Leaders Are Made
Leaders Are Made
By: Dwayne Mathis
4/3/2014
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
MGMT 591
Professor Joel Bunkowske, Instructor
The question was asked in our class discussion this week, “Are leaders born or made?” This is one of the most often asked questions about leadership. People have varying opinions on this subject. My opinion is that leaders are made. To lead people effectively is a very complex undertaking. No one is born with the necessary tools to be a good leader. I choose to believe that leaders are made, not born, because I want to believe that I can develop into a good leader even though I was not born with certain traits. Our lecture last night focused on some traits normally associated with good leaders: energy, stress management, self-confidence, tenaciousness, social intelligence, and integrity. Some of these traits can be used to describe me but there are a few in which I need further development. Leaders are successful for many different reasons, but most importantly is an ability to connect with people. Great connections are energetic. It is important for a leader to exude positive energy because the leader sets the tone for the entire organization. Employees have to feel committed to the vision for future success. They have to feel motivated, energized. I know that I have the ability to be energetic in the workplace as a potential leader. I’ve been energy- deficient in my current position, probably because my supervisor has not connected with me nor does he exude any positive energy. I am grateful for this experience because it has taught me first-hand how damaging a leader with no energy can be to an employee’s morale. The ability to manage stress and self-confidence go hand-in-hand in my opinion. There may be days where the future of your company is worrisome and things aren’t going according to plan. It is important, as a leader, not to panic. Part of your job is to put out fires
By: Dwayne Mathis
4/3/2014
Leadership and Organizational Behavior
MGMT 591
Professor Joel Bunkowske, Instructor
The question was asked in our class discussion this week, “Are leaders born or made?” This is one of the most often asked questions about leadership. People have varying opinions on this subject. My opinion is that leaders are made. To lead people effectively is a very complex undertaking. No one is born with the necessary tools to be a good leader. I choose to believe that leaders are made, not born, because I want to believe that I can develop into a good leader even though I was not born with certain traits. Our lecture last night focused on some traits normally associated with good leaders: energy, stress management, self-confidence, tenaciousness, social intelligence, and integrity. Some of these traits can be used to describe me but there are a few in which I need further development. Leaders are successful for many different reasons, but most importantly is an ability to connect with people. Great connections are energetic. It is important for a leader to exude positive energy because the leader sets the tone for the entire organization. Employees have to feel committed to the vision for future success. They have to feel motivated, energized. I know that I have the ability to be energetic in the workplace as a potential leader. I’ve been energy- deficient in my current position, probably because my supervisor has not connected with me nor does he exude any positive energy. I am grateful for this experience because it has taught me first-hand how damaging a leader with no energy can be to an employee’s morale. The ability to manage stress and self-confidence go hand-in-hand in my opinion. There may be days where the future of your company is worrisome and things aren’t going according to plan. It is important, as a leader, not to panic. Part of your job is to put out fires