LED601 - Philosophy of Leadership and Ethics

Leadership Philosophy

Philosophy of Leadership and Ethics

LED601: Final Paper Instructions

This assignment is designed to demonstrate thinking about the broader aspects of individual leadership. It asks you to reflect on your values, beliefs, and attitudes, and how they translate to leadership behavior. A personal philosophy of leadership asks you to think about what effective leadership is, and how you strive to attain it.

Submit your final paper to the correct dropbox before the due date. NOTE: The instructor may use Turnitin.com or Safeassign to evaluate the originality of all papers (see NU policies related for “Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism”) available at nu.edu.

Instructions: Writing a Philosophy of Leadership   Students may certainly exercise a degree of latitude with how to organize this paper but one approach to consider is a ten-paragraph format that should culminate in a paper of between five to ten pages. This paper must be structured as an academic essay using formatted with APA, current edition (and not as a Q and A paper).

The following questions are intended to guide and stimulate your critical thinking about the practice and development of leadership.

1. What is the primary purpose of leadership? Clarifying questions: What are leaders supposed to accomplish and why should we engage in leadership?

2. Why should I engage in leadership? Clarifying questions: How would being a leader impact on your attaining your personal goals and objectives?

3. What are my criteria for defining “success” as a leader? Clarifying questions: How will you evaluate your effectiveness as a leader? How much of your success will be based on your internal sense of satisfaction and how much will be determined by externally measurable outcomes defined by others (e.g., profession, community, peers or family)?

4. Assuming that trustworthiness is critical to effective leadership, what traits, skills, and behaviors will gain the trust of those I wish to influence? Clarifying questions: How do you become trustworthy? Is it likely that other members of your team or organization can be trusted?

5. How will I ensure that there is effective communication in my group or organization? Clarifying questions: How do you intend to keep information flowing effectively? Do you expect to create an “open” organizational culture? How will you react to bad news? How will you learn what is really going on in your organization? Do you expect your subordinates to always “speak truth to power?”

6. What are my concepts regarding whom to involve, and when, in the decision-making process in my organization? Clarifying questions: How “decisive” should you be? How “collaborative?” What situational factors will determine which style you will use?

7. What is the proper mode and level of the use of the power of my position as a leader? Clarifying questions: What symbols and privileges will you require to be an effective leader? How will you exercise an appropriate level of control without inappropriately meddling in the activities of others? How will you ensure that you will not abuse the power of your position?

8. How will I maintain some kind of “balance” in life and how will I prioritize the competing loyalties to self, family, religion, community, organization, and profession? Clarifying questions: How will you typically order these priorities understanding that the relative order of priorities may change from time to time based on a specific situation?

9. How will I create an environment that promotes and supports individual and team growth and learning? Clarifying questions: How will you develop an organizational climate that demands high standards of performance and at the same time provide the opportunity to learn, coach, experiment, and innovate? How will you reward appropriate risk taking?

10. What are my guidelines for continuing growth and development as a person and as a leader—my formula for self-assessment and future learning? Clarifying questions: How do you intend to remain current? What is your plan for future growth and learning that is essential for your success or satisfaction? How will you get feedback about the quality of your leadership— your demonstrated strengths and weaknesses?