Comparison between ‘Kurt Lewin’s Leadership Styles Framework’ and ‘Big Dog And Little Dog’s Performance Juxtaposition Leadership Style Survey’
The two questionnaires offer meaningful information about leadership qualities. I learned important leadership skills to which I have hardly paid attention from the ‘Kurt Lewin’s Leadership Styles Framework’. Amongst them is conflict resolution (Mind Tools Content Team, 2021). The first question asks about my behavior in case of a serious conflict within my team. The question is intriguing in that it demands to focus on what I would not want to happen in my team. It provokes the need for an in-depth analysis of the skill to ensure that I can behave right in case of an incidence of an undesirable situation. Other questions in the questionnaire are equally thought-provoking. They challenge me to think deeper regarding my endowment in various skills, such as goal-setting, achievement and teamwork. Most of the questions triggered an urge to discover more about my current situation and how I can improve it.
The second questionnaire is equally thought-provoking. It entails details regarding my day-to-day behavior. However, it arouses the urge for consistency in various skills. From the questionnaire, I have learned that it is important to acquire the necessary skills and put them into practice in every situation (NWLink, 2021). For example, it provokes the urge to discover my ability to involve my team in the decision-making process. It also triggers the need to practice the right level of involvement. However, of importance is the emphasis it places on the skill. It suggests that acquiring the skills and practicing them are equally important. From the questionnaire, I have learned that I need to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that I utilize the leadership skills without failure. The main takeaway is that the ability to identify situations and utilize a skill repeatedly is a measure of leadership.
Areas of Leadership Strength
The questionnaires have helped me to identify the areas in which I am strong in leadership. One of the identified areas is the ability to involve other members of the team. Despite my leadership position, I always consider the input of other people. I have learned that other people’s opinions on various matters are important (NWLink, 2021). For this reason, I take time to listen to them, combine the ideas, and formulate an incorporative decision. Also, I take a democratic stand in contentious issues to ensure that the decisions forged are agreeable amongst members of the team. However, I also assume a dictatorial position when the need arises. For example, when the probability of excellence is high, the team follows a specific course of action.
I have also noticed my strength in delegation. My associates enjoy the high level of trust that I show them (Mind Tools Content Team, 2021). My ability to delegate roles emanates from the careful assimilation of all team members. I ensure that they are sufficiently skilled to handle the tasks at hand with utmost effectiveness. I also create an environment in which there is ease of communication in case they need to ask for guidance on how to handle certain tasks both from other teammates and me. The need to focus on other higher-value tasks that demand my attention is the main source of the motivation to equip them so and believe in their abilities.
The questionnaires have also helped me to realize that my strengths also lie in servant leadership. I am always willing to make the necessary adjustments needed to ensure all team members’ welfare. For example, I offer opportunities to team members to enable them to explore the possible avenues of self-improvement. I do not let the team responsibilities restrain them from meeting their personal goals. Instead, I do my best to mobilize the resources needed for them to move to the next step. Doing so has enabled my team members to rise in the ranks and, in turn, support other members of the team.
Suggestions for Improvement
Despite the strengths, I find weaknesses in some areas. Amongst the aspects of leadership in which I need improvement is conceptualization. In most cases, I have been following the rules set in the organization to ensure that my team and I meet the set requirements. However, I have discovered that I lack strategy (Mind Tools Content Team, 2020). I need to improve my abilities to set both short and long-term goals for the team. Doing so will improve the achievements of the team by shifting its focus from the goals set by the organization to competitive ones that seek to improve in performance continuously.
Also, I think there is a need to improve my persuasion skills. I have often found myself seeking the approval of members of the team. However, this democratic aspect has not always yielded the best results. The questionnaires suggest an improvement in the ways that I articulate my ideas to the team. I believe that we need concerted efforts to achieve specific goals (Mind Tools Content Team, 2020). I will need to improve my ability to persuade the team members to assume certain courses of action for better results since democracy does not guarantee excellence. For this reason, working on my persuasion abilities is inevitable.
References
Mind Tools Content Team. (2020). Servant Leadership: Putting Your Team First, and Yourself Second. Leadership Tools and Models From MindTools.com. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/servant-leadership.htm.
Mind Tools Content Team. (2021). What’s Your Leadership Style?: – Learn About the Strengths and Weaknesses of the Way You Like to Lead. Leadership Training From MindTools.com. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/leadership-style-quiz.htm.
NWLink. (2021). Leadership Style Survey. http://www.nwlink.com/~donclark/leader/survstyl.html.
