment instruments in Week 5 in the following areas? Not all areas may apply to the instruments(s) you completed.

One-on-one Communication

Can be used to identify the particular needs of individuals in order to offer the best incentives

Group Communication

Highly important when it comes to managing a team and motivating its members

Feedback

Clarity

All incentives used to motivate the workers must be clearly and out loud stated as to not create any misunderstandings

Conflict management

Open-mindedness

Given that the people are driven by various needs and wants, the manager must keep and opened mind at all times in order to identify the needs and present the employees with the possibility...

For instance, one might be motivated by more money, whereas another by more flexible work schedule.
Personal Leadership Journal, Week 6

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The Creative Personality Test

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It's a good tool that allows us to see ourselves from another perspective

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Word Hints to Creativity

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Also useful to increase the creativity of the team; gathers more information from several individuals

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Assessing the Climate for Innovation

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Innovation is once again a must for the success of a business, but one must know when to implement it and in what terms, otherwise it could turn out the opposite effects

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Self-Portrait of My Communication Effectiveness

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Also a useful tool that allows us to take another view at our personal capabilities, but from a different perspective

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Cross-Cultural Skills and Attitudes

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Given that a leader has to work with numerous individuals with diverse backgrounds, he must be able to relate to all cultures

Reflect on: Creativity, Innovation and Leadership and Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills. What did you learn about yourself and others that would help you as a leader?

However the two sets are different, they are both equally important within a team and organization. The manager has to be creative and stimulate the innovative spirit of his subordinates, but be must also support good communications and resolve and arousing conflicts

Cornerstones of Success Dimensions

What information did you learn about yourself from the assessment instruments in Week 1 in the following areas? Not all areas may apply to the instruments(s) you completed.

One-on-one communication

One-on-one communication can develop creativity and innovation

Group Communication

More than one-on-one communication, group communication can support and develop creativity and innovation

Feedback

The feedback given to others' ideas as well as the feedback received for your own ideas is highly important

Clarity

Conflict Management

The conflicts arousing with creativity and innovation can be subjective, but they must be resolved in a professional manner. Conflicts may also arise due to cultural differences and in resolving them, the leader must be impartial. He may even use creativity to resolve conflicts

Open-mindedness

It is highly important to keep an open mind in order to support creativity and innovation

Valuing Others

Also highly important to show team members that their ideas are valued in order to support and increase creativity

Influence

Creativity and innovation must not be free, rather than biased and influenced by internal and external forces

Additional reflection: The personal qualities of the leader once again prove their compulsory character

Personal Leadership Journal, Week 7

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Are You a Strategic Thinker?

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Strategic thinking is vital for the long-term success of the company and it has to be encouraged at all organizational levels, from executive to operational management

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Do You Work for a Learning Organization?

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In my opinion, all organizations should be learning organizations. In a world that constantly changes, companies need to learn how to identify and adapt to the modifications of the micro and macro environments

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Charting your Cultural Value Profile

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Important to know where one stands in report to other cultures, how much knowledge they have of other cultures, how to understand and cross cultural barriers

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Social Style

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