The Practice of Morning Pages

Question:

Discuss about the Impact on Leadership Style and Organizational.

The practice of self-reflection and self-awareness for those in leadership position backdates to thousands of years ago during the era of ancient philosophers and teachers.  Even though many leaders avoid making self-reflection, Nesbit (2012), argues that self-reflection is the key to effective leadership. Personally, I have to improve my leadership skills. Nurturing my leadership skills requires me to be aware of my values and behaviors, strengths and weaknesses, and ways through which we tend to influence other people. As such, self-reflection is about understanding our leadership styles. Moreover, Branson (2007), asserts that being self-aware enable us to understand how our values are congruent with our behavior. This will enable us to develop a culture of respecting the people we interact with and ourselves. In whatever we do, relating with people mutually enhance our professionalism and the organizational culture. For example, in the school set up, my interaction with teachers and fellow students have contributed immensely to my current leadership stature. This leadership reflective journal will highlight my strengths, weaknesses, and some of the strategies that will enhance my leadership competencies.

As stated by Cameron (2016), morning pages is a longhand three-page, a stream of consciousness writing usually done first thing in the morning. It provokes, synchronize, prioritize, cajole, comfort, and clarify the day at hand. Besides, it entails putting anything on three pages a day and others on subsequent days. In line with Cameron (2016) assertions, the following formed my seven-week morning pages. And for purposes of this report, I will be presenting my documentation of every Monday of the week.

On that Monday morning, I drew a pen in my journal. Pens in our society are very important. People use pens to write sit in exams which gauge their understanding of the course material. Moreover, in the kindergarten, teachers use pens to teach us how to write which has a great influence in who we become in the future. According to Bean (2011), writing enable us to capture great ideas in life besides helping us to speed things in life. We can always note things that we encounter shortly. Leaders, on the other hand, carry pens wherever they go to highlight important stuff and improve motor skills. Bean (2011), concurs that when you note something, it will be very difficult to forget. That is why I often write short notes whenever am in a lecture hall so that I do not forget any important point. Intrinsically, leaders value pens, so do I.

My Leadership Strengths

In week two, I noted down the topics I read, communication skills. Communication is very important in the society. Leaders who can communicate effectively have the power to influence the course of any action. On that morning, I learned the importance of effective communication in an organization which includes; building and maintaining good relationships and helping in facilitating innovation (Maguire and Pitceathly 2002). Notably, effective communication helps in building an effective team. A skill I acquired by constantly organizing students when we wanted to perform a task. In a work setting, I learned that effective communication skills help in managing employees which ultimately contribute to the growth of the company.

I drew an image of a donkey. In our society, donkeys are often our servants, so does leaders. Donkeys help in performing a difficult task at home by carrying luggages. They often work without complaining and in the process inspire change in the community. From that image, I saw myself severing people tirelessly and staying focused on my goals and ambitions. I endeavor to work extra hard to achieve my goals of becoming the president one day.

That Monday morning, I just work up and read the bible. I studied the book of Galatians. In particular, chapter 6 verse 9 was very encouraging, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” That verse encouraged me to be a good leader and stay focus on whatever I do, never to give up because my reward will surely come. As a leader, I find refuge in this verse.

I drew my dream house. A house provides us with a shelter which is a basic need. In leadership, our character resembles a house. Whenever we encounter problems, our character defines us. Same to after a long day at work or from any activity, we retire in our houses to relax. I will endeavor to build a strong character which will encourage my peers to change their wrongdoing. Lanctot and Irving (2007) observe that good character makes a good name, and a good name possess riches. Therefore, as a leader, maintaining good character is the ultimate goal.

Instead of reading and planning my day, I just visited the gym to exercise. Regular physical activity has several benefits such as helping in controlling weight, combating health conditions and diseases, improves mood, and boosting personal energy (Chou, Hwang and Wu 2012). Being fit is a way of staying alert and focused since there is an elimination of boredom. Successful leaders usually make it a routine to exercise regularly. It helps freshen the brain which consequently improves our reasoning on every aspect of life (Chou, Hwang and Wu 2012).

My Leadership Weaknesses

I read “Think Big” by Ben Carson and noted important lessons. Some of the victory lessons learned include; success is what we do with our ability by incorporating our talents (Carson and Murphey 2005). I also learned that dreaming higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean is the key to achieving greatness. Additionally, I learned that taking risk is very vital because when we do not, we will only regret on things that we did not do (Carson and Murphey 2005).  As such, leaders have a call of taking a risk to work on their ambitions. Personally, I will always follow my dreams since from that, I shall impact the society and world at large.

People possess different leadership traits that drive their lives. In particular, I possess various leadership strengths which include; sociability, integrity, determination, self-confidence, and intelligence.

According to Northouse (2014), high levels of reasoning, perceptual ability, and strong verbal ability appear to make one a better leader. Basing an argument on this supposition, I can say I exhibit these qualities. Whenever I communicate, my verbal ability shows comprehension of verbal information and verbal reasoning. My classmates sometimes compare me with great orators like Martin Luther King Junior. Moreover, my reasoning and perceptual ability reflect attentiveness to detail whenever I interact with my fellow students. I often take time to listen and digest the information before talking. Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee (2013) identify such traits with leaders all over the globe.

When a person is self-confident, people can easily identify his skills, and competencies and people believe in them as change agents possess self-assurance and high levels of self-esteem. Self-confidence enables leaders to influence the action of other people positively in the society. My self-confidence reflected in instances where I took challenges in life. Particularly, undertaking opportunities to start a business while at school. According to De Cremer and Van Knippenberg (2004), it requires self-confidence to change the society, more so taking a step to work on the maiden dream. Many people often wish to start doing something but it takes self-confident individuals like me to begin.

According to Northouse (2014), determination refers to the drive, dominance, persistence, initiative, and intrinsic desire to get things done. Such characteristics only exist in leaders who do not have a limit with their desire to achieve greatness. Whenever we are given assignments in class, I do take my time to research adequately and in good time and submit my papers. Mart (2013), observes that such traits help leaders persevere when faced with challenges and thus become more proactive.

Leadership Strategies

One of my key strengths is personal integrity. My friends usually tell me that I possess a high degree of reliability, loyalty, trustworthiness, and honesty. Even though some of my classmates at times copy assignments from fellow students, I regard that behavior as an insult to my personal integrity. As such, I usually give a personal approach to assignments and exams without seeking for external help. Furthermore, I attended my secondary education in Catholic community school which required students to embrace gospel values. That experience helped nurture my leadership skills, attitude, and self-discipline which are key to becoming responsible, capable, and confident in the society.

Leaders who are sociable often seek to be sensitive to others’ needs, diplomatic, tactful, courteous, outgoing, and friendly (Stronge 2007). Leaders like me often interact with people. This played a crucial role in bringing my fellow students together whenever we experience a problem in class. Talking to teachers is essentially seamless to me. I find it very easy to talk to visitors and those from the neighborhoods. Such qualities have helped me win negotiations that my peers regard as impossible. Nevertheless, I always identify people as who they are, a people pleaser without looking down upon them. As the eldest child, I often work to unite the family. I always achieve this by honoring special occasions and anniversaries that make people smile. My classmates and friends always tell me that I am a good listener. In reality, I do honor my personal relationships, the happiness, and success of my friends.

Being an industrious student, I find it very difficult to delegate tasks given in a group. When teachers give group assignments, I usually take the responsibility of bringing the members together but fail to delegate different sections. I feel that I am the best in doing things and if I delegate any responsibility, then, they will not handle it adequately since I fear to fail.

Perfectionism is the act of wanting to offer the best (Kutlesa and Arthur 2008). Considering the fact that I am very intelligent, I always endeavor to give my best to tasks assigned or in whatever I contribute. This at times becomes tiresome since I give a lot of concentration to deliver the best. Moreover, it makes me be in wrong paths with friends since I expect them to meet my standards of delivery in everything we do together. Though it works to my advantage, it is strenuous and cannot hold ground for long when there are several responsibilities to execute.

Conclusion

Owing to my level of intelligence and planning skills, I always endeavor to plan my activities in advance and portion adequate time to handle them. I usually do these activities to avoid pressure that comes with deadline tasks. As such, I don’t fancy activities that have pressure as it at times renders me helpless an anxious to perform. Besides, when under pressure, I will just smile or feel frightened to reason and give the best of my ability.

One of my personal strengths is integrity. Therefore, I am always too honest to lie even in situations that require a lie to save a state of affairs. I feel it is unethical to lie as it compromises on my personal integrity. Despite Steinel, Utz, and Koning (2010) arguing that lying is healthy, I am quite uneasy to lie thus at times when I mess in some circumstances. Even when I cannot answer a question in an exam room, I do not glimpse my neighbor’s work.

As an intelligent and hardworking leader, I sometimes find myself taking many risks at a time. My pursuit for change often pushes me to multi-task thus becoming overworked. Though leaders should have programs and schedules on what they do, I tend to achieve many goals at a go. For example, despite being a student, I also engage in income generating activity in addition to mentoring my neighbors’ children. I offer private coaching to students, teaching them how to play tennis where I get paid every end month.

Improving leadership competence requires taking bold steps and strategies in every decision that comes on the way (Bolden and Gosling 2006). When faced with situations, stopping as asking oneself how a leader would react is a gateway to changing personal behaviors. Consequently, seeing oneself as a leader inspires hope, acknowledges competence, and enlarge ones influence on others. After self-reflection, the next activity is to take maiden action to change the situation at hand.

As if taking action is not enough, one needs to learn every step of the journey by leading the relationship with people. This entails becoming proactive, creative, and collaborative with every aspect of change (Contino 2004). Furthermore, on the path for change, one needs to manage personal stress and anxiety that might interfere with the working process. In particular, one can meditate, relax, getting enough sleep, healthy eating, and exercise. All in all, cultivating the right attitude is very important in achieving maiden goals. When an individual adhere to all these strategies to the letter, then achieving leadership competence becomes an easy task.

In the current situation, overcoming my leadership challenges involves getting over my weaknesses. This involves avoiding taking many risks, planning to avoid pressure, minimize on perfectionism, at least delegate duties and at times lie to save a situation. One of the personal goals at hand is avoiding taking many risks. As a student, I should stay focus and avoid overworking which is tiresome though beneficial in terms of income generation. Instead of mentoring and training children to play tennis, it is prudent to pick on one activity, like playing tennis, which will not only earn me an income but also provide a good way to relax after school activity. As such, I will very active and offer my services effectively.

Hackett and Wang (2012), regards honesty as a virtue that every leader should have. However, at times, I need to be keen enough in situations where I need to “lie” to save a situation at hand. That means by lying, I will be saving a situation which is very dangerous to happen. Particularly when someone is critically ill or in an emergency. Salvaging such a situation is a rare quality of a good leader. Therefore, I will strive to change my attitude appropriately.

Working under pressure is a characteristic of many leaders. However, to me, I find it challenging. And for me to improve my leadership competence, it is high to learn techniques of working under such conditions since some come as an emergency. The best way achieve this goal is to engage in high demanding tasks with less help from colleagues which will then push me to work extra hard. I such situation, I will acquire skills to cope with working under extreme pressure without anxiety taking over me.

According to Kutlesa and Arthur (2008), overcoming perfectionism challenge involves accepting the fact that I am human like everyone else and thus I am not perfect in everything I do. Moreover, after achieving a good enough result, I can leave it at that point and avoid stressing myself further. I should also realize that I am hurting the people around me and myself by buying into the myths of perfection which change behaviors. I will also be doing things that are right by shaping an environment of human standards around me. Therefore, I will avoid unnecessary tension to over perform and thus enhance my leadership competencies.

Achieving personal leadership competencies will also incorporate learning the art of delegating duties. On the word of Salahuddin (2010), delegating duties provide an opportunity of developing other people’s talents. During those times, we can take up other challenges which nurture our leadership skills. When I delegate excess responsibilities in the future, I will foster a collaborative work environment which will not only provide me with an opportunity to learn more but also encourage the good working relationship. Chandrasekar (2011) found that good working environment where every person has an opportunity of learning encourages teamwork and ultimately, the success of the whole organization.

References

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