Readings: Post, J. (2017). 4 Ways to Define Leadership. Business News Daily. Available from: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3647-leadership-definition.htmlMachiavelli, N., & Wootton, D. (1995)

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Readings:

  • Post, J. (2017). 4 Ways to Define Leadership. Business News Daily.  Available from:  http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/3647-leadership-definition.html
  • Machiavelli, N., & Wootton, D. (1995). The Prince. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co. Available through the Gutenberg Project: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1232/1232-h/1232-h.htm; please read chapter 21 about the issues surrounding the reputation and public image of a leader
  • Stone, A.G. and Patterson, K. (2005) The History of Leadership Focus.  Regent University, Servant Leadership Research Roundtable.  Retrieved from: .
  • N.A. (2010). 5 lessons businesses can learn from Wikileaks.  Rueters Blog. Available from: http://blogs.reuters.com/small-business/2010/12/13/5-lessons-businesses-can-learn-from-wikileaks/
  • N.A. (N.D.) Leadership Theory and Models.  University of Pretoria.

Leadership

Part 1

Based on this unit’s readings and a Wikileaks example, please find a piece of CURRENT NEWS, analyze it and write up your suggested five lessons in sequence and priority from the most important to the less important that you as a leader would want to learn from.  DF post requirements:

  • Minimum of 300-words for your original post, use your own words only and reference your sources in apa format.

Part 2

Take the Least Preferred Coworker Scale by Fiedler and find out if you are a relationship-oriented or task-oriented leader. Note your scores and comment on your opinion about the validity of this test as well as possible leanings in your leadership development.

Part 3

Visit, read, and register with the University of Pennsylvania Test Center at: http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/questionnaires.aspx.

Take the VIA Signature Survey (240 questions) of Character Strengths. You will be provided with your top five character strengths at the end of the survey. By clicking on the “View All” tab located at the bottom of the page, you will be able to scroll down to get the five character descriptors of your lowest scores. Please read the full description of your 24 character descriptors paying special attention to the five strongest and the five weakest characteristics.

Use these scores to write an essay about you as a Developing Leader where you describe yourself as a leader first, state if you are in agreement with the assessment, explain why (or why not) and state what qualities you will be strengthening and what qualities you will be trying to minimize or develop throughout this course and why. Use examples from the past as well as specifics on how you intend to develop leadership characteristics. Indicate how you can be of help to your peers to help others in their quest for developing leadership.

Part 1: Lessons from a Current News Example

Title: “Cybersecurity Breach Exposes Sensitive Customer Data: Lessons for Leaders”

In a recent cybersecurity breach, a major technology company experienced a massive data leak, exposing sensitive customer information. As a leader, there are several important lessons to learn from this incident, which can help prevent similar crises and enhance leadership effectiveness:

Lesson 1: Prioritize Cybersecurity and Data Protection (Priority: Most Important)
The primary lesson is to prioritize cybersecurity and data protection within the organization. Leaders must invest in robust security measures, regularly update their systems, and educate employees about the importance of safeguarding customer data. This includes implementing encryption, two-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring to detect and respond to potential threats.

Lesson 2: Transparency and Communication (Priority: High)
Transparent communication with stakeholders is crucial during a crisis. Leaders must proactively address the breach, inform affected customers, and offer solutions. Maintaining open lines of communication fosters trust and shows accountability, mitigating reputational damage.

Lesson 3: Learn from Past Incidents (Priority: High)
Leaders should analyze past cybersecurity incidents, including those of other companies, like the Wikileaks example mentioned in the readings. Learning from these incidents can help identify potential vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and best practices to enhance the organization’s security posture.

Lesson 4: Develop a Crisis Management Plan (Priority: Medium)
Having a well-defined crisis management plan in place is essential. Leaders must assemble a crisis response team, outline roles and responsibilities, and conduct regular drills to ensure preparedness. An efficient response plan can minimize the impact of a breach and facilitate a quicker recovery.

Lesson 5: Evaluate Third-Party Relationships (Priority: Medium)
Leaders should carefully assess the cybersecurity practices of third-party vendors or partners who have access to the organization’s data. Ensuring that these partners adhere to robust security measures reduces the risk of potential breaches through external avenues.

Part 2: Least Preferred Coworker Scale

After taking the Least Preferred Coworker Scale, I found that I lean more towards being a relationship-oriented leader. This means that I tend to base my leadership decisions and actions on the quality of interpersonal relationships with my coworkers. I prioritize teamwork, collaboration, and ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of my team members.

Regarding the validity of this test, the Least Preferred Coworker Scale is a classic psychological measurement tool used to determine an individual’s leadership orientation. While it provides valuable insights into one’s leadership style, it should not be the sole determinant of leadership effectiveness. Leadership is a complex trait influenced by various factors, including situational context, organizational culture, and the nature of the task at hand.

As a relationship-oriented leader, I believe that fostering strong relationships and open communication with my team is crucial in creating a positive work environment. However, I recognize the importance of task-oriented leadership in certain situations where clear direction and focus on achieving specific goals are necessary.

Part 3: Developing as a Leader

According to the VIA Signature Survey, my top five character strengths are: 1) Leadership, 2) Curiosity, 3) Fairness, 4) Love of Learning, and 5) Judgment. My five lowest character strengths are: 1) Modesty, 2) Humility, 3) Self-Regulation, 4) Forgiveness, and 5) Prudence.

As a developing leader, I agree with the assessment as it aligns with my self-perception and feedback received from others. I have always been inclined to take on leadership roles, driven by my curiosity to learn and improve while ensuring fairness and just decision-making. However, I recognize the need to strengthen certain qualities and minimize others to become a well-rounded leader.

To strengthen my leadership characteristics, I will focus on enhancing my self-regulation and forgiveness abilities. As a leader, it’s essential to remain composed under pressure and regulate emotions to make rational decisions. Additionally, developing forgiveness will help in handling conflicts and building stronger relationships within the team.

Simultaneously, I will work on minimizing my tendencies towards excessive modesty and humility. While humility is valuable, overly downplaying achievements may hinder my ability to assert myself confidently as a leader when necessary.

Throughout this course, I intend to participate actively, engage with course materials, and seek feedback from peers and instructors. I will utilize various leadership development resources to enhance my self-regulation and forgiveness skills. Reflective exercises and seeking coaching or mentorship from experienced leaders will also aid my growth.

As a peer, I am committed to supporting others in their quest for developing leadership. I will be available to listen, provide constructive feedback, and encourage them to leverage their unique character strengths to become effective leaders. By fostering a supportive learning environment, we can collectively enhance our leadership abilities and contribute positively to our organizations and communities.

In conclusion, leadership development is an ongoing journey of self-awareness and improvement. By leveraging my top character strengths and addressing areas for growth, I aim to become a well-balanced and impactful leader. Through collaboration and support from peers, we can collectively empower each other to excel in our leadership roles and make a positive difference in the world.