The Renaissance Leader, will be extremely valuable for my knowledge and development entering into a leadership position. This leadership guide will illustrate the values and lessons that are significant in striving to be a telling leader in today’s organizations. This paper is my personal leadership guide that documents my strengths and areas that I will strive to excel. Initially, this guide will discuss various classical authors and the impact of their message.  The authors that are included in this discussion are Sophocles, Chaucer, Burke, Mill, Darwin, and Miller. Next, I will highlight different leaders that were presented in class that left an impact on me.  I will then discuss my conclusions of observing various leaders within my group. Finally, my assessment of leadership strengths that I possess will be paralleled with the analysis of the personality profile and DiSC results.

The Classic Touch readings were especially enlightening. I have read all of these stories in my previous educational experiences, however, I never looked at these writings from a leadership or corporate perspective. In doing so, I found that the messages were tremendously correlating and meaningful.

The first of these authors is Sophocles. He told two stories, one of Antigone and one of Ajax, that were especially meaningful. The story of Antigone gave the message that destruction is eminent if one goes by the rules without letting the circumstance dictate. When an individual’s pride, such as Creon’s, will not allow to be flexible, then the people of the corporation may suffer. Policies can change if people disagree with it. Creon would not listen to Antigone’s input and it was too late to change his mind. The damage was clearly done.

The second of Sophocles’ works was a story about Ajax and Achilles. The story was about the leaders of Troy not awarding Ajax with Achilles’ armor because they wanted more than just the best warrior. They wanted someone with new values and ideals, such as Odysseus. The message was that one must adapt to the needs of an organization. Ajax clearly was the most notable warrior, but the need of the organization was for one that had new values and ideals. Ajax was not able to adjust, thus lost the battle.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales looks at man’s virtues and vices. He made it certain with the character, “Wife Of Bath”, that stereotyping people could keep you from truly seeing the real person. Chaucer points out a paradox with this character. She was a “gaudy, lower class weaver”. She told a story that sounded as if marriage was her true occupation. She said that women should have an upperhand, while giving advice on love and sex. At this point, one would draw a conclusion that she has little credibility and would not listen to her point. However, the reader is then surprised at how the story turns into a fairy tale love story. The Wife of Bath turns into a gentle and refined woman. This is an example of a paradox and how stereotyping should be avoided.

Edmund Burke wrote Reflections on the Revolution in France which analyzed the French Revolution of 1789. He focused on the value of tradition and believed that leaders should have a good perspective on the history of the country or company. One needs to understand an organization’s past before they can successfully go in and plan for the future. This change should be incremental and consistent with the past. Radical or revolutionary change is malevolent and will work against the leader.

John Stuart Mill’s essay, “Liberty”, talked about the powers of the state. His main point was that participatory leadership is ideal. He believed the following three points should be followed closely. 1) Any idea that is not expressed will never have a chance of being true, 2) Even a wrong idea will always contain some truth, and 3) A true statement should be contested in order for it to be proven. Freedom of opinion and expression is imperative in validating people’s feelings on having an input into changes or ideas.

Charles Darwin’s, Only The Fittest Survive, shows how leaders or companies will only flourish if they are adaptable to change. This change in the market will determine how a company or leader can cope with this changing demand, giving them an opportunity to excel within the marketplace. Darwin believed that organizations, like living organisms, must adapt in a changing environment if they are to survive. An example of successfully adapting to the marketplace is Campbell’s Soup. The industry’s needs changed and Campbell’s Soup quickly adjusted their marketing plan to accommodate the demand. As a result, they were more successful than before.

The final author, Arthur Miller, wrote Death of a Salesman. The lesson that I received from this was that in order to excel at a career, one must possess these three characteristics: 1) They must be fit for the career, 2) They must not do too much of it, and 3) They must have a sense of success in doing it. They seem so simplified, but there is quite a bit of truth in his message. Leaders should recognize these characteristics  for themselves as well as their subordinates.

While listening to the presentations of various leaders, I learned some valuable lessons. These leaders have succeeded in their positions with a tremendous amount of trial and error. In looking at their journeys, it is interesting to pick up on their successful ways of leading their country, team, company, or tribe. Learning from other’s mistakes is wonderful!

Margaret Thatcher is a relentless leader. She identified the goals that she would attain and nothing would stand in her way. She was looked at as an unyielding leader, yet she was highly respected. Determining your goals and accomplishing them despite anything is a very admiral quality.

Lou Holz was a friend  and coach to the Notre Dame football team. He exemplified how positive the impact is on a team when they are shown that someone genuinely is concerned. Letting your subordinates know that someone does care about their well being will increase their commitment and productivity to the organization.

Martha Stewart’s fortuitous career gave tremendous insight on what to look out for in your quest for success. She was so ambitious and relentless, that she gave up her family in the process. Nothing is more important than family, not even the highest amount of success. What did she learn from the past?

Collin Powell had the attitude that leaders should not always go by the rules. This is a similar standpoint that Sophocles was attempting to make with Antigone. Collin Powell had a leader that did not go by the book when something happened that could have ended his career. Instead, the leader allowed him to learn from the incident that, ultimately, contributed to his success later. If a leader acknowledges that one could learn a lesson and benefit from the situation, then that may keep that person from failure down the road. Use as many opportunities to help a person grow as you can.

Dennis Bushyhead taught me to avoid being a leader for selfish reasons. People will see through to your true intentions and will stop relying on you. Dennis had selfish motives for being the leader of the Cherokee tribe, and eventually used his powers to give insider information to outside businesses. The result of that action was his demise as a respectable leader.

In my organization, I have observed extremely positive leadership qualities of both my superiors and coworkers. I also believe that MCI, as an organization, created the atmosphere that enables workers to feel non-threatened and respected. This could be perceived as Maslow’s hierarchical needs being met, the basic needs in order to accomplish higher needs and ambitions. As a company, they make sure you are treated with respect and financial reward, when deserved. This increases motivation in some workers, resulting in higher production (cause and effect loop!).

Management, Supervisors, and Team Leads in my area believe in an open door communication philosophy. Their cubicles are near ours, with few differences in style or room. This gives the message that people are equal and everyone is important. The training for many groups is exceptional. An aspect of leadership that I appreciate in my superiors is that they stand behind the employees. They trust their word and will defend the group. This improves the relationships between the employees.

The characteristics of coworkers that have leadership qualities were observed. I found these qualities parallel their work ethic. They are always on time, eager to learn, cooperative, and respectful.  Other qualities that help these leaders shine are their technical knowledge and their ability to make problem solving decisions. They are able to work independently as well as within a team atmosphere. In addition, these leaders are thorough in all aspects of their job. They present themselves as being confident yet are level-headed, giving them the ability to listen calmly during stressful situations. Reactions are minimal.

In assessing my personal leadership, my focus is to strive to recognize change in an organization or industry and adapt my leadership skills accordingly. I will pay attention to the organization. I will not solely focus on my abilities as a leader, but recognize how the organization functions. The organization is important in determining how successful leaders can strive to become as well as the effect they will have on the organization.

In the analysis of my DiSC results, I scored the highest possible in the “I” category. The “I” shows dominance in shaping the environment by influencing or persuading others.  To be more effective, I need control of time, objectivity in decision making, and priorities and deadlines. My mask or front that I portray shows that I am a promoter. Yet under pressure, I am inspirational. Overall, my graph shows that I am  “Inspirational”, being the high “I”, high “D”, and low “S” and “C”. The inspirational pattern portrays one that accepts aggression, yet tends to outwardly downplay their need for affection. Goals are controlled by the environment or audience. They judge others based on their personal strength, character, and social power. They are influenced by charm, direction, intimidation, and rewards. They are considered a “people mover”, one that initiates demands, compliments, and disciplines. Under pressure, they become manipulative, quarrelsome, and belligerent. Their fears are of being too soft or loss of social status. I would agree with most of these characteristics. I would be more effective if more genuine sensitivity was demonstrated, and if I helped others more willingly to succeed in their own personal development. Having a better understanding of my personal profile will enable me to be a more effective leader. One that is aware of my strengths and weaknesses.

The Power Perception Profile suggests that my main power bases are connection, expert, and referent power. Connection power means that I desire compliance from others because avoiding disfavor of a higher connection is sought after. The reverse is true as well. Referent power means that I am liked and admired by others because of my personality. Finally, expert power suggests that I am able to facilitate the work behavior of others. This respect leads to compliance with the leader’s wishes.

Recognizing that I show dominant tendencies for being the life of the party, or enthusiast, I need to be conscious of my weaknesses. The weaknesses that were discussed previously can be turned into strengths now that I am aware of them. Working on “C” characteristics, like my husband, may enable me to become more effective when completing tasks and in keeping a level head without reacting in emotional situations.

This guide has given me valuable tools for leadership, ones that I will always refer to in times of frustration. I believe a good leader needs to be aware of their organization, industry, workers, and their own personality traits. I have learned a tremendous amount about respectable qualities in leaders, as well as those aspects that are less than desirable. I feel as if I am leaving this class with some wonderful tools in my belt because of the leader of the class and the readings. I know that I will have many lessons to learn in my journey, but I will be a better leader as a result.

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