Exceptional Leadership Profile

Consider the following scenario:

In recognition of your growth as a leader, you have been given the opportunity to join a professional leadership network. As part of your membership, you must create a unique leadership profile that focuses on your passion and your purpose for leadership, as well as your goals. This is your opportunity to present your leadership reflections and perspectives to others in your network and to create connections that may lead to professional experiences in the future.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.

This Assignment is divided into two parts for a total of 8–10 pages. you will complete and submit Part 1 (4–5 pages). You will complete Part 2 (4–5 pages)

WEEKLY RESOURCES

To prepare for this Assignment:

You should first engage in reflection. Self-reflection is an important skill in business, especially for a leader or an aspiring leader. There are a number of different models of reflection that can be utilized; however, one of the more commonly used models is the 5R Framework for Reflection (Bain, et al., 2002), which focuses on five defined stages of reflection: reporting, responding, relating, reasoning, and reconstructing. Using this framework will enable you to produce a critically engaging reflection based on your experiences. Refer to the following table for more information about the framework:
5R Stages Description Guidelines
Reporting

A brief descriptive account of the situation/topic

What happened, what the situation/topic is

Responding

Your emotional/personal response to the situation/topic

Your observations, feelings, questions about the situation/topic

Relating

Personal and theoretical understandings relevant to the situation/topic

Making the connections between the situation/topic and your experience, skills, knowledge, and understanding

Reasoning

Your explanation of the situation/topic

Explaining the situation/topic in terms of the significant factors, relevant theories, and experiences

Reconstruction

Drawing conclusions and developing a future actionable plan

Your deeper level of understanding about the situation/topic that is used to reframe or reconstruct your future practice and further develop your understanding of professional practice (application)

The 5R Framework of Self-Reflection
Adapted from: Bain, J. D., Ballantyne, R., Mills, C., & Lester, N. C. (2002). Reflecting on practice: Student teachers’ perspectives. Post Pressed.

Download the Module 3 Assignment Template (Word document) Download Module 3 Assignment Template (Word document). Note: Be sure to keep a copy of your completed Assignment this week, as you will be adding to the same file for your Week 8 Assignment.

As you reflect on your learning and experiences so far, consider your strengths, weaknesses, skills, and the knowledge you have gained as a leader and a follower—both in the classroom and beyond. With those thoughts in mind, construct Part 1 of your leadership profile, being sure to incorporate examples of personal experiences as well as citations for relevant academic resources from the classroom, the library, and other appropriate scholarly sources.
BY DAY 7
Part 1: Perspectives on Leadership/Leadership Values (4–5 pages)

For the first part of your leadership profile, you will describe how you can/will apply positive leadership skills in pursuit of social change, be it in your professional or personal life. Be sure to incorporate the following:

Emotional Intelligence

Analyze the importance of the five elements of emotional intelligence in being a strong leader: self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, empathy, and motivation. Specifically:
How do these elements affect the leader-follower relationship?
How do they improve a leader’s ability to promote change?
Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Environment

Analyze the interdependency of diversity and inclusion.
Examine what diversity and inclusion look like in the workplace, as well as the benefits of having/developing a diverse working environment.
Summarize how you have worked/will work as a leader to promote diversity and inclusion in your work environment.

The Power of Networking
Based on your personal and professional experiences, examine the relationship of establishing and maintaining a professional network to your own leadership.
How can a strong network benefit both a rising leader and an established leader?
How can the use of networks enhance one’s ability to become an agent of positive social change?
Part 2: Passion and Purpose for Leadership (4–5 pages)
For the second part of your leadership profile, you will share your own “passion and purpose” story, similar to those from Passion and Purpose: Stories From the Best and Brightest Young Business Leaders. Considering your self-reflection, your personal and professional experience, and the other ideas related to leadership that you have explored in your studies so far, address the following:
Create a narrative describing your passion and the purpose you see for yourself. Be sure to address the following questions as you construct your narrative:
What is most important to you in life?
What do you want the focus of your professional life to be?
How do you plan to (or currently) incorporate social responsibility and ethical decision making into your life and work?
What kind of positive difference do you want to make in the world?
Analyze how obtaining your degree at Walden will better equip you to pursue your passion and fulfill your purpose. Be sure to address the following in your analysis:
How do your passion and purpose align to Walden’s mission of positive social change?
How does Walden’s mission impact your experience as you study here—including the knowledge and skills you will take from this program and how that knowledge and those skills will shape your future and support you to make a positive difference?
To prepare for this Assignment:
Read the “Foreword” (pp. iii–viii) and “Introduction” (pp. 1–10), as well as one or more of the following excerpts to review examples of other business leaders’ stories of “passion and purpose.”
Coleman, J., Gulati, D., & Segovia, W. O. (2012). Passion and purpose: Stories from the best and brightest young business leaders. Harvard Business School Publishing.
“Interview with David Gergen: Advisor to Four Presidents, Director of Harvard’s Center for Political Leadership, and Senior Political Analyst for CNN,” pp. 47–54
“Globalization: Embracing the Global Generation,” pp. 55–60 “People: Leading in a Diverse World,” pp. 99–138
“Sustainability: Integrating Preservation and Profits,” pp. 139–170
“Learning: Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders,” pp. 197–202
“Moving Forward,” pp. 243–245
“Capstone Interview With Nitin Nohira: Dean of the Harvard Business School,” pp. 246–253

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Crafting an Exceptional Leadership Profile: Perspectives, Passion, and Purpose

In the realm of professional leadership, the opportunity to join a distinguished leadership network is a testament to one’s growth and potential. As an active member, creating a unique leadership profile becomes a pivotal task, illuminating personal passion, purpose, and aspirations. This profile serves as a platform for sharing leadership reflections and perspectives within the network, fostering connections that can pave the way for transformative professional experiences.

Part 1: Perspectives on Leadership/Leadership Values

Emotional Intelligence: The Pillar of Effective Leadership

Emotional intelligence (EI) stands as a cornerstone of effective leadership, encompassing five integral elements: self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, empathy, and motivation. Each facet of EI plays a pivotal role in shaping the leader-follower relationship and steering change. Through self-awareness, a leader gains insight into their strengths and limitations, fostering authenticity and relatability. Self-regulation empowers leaders to manage emotions, resulting in thoughtful decision-making and resilience in the face of challenges. Social skills enable leaders to communicate, collaborate, and inspire effectively, underpinning the creation of a cohesive team.

Empathy, a potent force in leadership, nurtures understanding and connection. A leader’s ability to comprehend and share the feelings of their team fosters trust and camaraderie. Furthermore, motivation propels leaders to set compelling visions and persevere even in adversity, a trait that sparks enthusiasm and dedication within the team. The confluence of these elements cultivates an environment of psychological safety, where individuals feel valued and empowered, laying a solid foundation for positive change.

Diversity and Inclusion: Catalysts for Innovation

The synergy between diversity and inclusion (D&I) is pivotal in driving innovation and success within an organization. D&I is more than a representation of demographic attributes; it embodies an inclusive mindset that embraces varied perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. In a workplace embracing D&I, teams are enriched by a tapestry of viewpoints, leading to novel solutions and enhanced creativity.

Promoting diversity and inclusion necessitates intentional efforts to ensure equitable opportunities and recognition for all individuals. As a leader, one’s responsibility encompasses creating an environment where diverse voices are heard, and differences are valued. Such an environment not only spurs innovation but also contributes to a harmonious workplace culture, where collaboration flourishes, and individual potential is maximized.

The Power of Networking: Amplifying Leadership Impact

Networking serves as a potent tool in a leader’s arsenal, transcending personal and professional realms. Establishing and nurturing a professional network holds transformative potential. For emerging leaders, a robust network provides access to valuable insights, mentorship, and opportunities. Established leaders, in turn, can leverage their network to forge partnerships, drive initiatives, and disseminate impactful ideas.

Networking is a conduit for sharing experiences, knowledge, and resources. It magnifies the ripple effect of leadership, catalyzing positive social change on a broader scale. Leaders can harness the collective wisdom of their network to tackle complex challenges, driving change that transcends individual efforts.

Part 2: Passion and Purpose for Leadership

Crafting a Narrative of Passion and Purpose

A leadership profile is incomplete without a narrative of personal passion and purpose. This narrative elucidates the essence of what drives a leader, providing insight into their values, aspirations, and envisioned impact. Central to this narrative is the exploration of life’s core priorities and the desired focus of one’s professional journey.

At the heart of this narrative lies the question: What is most vital in life? Reflecting on this, leaders unravel the facets that resonate deeply, driving their dedication. The focus of one’s professional life is a reflection of intrinsic values and skills, aligned with the larger goal of contributing positively to society. The infusion of social responsibility and ethical decision-making in this journey underscores a commitment to principled leadership.

Walden’s Role in Equipping Leaders for Impact

Attaining a degree at Walden University carries profound implications for a leader’s journey. Walden’s mission of positive social change harmonizes seamlessly with the passions and purpose of aspiring leaders. The educational experience at Walden equips leaders with a robust foundation of knowledge and skills, poised to effectuate meaningful transformation.

Walden’s mission serves as a compass guiding leaders towards making a positive difference. The knowledge and skills garnered from the program crystallize into actionable insights, empowering leaders to navigate complexities and drive change effectively. With Walden’s mission as their North Star, leaders embrace their role as change agents, poised to shape a brighter future.

In conclusion, crafting a leadership profile entails a thoughtful exploration of perspectives, passion, and purpose. Emotional intelligence, diversity and inclusion, and networking converge to shape effective leadership, fostering change and collaboration. The narrative of passion and purpose infuses the profile with personal values and aspirations, while Walden University stands as a transformative platform, aligning leaders with their mission of positive social change.

References

Bain, J. D., Ballantyne, R., Mills, C., & Lester, N. C. (2002). Reflecting on practice: Student teachers’ perspectives. Post Pressed.
Coleman, J., Gulati, D., & Segovia, W. O. (2012). Passion and purpose: Stories from the best and brightest young business leaders. Harvard Business School Publishing.