LEADERSHIP GROWTH
In many ways, a leader's growth relates to the transformation process of growing a seedling into a tree. A seedling must first be planted into the earth to even have a chance of growing. The same can be said about leadership. At some point in a leader's life, a seed is planted deep within them. This seed could come in the form of a single event, a multitude of experiences, or influential people that inspired the leader to one day lead a team of followers.
Once a seed is planted, it needs nutrients in order to begin the transformation process; as does a leader's development require the understanding of key leadership elements in order to grow. A tree seedling relies on sunlight, water, and food; whereas a leader requires the understanding of leadership concepts and theories to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and tools face the many situations and challenges they will experience along their leadership journey.
When a seed receives proper nourishment, it begins to grow roots thus building a foundation for its upward growth. A leader also grows roots or ethcial standards by which they live by. A leader's roots are made up of their values and principles which have been instilled in them throughout their lives. A leader's ethical standards act as their foundation, and their moral compass to guide them in their every decision, action, and behavior. Their ethical standards will distinguish right and wrong; good and evil; and whether they become an in-effective or effective leader.
As a seedling builds it foundation of roots, it begins to sprout a stem. The tree's stem willl act as its lifeline throughout the tree's development. A leader must also develops a stem of core beliefs which will act as their lifeline to excellence. The stem guides the trees growth upward towards the sunlight. A leader must guide their followers and organizations upward. A leader guides an organization's growth by envisioning a better future for their organization; setting forth a roadmap of goals to achieve their vision; and gaining follower support to achieve those goals. Leaders who are successful at achieving their vision over and over are identified by their organizations as excellent contributors and candidates for advancement or further growth.
As the stem grows, it begins to branch out as does a leader branch out amongst their followers. A leader branches out through their ability to effectively communicate with their followers. A leader's written and verbal communicaton ablilities is vital to the influence and impact they have on their followers. A leader must display confidence and poise in their communications with their followers. A leader's ability to influence their followers determines their success.
Eventually the branches will produce leaves which will contribute to a tree's ability to continue its growth in the future. Leaves help produce the food a tree requires to live through the elements. A leader also needs leaves or continued learning for them to continue growing into a more effective leader. Leadership is a lifelong journey which will present many different situations, circumstances, opportunities, downfalls, and challenges which a leader must be prepared to face. To do so, a leader must continue to nourish their leadership abilities by learning from their mistakes, experiences, and further educating themselves on the subject of leadership.
As a tree matures, it begins to produce. Some trees may produce fruits, while others produce flowers. In any case, an adult tree will continue on a lifelong journey of sustainment. As the seasons change, a tree will face many elements that they will have to overcome in order to stay alive. The healthiest trees will continue to be successful even through the tough times, because of their perseverence and ability to overcome adversity. A leader's success depends on their ability to continue on as a lifelong learner so that they can master their leadership skills and abilities throughout their lifelong journey of being a leader.
The following pages will demonstrate my growth as a leader and how I have gained an in-depth understanding of leadership from the Master of Science in Leadership program. To demonstrate my mastery of leadership, I first present a brief introduction of my experience with leadership prior to enrolling in the MSL program; my desire to grow as a leader; and my reasoning for enrolling in the MSL program to fulfill my leadership desire.
Once a seed is planted, it needs nutrients in order to begin the transformation process; as does a leader's development require the understanding of key leadership elements in order to grow. A tree seedling relies on sunlight, water, and food; whereas a leader requires the understanding of leadership concepts and theories to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and tools face the many situations and challenges they will experience along their leadership journey.
When a seed receives proper nourishment, it begins to grow roots thus building a foundation for its upward growth. A leader also grows roots or ethcial standards by which they live by. A leader's roots are made up of their values and principles which have been instilled in them throughout their lives. A leader's ethical standards act as their foundation, and their moral compass to guide them in their every decision, action, and behavior. Their ethical standards will distinguish right and wrong; good and evil; and whether they become an in-effective or effective leader.
As a seedling builds it foundation of roots, it begins to sprout a stem. The tree's stem willl act as its lifeline throughout the tree's development. A leader must also develops a stem of core beliefs which will act as their lifeline to excellence. The stem guides the trees growth upward towards the sunlight. A leader must guide their followers and organizations upward. A leader guides an organization's growth by envisioning a better future for their organization; setting forth a roadmap of goals to achieve their vision; and gaining follower support to achieve those goals. Leaders who are successful at achieving their vision over and over are identified by their organizations as excellent contributors and candidates for advancement or further growth.
As the stem grows, it begins to branch out as does a leader branch out amongst their followers. A leader branches out through their ability to effectively communicate with their followers. A leader's written and verbal communicaton ablilities is vital to the influence and impact they have on their followers. A leader must display confidence and poise in their communications with their followers. A leader's ability to influence their followers determines their success.
Eventually the branches will produce leaves which will contribute to a tree's ability to continue its growth in the future. Leaves help produce the food a tree requires to live through the elements. A leader also needs leaves or continued learning for them to continue growing into a more effective leader. Leadership is a lifelong journey which will present many different situations, circumstances, opportunities, downfalls, and challenges which a leader must be prepared to face. To do so, a leader must continue to nourish their leadership abilities by learning from their mistakes, experiences, and further educating themselves on the subject of leadership.
As a tree matures, it begins to produce. Some trees may produce fruits, while others produce flowers. In any case, an adult tree will continue on a lifelong journey of sustainment. As the seasons change, a tree will face many elements that they will have to overcome in order to stay alive. The healthiest trees will continue to be successful even through the tough times, because of their perseverence and ability to overcome adversity. A leader's success depends on their ability to continue on as a lifelong learner so that they can master their leadership skills and abilities throughout their lifelong journey of being a leader.
The following pages will demonstrate my growth as a leader and how I have gained an in-depth understanding of leadership from the Master of Science in Leadership program. To demonstrate my mastery of leadership, I first present a brief introduction of my experience with leadership prior to enrolling in the MSL program; my desire to grow as a leader; and my reasoning for enrolling in the MSL program to fulfill my leadership desire.
