Leadership Styles, Blind Spots, and Self-Improvement – A Personal Exploration

Introduction

In this report, the author explores their top three leadership styles, uncovers potential blind spots that might influence their leadership approach, examines how their personality typology affects leadership effectiveness, identifies organizational environments where they are likely to excel or struggle, and develops SMART goals for self-improvement. Furthermore, the author evaluates their leadership skills as facilitators and negotiators and outlines strategies to enhance their future leadership.

Leadership Styles

The author prefers democratic, participatory, and delegating leadership styles. Democratic leadership involves including team members in decision-making, seeking their input, and recognizing their contributions (Yadav, 2023). Participative leadership encourages open communication and collaborative decision-making. It requires the facilitation of dialogues, offering correct facts, encouraging sharing, summarizing progress, and fostering teamwork (CMOE, n.d.). Delegating leadership is a low-task, relationship-based approach that grants team members autonomy and trust to produce results (Pope, 2020). However, moderate feedback might demotivate self-confident and capable individuals.

Potential Blind Spots

The author’s potential blind spots include conflict aversion, delayed decision-making in high-pressure situations, and lack of detail-oriented participation. As a leader encouraging cooperation and involvement, the author may need assistance in resolving decision-making issues of the team (Smiley, n.d.). Vroom and Yetton (1973) recommend that leaders make judgments alone rather than delegating to team members in high-pressure situations (Rosing et al., 2022). Additionally, the author’s hands-off approach might require more attention to detail, potentially enhancing performance. While laissez-faire leadership can promote self-esteem, it might hinder strategy execution (5 Different Types of Leadership Styles, 2020).

Personality Typology and Leadership

As a democratic and participative leader, the author’s personality type empowers team members, fosters collaboration, and encourages open communication and trust. The author motivates staff by involving them in decision-making and promoting diversity for improved problem-solving and innovation. Their leadership approach fosters an inclusive atmosphere where team members feel heard and respected.

Organizational Environments

The author can actively thrive in collaborative, open work cultures that value team contributions, encourage creativity, and empower employees. However, they may require assistance in high-pressure, fast-paced organizations with strict hierarchies or requiring meticulous attention to detail.

SMART Self-Improvement Goals

The author sets specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for self-improvement:

1. Specific: Improve team conflict management skills.
2. Measurable: Gather feedback from teammates about leadership style and areas for growth to identify blind spots.
3. Achievable: Attend a conflict resolution session and apply the skills in at least three team conflicts within six months.
4. Relevant: Set timelines and involve the team in decision-making while considering urgency to expedite the process.
5. Time-bound: Participate in a leadership development program or coaching sessions to enhance leadership skills.

Leadership Training

The author outlines strategies to improve facilitation and negotiation skills in the workplace:

1. Attend facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution workshops and seminars.
2. Actively listen, empathize, and validate team members during conversations and disagreements.
3. Enhance communication skills to articulate ideas, expectations, and conclusions clearly and persuasively.
4. Encourage learning, skill-building, and team feedback and reflection.
5. Seek mentorship and guidance from experienced facilitators and negotiators.
6. Develop emotional intelligence to facilitate and negotiate effectively.

Conclusion

Understanding leadership styles, blind spots, and personality typology is crucial for the author’s leadership approach. By leveraging strengths and addressing blind spots, the author can improve facilitation and negotiation skills. SMART goals and strategies such as professional development, active listening, and creating a learning culture will contribute to becoming a more effective workplace facilitator and negotiator.

References

5 Different Types of Leadership Styles. (2020, July 9). Small Business – Chron.com. https://smallbusiness.chron.com/5-different-types-leadership-styles-17584.html

CMOE. (n.d.). Participative Leadership Style | Glossary | CMOE. https://cmoe.com/glossary/participative-leadership-style/

Pope, J. (2020, June 19). What is a Delegating Leadership Style? Situational Leadership® Management and Leadership Training. https://situational.com/blog/what-is-a-delegating-leadership-style/

Rosing, F., Boer, D., &Buengeler, C. (2022, August 3). When timing is key: How autocratic and democratic leadership relate to follower trust in emergency contexts. PubMed Central (PMC). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.904605

Smiley, F. (n.d.). Leadership Guide to Conflict and Conflict Management – Leadership in Healthcare and Public Health. Leadership Guide to Conflict and Conflict Management – Leadership in Healthcare and Public Health. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/pubhhmp6615/chapter/leadership-guide-to-conflict-and-conflict-management/

Yadav, M. (2023, April 19). The Power of Democratic Leadership: Empowering Your Team for Success – Risely. Risely. https://www.risely.me/democratic-leadership-for-team-success/