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Before I started with my MSLD program, I was somewhat aware
of how I feel and what I think and want. I figured
I have adequate control over negative feelings such as frustration, anger, and/or
disappoints personally or professionally.
I had a strong sense of direction and
was truthful to who I am and to my core values.
Having years of experience in leadership, I thought I was very connected
with my inner self as a leader and was guided
by my firm sense of values. I was very willing
to consider any option(s) or action(s) even to the extent of abdicating control
or authority.
On March 2016, I started my first class of MSLD program. I have learned the importance of critical thinking. According to Elder, Paul, and Linda (2008), critical thinking is the process of an
intellectual discipline of skillfully and actively analyzing, synthesizing
and evaluating gathered data generated by experience, reflection or reasoning in
regulating or managing our action and belief.
After taking the critical thinking class, the level of my capability to
increase in knowledge and engage in self-learning
independently, grew exponentially. I am now
able to determine the connections between the diverse pieces of information and
knowledge and analyze its value.
Developing my critical thinking skills has enabled me to
make better decisions regarding information or data that are of no value and distinguish
differing logical errors in resolving current issues or problems. Re-evaluating my core values helped in defining
my morality and conceptions of what is good (Whetten & Cameron, 2016, p. 51). Critical thinking heightened my emotional intelligence
where I was more in tuned with my emotions
as well as recognizing and diagnosing the displayed emotions of the people I work
with and family and friends. My awareness
of the emotions or other people's feelings
makes me more sensitive to their needs. I
am able to resolve workplace issues strategically,
and the people I work with are more open to voicing
their concern(s).
In the second class of the MSLD program, I become aware of
my leadership style through the process of self-evaluation.
The core of self-evaluation is the measure to which we value ourselves and
sense our proficiency as individuals (Whetten
& Cameron, 2016, p. 64). As a transformational
leader, I thrived on change, exercised
“control” through a worthy and inspiring vision of what might be possible and gained
the respect and trust of my colleagues, supervisor, and followers. As a transformational leader, I have learned
that I must always be a role model behaving with high standards and “walk the
walk” even in times of testing occasions (Dubois, Hanlon, Koch, Nyatuga, &
Kerr, 2015). I have learned to maintain
emotional stability, becoming a better communicator and predictor about my audience.
As a critical thinker, I am able to strengthen
and choreograph my thoughts in a rational format, and therefore, become a better
listener.
My attitude towards change and tolerance
of ambiguity has been enhanced. Physicians’
Practice acquisitions, software enhancements,
and organizational change are now common in my workplace nowadays.
Dealing with an overwhelming amount of information,
the manner in which I gather and evaluate data and act on that data has improved. Approaching inevitable change with an open mind,
without a pre-determined decision, I am able to develop confident and innovative
approaches to improvement. The ability
to pull “it” together when faced with tough decisions due to change is very visible
to my colleagues and supervisor.
Today, I am
still being challenged and shaped by my limited experience and am well aware of
how those limitations influence the decisions I am making, I can say with certainty
that I am on my way to be a better leader. Continuing to accept my faults and weaknesses
and continuing to strive for authenticity will only lead to my betterment as a leader
and as an individual with morals and good values. Self-awareness of my weaknesses and strengths can
only enhance the trust of my colleagues and supervisors, it will strengthen my credibility
and will increase my leadership effectiveness.
It will be to the benefit of my organization and myself when I continue
to acknowledge that I don’t have all the answers, and will make mistakes and strive
to be humble and kind and admit that I need the help of others.
References:
Dubois, Melissa, Hanlon, John, Koch, Jodi, Nyatuga, Betty, & Kerr, Nathan (2015). Leadership
Styles of Effective Project Managers: Techniques and Traits to Lead High Performance
Teams. Journal of Economic Development, Management, IT, Finance, and Marketing 7.1
(Mar 2015): 30-46. Retrieved from:
Elder, Richard Paul and Linda, 2008. The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and
Tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking Press. Retrieved from: http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766
Whetten, David and Cameron, Kim (2016). Developing Management Skills Ninth Edition.
Pearson Education, Inc.
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