Prepare a 2–3-page business report (single spaced) in which you analyze your leadership strengths and develop a statement of who you are as a leader.
Introduction
This project helps you define who you are as a leader. It is something that
would be useful to you in annual performance reviews or to use as a reminder of your strengths and best qualities.
Scenario
Your leader is interested in your development as a leader in your organization. You have recently taken a variety of self-assessments designed to better understand your strengths, areas of improvement, communication ability, and values. Your leader would like you to spend some time reflecting on the results of your assessments and setting SMART goals for future improvement, gathering some additional information from those who know you best.
Your Role
Your role is to prepare a report in which you review and reflect on your strengths. To do this, collect information from the various assessments in class or from colleagues, friends, or others who know you well, and create a portrait of yourself as a leader. Then, reflect on how this information fits with your own view of yourself and your behavior on the job or in life by creating a personal SWOT and some SMART goals.
Preparation
This assessment requires you to participate in at least three self-assessments. If you wish, you may replace one assessment with the collection of feedback from 3–5 people who know you best.
Collecting Feedback From People:
If you choose, you can collect valuable feedback about your strengths through others. Because not everyone is likely to respond, you should identify at least 6–10 people to ask. Choose a variety of people who have had extended contact with you, such as:
Colleagues (former or current), such as vendors, customers, or board members.
Friends (old or recent), neighbors, or fellow volunteers.
Family members.
Others who know you well. Be creative in your choices.
Try to give your respondents sufficient time to respond. You can create a feedback form or keep it simpler.
The questions you should ask are:
Who am I when I am at my best?
Can you provide a specific example of a time when I was at my best?
You can reach out by phone, e-mail, text, or in person. Analyze your leadership strengths as identified by these comments, reflecting on how it fits in with your own preconceptions and what the self-assessments you took revealed.
Self-Assessments
Take at least three of the six self-assessments listed in the Assessment 2 Resources: Leadership Self-Assessments. Or, you may take two assessments and complete the colleague feedback request above. As you look at the results, reflect on how they fit in with your own preconceptions and with the work that you do, or plan to do.
Requirements
For this paper:
Discuss the strengths, skills, and other positives that were revealed in the assessments that you took. Do these strengths surprise you or reinforce what you already thought? How do you use these strengths currently? Be sure to clearly explain which assessment gave you the information and cite the assessments in APA format.
If you choose to, discuss your strengths further by summarizing what the people that you asked about you responded, and relating how what you learned from the people you talked to and the assessments fits in with what you already knew about yourself, and with the work you currently do or hope to do in the future.
Bring together all data points—your own feelings about your skills, what the assessments revealed, what your contacts said about you—in a cohesive personal SWOT.
Describe one or two areas that you learned are growth opportunities (where you did not perform so strongly). How did you feel about this? What specific and actionable steps might you take to strengthen these areas? List at least one SMART goal that you can set for yourself.
Develop a statement of who you are as a leader, based on your analysis. This statement should include your values, strengths, goals, and more. You should include in your statement who you want to be as a leader—what you aspire to become. This way, your statement becomes your own vision of who you want to be and an affirmation to help you grow.
Deliverable Format
Your deliverable is a 2–3-page business report (single spaced). Business reports are formatted differently from academic, APA formatting. For information about the differences, refer to MBA Program Resources. Once you click this tab, several options will appear in the middle of your screen. Click the Writing option. You will want to review the MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines. Note that this business report MUST be single-spaced, professionally formatted, and organized with ample headings. Because this is a personal reflection, you may write it in first person.
Related Company Standards
The Defining Yourself As a Leader business report is a professional document and should therefore follow the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines, including single-spaced paragraphs. In addition to the report, include:
Title page or a heading at the top of the first page with title, date, and your name.
Introduction.
Various sections (see recommended outline below).
Conclusion.
References page.
APA-formatted references (if applicable).
You might consider using the following outline:
Introduction (Tell the reader what this paper is about. Do not assume that the reader knows what the assessment is).
My Strengths (Detail which assessments you took, what strengths and values were revealed, and comments you received, if applicable).
Personal SWOT Leadership Statement (Provide a brief personal SWOT in bullet form or a four-square graphic. Create a statement of who you want to be as a leader—make it aspiring, like an affirmation).
Growth Opportunities (Briefly overview the importance of growing and setting goals. Then, develop at least two SMART goals based on your analysis. Detail the areas where you have yet to grow and discuss some plans for achieving that growth).
Conclusion (wrap up the paper effectively).
References (in APA format. Be sure to cite the assessments that you took, and any readings that are applicable).
Resources: Title:
Great performers make their personal lives a priority
Author:
Friedman, S.
Journal Title:
Harvard Business Review Digital Articles
Publication Date:
2016
Start page:
2
End page:
5
Title:
Work + home + community + self
Author:
Friedman, S. D.
Journal Title:
Harvard Business Review
Publication Date:
2014
Volume:
92
Issue:
9
Start page:
111
End page:
114
Title:
Effective leadership today – character not just competence
Author:
Leavy, B.
Journal Title:
Strategy and Leadership
Volume:
44
Issue:
1
Start page:
20
End page:
29
Title:
Four role models of whole person organizational cultures
Author:
Wagner, G. R.
Journal Title:
Leadership and Change
Publication Date:
2016
Title:
What makes a leader?
Author:
Harvard Business Review, HBR Video
Publication Date:
2016
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Title:
How to be a positive leader: Small actions, big impact
Author:
Dutton, J. E., Spreitzer, G. M., & Achor, S.
Publication Date:
2014
Publisher:
Berrett-Koehler Publishers
More details
Title:
Toward human sustainability: How to enable more thriving at work
Author:
Spreitzer, G., Porath, C. L., & Gibson, C. B.
Journal Title:
Organizational Dynamics
Volume:
41
Issue:
12
Start page:
155
End page:
162
Title:
Becoming a purposeful leader
Author:
Leider, R.
Publisher:
Richard Lieder
Publication Date:
2017
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