Defining Leadership: Values, Reflection, and Team Expectations

Defining Leadership

Leadership can be defined as the practice of guiding and empowering others to achieve mutually beneficial goals. Depending on the specific scenario, leadership manifests in multiple forms and dimensions. Some leaders act as managers, delegating authority to team members while providing a cohesive vision for the future. Other leaders are more thoroughly visionary or charismatic, and rely on others to handle the practical aspects of management. All leaders share a sense of vision and purpose, along with a desire to mentor and guide with the goal of effecting positive change.

Excitement and Motivation for Leading

I am excited about being a leader because I have a lot of energy and passion to share, and leadership allows me to channel that energy and passion into something constructive and tangible. A position of leadership allows me to work with others to help all of us achieve common goals. I am excited to improve myself — especially in the areas of public speaking and communication. Stretching beyond my comfort zone is also important to me, as leadership involves being challenged every day. I am excited about the confidence that leadership will inspire, and the clear rewards that leaders earn in terms of status, personal gratification, and remuneration. Leadership also allows me to put my skills and learning to meaningful use.

Core Values in Leadership

My key values are honesty, integrity, passion, and empowerment. Without honesty and integrity, a team cannot survive. Without passion, however, a team cannot succeed. I therefore place great emphasis on passion in my approach to leadership. Leaders need honesty and integrity, or they will lack the credibility required to succeed in the long run. The importance of passion is less celebrated because it is an elusive concept. A leader must have both vision and the passion to ensure that vision comes to fruition through hard work and determination.

Empowerment is another value that many leaders overlook or conveniently forget. It is too easy for a leader to become consumed by their own status and power and to refrain from sharing that power with others. Sharing power, in fact, has the effect of strengthening both the leader and the members of the team. Empowering others means encouraging them, supporting them, and helping them become the leaders of the future. When team members are empowered, they consistently exceed expectations.