Leader Identity Narrative

Leader Identity Narrative

Scott Anderson

OGL 482

Course Instructor: Andi Hess

11.03.2023
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Leader Identity Narrative

Throughout my leadership journey, I have learned that the most important aspect

of succeeding in any field is understanding its nuances. Whether it’s in a fast-paced

business environment or a charity organization, awareness of the specifics of the

industry is crucial. I have encountered many unexpected challenges along the way, but

I’ve always followed my guiding principles of serving others and acting with integrity.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to lead and mentor individuals

from various sectors, including business, education, and government. My vast

experience has given me a wealth of knowledge to draw from. I believe that by

connecting your past experiences to your current goals, you can create a roadmap that

will help you achieve your objectives and become the leader you aspire to be. As I

reflect on my past, I grew up in the low class where education, parent involvement, and

health care were not as much a concern as it was for my parents to get to work and

keep a roof over our heads. When I graduate college, I will be the first in our family’s

history to receive a higher education. The reality that I watched my mother and father

work their way out of the lower class into upper middle class let me feel I had a chance.

I didn’t do well in school but still hung around the people who were “successful” id often

hear them talk about their paths as if they knew exactly what they were going to do,

make, live, etc. Listening to future success stories discouraged me at times because I

knew I couldn’t get into a college or afford an education. So, I started working harder at

sports in hopes of earning a scholarship. Again, my parents weren’t very supportive of

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my education or sports. They were still in the mindset of working hard to make it to the

top. I was eventually spoken to about scholarships in track and wrestling, but I could not

hold up my grades and ended up losing my opportunity. How could I know my future like

the rest of the successful kids? I would ask myself. Around this time my brother was

shipped off to Iraq for the invasion of Bagdad. He was successful in the military despite

our upbringing. This directed me to look into the military and its values. After aligning

with the organization’s core values, I found it to be a good fit for me. After 10 years in

service with combat deployments and other various types of deployments, I ended my

military career as a Platoon Sergeant due to wounds received in combat. The

leadership lessons and experience did not place me in a different class when I got out. I

was back in the lower class upon my exit. With my abilities and values as a leader, I

was able to work my way into a career. I started out working two jobs while obtaining my

trade degree. While in my trade, I inquired about different types of education my

company could send me to so that I didn’t have to pay for it. This saved me money and

eventually increased my pay. As I began to receive more education in the trade, I used

my military benefits to learn how to run a business. As I reflected on my journey, I

realized how adaptable I was and that most of my career focused on coaching, training,

and development. This led me to look for a career that focused on training development

within my trade. After a year of participating in the field, I found a position that aligned

with my new vision and leadership style. As an adaptive leader I was able to gain

employment as an instructional designer for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning

company.
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Leadership is all about understanding how to adapt to different situations and

challenges as they arise. I have always approached my work as a expert with this

mindset, which means consistently assessing the styles that are most effective in each

unique moment. Through my research within the Organizational leadership program

and experience, I am confident in my ability to recognize these moments and leverage

the right leadership style to create the best possible outcome for everyone involved.

Because my kids are so important to me, I would sacrifice everything to see them

succeed with my full undivided support. My hard work and perseverance will hopefully

reflect into their lives. My ultimate goal is to instill a sense of hope and determination in

the minds of my kids. I want them to know that success is well within their reach and

attainable. I am committed to providing them with the resources and support they need

to achieve their goals and aspirations. With me, a young generation will have a mentor

they can trust and rely on to help them become successful in their pursuits.