Enhancing Leadership Influence: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Growth

QUESTION

general Instructions for Self-Reflection Journal

Once you have completed the all the assessments for the journal assignment,

Briefly summarize each assessment

Identify 1 SMART goal per journal submission (NOT per assessment)

This goal should be focused on the information learned in the assessments and how you can develop or learn more NOW about any opportunities you learned through your self-assessments.

Connect what you have learned through the self-assessments to things you have learned inside or outside of the classroom (experiences, books, articles, discussions)

Self-reflect – what did you learn through the reflection/connection, what surprised you, how may you use this information in real world leadership situations

specific instruction for the journal 3

Self-Assessments to complete. The questions below are OPTIONAL- only to be used to help you provide your journal.

Self-Assessment 5-1: Influencing

Based on the _big 5″ assessment done in 2-1- what does your personality profile tell you about your use of power in 5-1?

How does your personality affect the ways you influence others?

What does it say about what strategies you use? How could you improve?

Self-Assessment 5-2: Use of Political Power

Which of the 4 political skills are you strong in?

Which should you develop more?

Self-Assessment 5-3: Networking

Is this something you feel comfortable doing? How could you build on this

How would you use social media in your career?

Result for the self- assessment 

Results 5-1

You scored a total of 20 points in Surgency.

You scored a total of 25 points in Agreeableness.

You scored a total of 22 points in Adjustment.

You scored a total of 22 points in Conscientiousness.

You scored a total of 23 points in Openness to Experience.

Self-Assessment Survey 5-1

Review the nine influencing tactics. Which ones do you tend to use most often to help you get what you want? Also, review your personality profile self-assessment exercises in Chapter 2.

Surgency/High Need for Power

If you have a high need for power (n Pow), you are apt to try to influence others, and you enjoy it. You tend to hate to lose, and when you don’t get what you want, it bothers you. Thus, you are more likely to use harder methods of influence and power, such as pressure, exchange, coalitions, and legitimization, than other personality types. You probably also like to use rational persuasion and don’t understand why people don’t think or see things the way you do. Be careful; use socialized, rather than personalized, power to influence others.

Agreeableness/High Need for Affiliation

If you have a high need for affiliation (n Aff), you are apt to be less concerned about influencing others and gaining power than about getting along with them. Thus, you are more likely to use softer methods of influence, such as personal and inspirational appeals and ingratiation, as well as rational appeals. You may tend not to seek power, and even avoid it.

Conscientiousness/High Need for Achievement

If you have a high need for achievement (n Ach), you tend to be between the other two approaches to influencing others. You tend to have clear goals and work hard to get what you want, which often requires influencing others to help you. So, you don’t want power for its own sake, only to get what you want. But you like to play by the rules and may tend to use rational persuasion frequently.

Result 5-2

You scored a total of 11 points in Learning the organizational culture and power players.

You scored a total of 25 points in Developing good working relationships, especially with your boss.

You scored a total of 14 points in Being a loyal, honest team player.

Result 5-3

Results

You scored a total of 52 points in Effective Networking.

The highest possible score is 80. If you are a full-time student, you may not score high on networkir that’s okay as you can develop networking skills by following the steps and guidelines in this chaptf

ANSWER

Enhancing Leadership Influence: A Journey of Self-Reflection and Growth

Introduction

In this self-reflection journal, I aim to summarize and connect insights gained from three distinct self-assessments: Influencing, Use of Political Power, and Networking. Each assessment provides a unique lens into my leadership style, shedding light on areas of strength and opportunities for development.

Summary of Assessments

Self-Assessment 5-1: Influencing In this assessment, my personality profile revealed scores across five dimensions: Surgency, Agreeableness, Adjustment, Conscientiousness, and Openness to Experience. The scores indicated a balanced profile with notable strengths in Surgency and Agreeableness. The influencing tactics associated with these traits were identified, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to leadership.

Self-Assessment 5-2: Use of Political Power Focused on organizational culture, power dynamics, and relationship-building, this assessment gauged my proficiency in key areas. High scores in developing working relationships, especially with superiors, suggested a strength in interpersonal dynamics. However, the need for improvement in understanding organizational culture and power players was identified, prompting a strategic goal for growth.

Self-Assessment 5-3: Networking Scoring 52 out of 80 in Effective Networking highlighted a moderate proficiency in this crucial leadership skill. Recognizing the importance of networking in career development, the assessment prompted consideration of strategies to enhance networking abilities, particularly in the context of social media.

SMART Goal for Journal Submission: Based on the assessments, my SMART goal for this journal submission is to actively develop a deeper understanding of organizational culture and power players within my professional sphere. This involves engaging in targeted learning opportunities, seeking mentorship, and leveraging experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Connections to Classroom Learning: The insights from these assessments resonate with concepts learned in the classroom, aligning with discussions on leadership styles, organizational behavior, and interpersonal dynamics. The interplay between personality traits and influencing tactics echoes theoretical frameworks explored in academic settings.

Self-Reflection and Surprises: Through this self-reflection, I discovered the need to balance my high Surgency and Agreeableness scores in influencing situations. The surprising realization that a nuanced approach, combining both soft and hard influence tactics, can yield more effective results was eye-opening. This information is invaluable for real-world leadership scenarios where adaptability is key.

Application in Real-World Leadership: The knowledge gained from these assessments will be directly applicable in real-world leadership situations. Understanding my strengths and areas for growth allows me to tailor my leadership approach, fostering more authentic and impactful interactions with team members, superiors, and peers. The goal of enhancing networking skills aligns with the practical demands of leadership in a dynamic professional landscape.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this self-reflection journal serves as a roadmap for my leadership development journey. By setting a SMART goal, connecting classroom learning to practical experiences, and embracing surprises, I am equipped to navigate the complexities of leadership, fostering growth and adaptability in the ever-evolving landscape of professional leadership.