A Leader's Legacy

Abstract
This paper summarizes my reflection and conclusions from the book A Leader’s Legacy by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. The book has four main parts that covers leadership as it relates to significance, relationships, aspirations, and courage. This paper displays my thoughts on one main point, and gives examples of how this point addressed leadership areas in my own life.

Reflection on a Leader’s Legacy
In the area of leadership, one concept that can cause a leader to quickly lose followers should they neglect to include in their leadership style, is the ideal that great leaders not only lead, but also serve. Putting in the same amount of backbreaking work as ones followers is not usually the first thought that comes to
This organization was focused on empowering young girls in middle school and high school inside and out, through the support of positive growth and change in their communities. I was approached by a leader who was passionate about something that was dear to my heart as a woman, and asked to be on the steering committee. This leader informed me that she needed people beside her who would be willing to assist her in making her vision come to life. She went on to say how passionate she was and how she needed people willing to work as hard as she was to touch the lives of the children who needed to be touched by strong women who were leaders. This was not at all what I found out to be the true leadership style she possessed. I was soon challenged to work in an organization where the leader would literally sit in meetings and state what work she would and would not do and it would be someone else’s job to complete the grunt work. With the bigger picture of changing the lives of the children before us, we as followers began to take on tasks as she took all the glory for our hard work. Out in the community and in the media, our passionate leader was singing the praises of the organization and how hard she was working, never once mentioning her committee. After several
As in any relationship, rather its business or personal, a person does not feel they are valued; they have a lack of respect for their leader. A lack of respect will eventually turn into a lack of production, drive, and eventually, one will seek to become part of something where they are appreciated. Just this week as I had meetings within my job where I am a leader, I have tried to make sure that I am putting in the same work as those whom I lead. I also made it a point this week to point out the skills that the others were bringing to the table and how they were helping us reach our goal. As I continue to grow in the area of leadership, “A Leader’s Legacy” and the concepts presented by the authors will be ones that I will reference. A leader who is willing to adapt their style when presented with a concept that has been proven to be successful, will be a leader who is always evolving, and that’s the type of leader I wish to