Leadership

ASSIGNMENT I

MARCH 25, 2024

Thuy DUong Dinh
20832317
I.
Leadership is the responsibility of encouraging a group of individuals to take
action to achieve specific goals. It involves not only directing and instructing
others but also inspiring and guiding them to bring forth the best values for the
success of the organization (Curphy, 2021).

The style of leadership has transformed due to a series of recent events and
significant societal changes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders have
adapted their leadership styles. They have transitioned from a focus on command
and control to prioritizing collaboration, empathy, and humility, to ensure the
sustainability of their organizations. They have also recognized the importance of
managing the emotional aspects of work (Linvill & Onosu, 2023)

II.
Recognizing the strengths of individuals is of great importance to leaders, as it
enables them to harness these strengths for optimal job performance and inspire
other team members. Moreover, it assists leaders in assigning tasks reasonably and
making strategic decisions that are advantageous to them (Courtney, 2019). For
example, currently, I am interning in the marketing department of a tech company.
Our department manager is exceptional in many aspects. She can confidently
address and negotiate with a large audience. She also recognizes my strengths in
graphic design and event organization. As a result, she has connected me with
various team members in the department to collaborate on projects.

In contrast, when it comes to weaknesses, leaders simply need to have timely

awareness and find ways to overcome them, such as seeking external advisory and
training. This is because studies indicate that leaders who are adept at leveraging
their strengths tend to be more self-assured and experience less stress (Suner,
2020).

Until using the example of my manager, despite having numerous admirable

leadership skills, she lacks proficiency in office computer skills. As a result, she
sought assistance from team members to help her with tasks such as creating plans
in Google Sheets and drafting contracts.

In conclusion, although improving weaknesses is necessary, leaders should

prioritize the development of their strengths to achieve the highest possible
effectiveness in their endeavors.

III.
Leadership style is not fixed and unchangeable; it is flexible and adaptable. A great
leader is someone who can adjust their style to fit every situation.

The transformational leadership style is defined by leaders who inspire and

motivate their teams to work towards a shared vision. These leaders are often
charismatic and prioritize driving change by challenging existing norms and
fostering creativity and innovation. They possess adaptability as they strive to
inspire and align diverse individuals with the goals of the organization (Daft,
2022).

Democratic leadership, also known as participative leadership, involves leaders

seeking input from team members for decision-making, promoting engagement
and creative solutions. However, it may lead to slower decision-making and not be
suitable for all situations (Daft, 2022).
Both styles demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of leaders within an organization. They
illustrate that a great leader is someone who can recognize the needs and styles of each
individual in their team and connect with them.

References
Courtney, E. A. (2019). Understanding Leadership Strengths in the Workplace.
Positive Leadership. https://positivepsychology.com/leadership-strengths/

Curphy, G. (2021). What is leadership? [Video file]. In The Business &

Management Collection, Henry Stewart Talks. https://hstalks-
com.ez.library.latrobe.edu.au/bm/4732/.

Linvill, J.S. & Onosu, G.O. (2023). Stories of Leadership: Leading with Empathy
through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability 2023, 15, 7708.
https://doi.org/10.3390/su15097708
Daft, R. L. (2022). The Leadership Experience (8th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Suner, E. (2020). Why Leaders Should Focus On Strengths, Not Weaknesses.

Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2020/02/06/why-
leaders-should-focus-on-strengths-not-weaknesses/?sh=209c02983d1a