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[Archived] Course 4. Foundational Leadership Principles: (Discussion #1) Understanding your Leadership Style

Heather225 September 8th, 2020

Please note: In order to successfully complete Course 4, you must respond to this post. Your comment/response should answer the questions/shows that you completed the given activity (if any). Read the post carefully and follow the instructions given. Save your responses to a document that you can later refer to. You will need to copy/paste your response in the course evaluation form at the end of each course to show that you have done the work and to refresh your memory.
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Hello everyone,

If you are reading this, it means you have come a long way in your leadership training. Kudos to you for all the effort and resilience you have shown! It is amazing how you all are open to learning and adapting to new environments: the environment of leadership!

Before we zoom in and talk more about learning and adapting, lets zoom back out first and talk about how you feel about leadership. Regardless of how you see yourself, there is a leader within you. The one who visualizes how things could have run in a better way if you were in the leading spot. Leading spot here means:

A desire for change;

Believing you got the abilities to make it happen;

Visualizing success while keeping in mind the bigger picture.

To lead others effectively, you need a good blend of 4 broad competencies area

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If you have a surplus amount of knowledge on how to lead but not a good emotional quotient (EQ), you will find it hard to tackle leadership challenges. Having a good EQ is as important as having the right skills, and if you have skills but not the right attitude and values, you won't be able to achieve your full potential as a leader. Your attitude and values impact how others view you as a leader. We need an alignment in all 4 areas.

You have your very own leadership style based on your competency level. So, the next step is to label your original leadership style. Because you can switch to any leadership style with deliberate effort, thought, and adaptation.

Daniel Goleman categorizes leadership approaches in 6 broad styles. Authoritative, Coaching, Affiliative, and Democratic help one to promote harmony and positive outcomes while Coercive and Pacesetting styles of leadership need to be used in specific situations as they could cause tension.

Your original style could be one of them. So for the purpose of this course, we are going to use a leadership style test to help you identify your core competencies. In brief, we are using the test here to help you identify your leadership approach. So, when you know how you approach an event, you could think and put efforts to bring a change in it. It will allow you to polish your strengths and focus to improve in other different areas as well.

Lets get started!

- Please take the leadership style test here: https://www.energir.com/blogue/en/at-work/quiz-what-kind-of-leader-are-you/

Next step, below in the comments of this discussion, share

1. What is your leadership style?
2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?
3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?
4. Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread!

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.


This post is brought to you by the Leadership Development Program Team, find out more information about the program here.

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Grace8402 November 4th, 2020

@Heather225

1. What is your leadership style?

Communicating Vision 87


2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

I communicate my plans in a way that excites others.


3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

Being firm. I think I need to set boundaries and be firm when necessary.

1 reply
cocoakrispies121 November 9th, 2020

@Grace8402

I feel the same way when it comes to being firm or confident!

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blitheEmbrace27 December 14th, 2020

Being firm can be hard, totally get it. It’s something I struggle with myself honestly @Grace8402

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DreamTouch December 15th, 2020

@Grace8402

Communication is an important skill to have! Being firm and setting boundaries are something I have to work towards too. heart

1 reply
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lyricalAngel70 December 29th, 2020

@Grace8402

Excitingly communicating your plans is unique and impressive.

1 reply
Grace8402 December 30th, 2020

@lyricalAngel70

Thank you! 🥰

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cuteOrange213 January 8th, 2021

@Grace8402

Being firm is a really good answer, but it's a tough skill to have. Amazing answers!

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Fergie12299 February 21st, 2021

@Grace8402

Boundries is always a good idea- Keep them coming ;)

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BellatheHappyHelper March 8th, 2021

@Grace8402

wonderful goals for improvments! it is good to be firm so that people don't take advantage and walk all over you :) keep up the great work!

thisisirene May 3rd, 2021

@Grace8402 awesome!

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NorahListens November 8th, 2020

1. What is your leadership style?

My leadership style is - communicating vision: 57


2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

Unfortunately, it is not easy for me to communicate ideas in a way that excites others


3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

I think I’d like to improve what I mentioned above. Maybe I could do this by learning how to be more confident in what I want to say.

2 replies
cocoakrispies121 November 9th, 2020

@NorahListens

I also lack the skills to communicate with confidence, but it's okay! We have time to grow and learn :)

SofiaT2000 November 9th, 2020

@NorahListens No worries! These are skills that you can learn and develop! I'm sure that as you grow you'll become a great leader!

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cocoakrispies121 November 9th, 2020

1. What is your leadership style?

Communicating Vision.
2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

I learned that I can excite others for a project, but need to make sure I am commutating it effectively!
3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

Presenting my ideas in a confident way. I feel like if I am confident in my ideas, I will be able to communicate the best I possibly can!

1 reply
cocoakrispies121 November 9th, 2020

@cocoakrispies121

*Communicating Vision 77

Listeningsarinn November 15th, 2020

@cocoakrispies121

Yayyy! Being confident in yourself and your ideas can definitely make communication easier! *-*

blitheEmbrace27 December 14th, 2020

Great post. I also need to improve in confidence - it’s something that doesn’t come natural for everyone! But trust in yourself and you will gain confidence’ ❤️@cocoakrispies121

Fergie12299 February 21st, 2021

@cocoakrispies121

Confidence is somthing im trying to improve myself. Dont worry it will come with time an practice ;)

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SofiaT2000 November 9th, 2020

@Heather225

1. Communicating Vision 97! According to your answers, you are able to envision a clear direction for your company and communicate your plans in a way that excites others. You seem to have the level of charisma needed to convince people that your ideas are worthwhile. This is an essential skill, because employees will be much more willing to achieve a goal if they are passionate about it. People who excel in this area are innovative visionaries who are confident in their ability to persuade and convince others. They consider it essential to make those they lead aware of, as well as part of, their vision.

2. I seem to have a very good charisma background and this is something that I wasn't expecting! I seem to be able to inspire and motivate others as I’m excellent in communication but also listening to others. Apparently I can guide them with confidence and make them a part of the community, give them the right amount of information in the right time and in the right way to not discourage them and help them to lift their spirits and work with love and positivity to our purpose and the community.

3. A part that I believe I need to improve on is managing challenging situations and conflicts between others. It's sometimes very awkward and uncomfortable to try to maintain balance and it's a situation that causes stress. Although I have learned to keep my stress levels to normal there's always the risk to burnout and I believe I should pay some more attention to self-care, in order to maintain my personal well-being and keep being productive. I have observed that when I calm down I can manage things much better and this will help me grow.

2 replies
Listeningsarinn November 15th, 2020

@SofiaT2000

I like the way you highlighted the importance of selfcare and also how being on calm mind is important in managing thing alrightly

DreamTouch December 15th, 2020

@SofiaT2000

True that we can enhance our performance as we maintain our personal well being too! thank you for sharing this heart

Dinohorus December 15th, 2020

@SofiaT2000

I really appreciate the detail that you provided in your response. You sound like an amazing leader!

Readylistener April 20th, 2021

@SofiaT2000

Readylistener April 20th, 2021

@SofiaT2000@SofiaT2000 @Readylistener Sorry most of the reply cut off... Your answer was really great, and I agree stress can be really overwhelming

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Listeningsarinn November 12th, 2020

@Heather225

1. What is your leadership style?

Communicating Vision 94


2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

That I have the ability to make people understand my vision and be a part of it, I can make them feel passionate and excited about what we want to work on as a team by convincing them the idea worths the effort which is a good thing as this can make our work higher in quality if every team member feels a connection to the goal


3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

Setting right expectations giving feedback and accepting and growing through faiure

1 reply
FrenchToast November 19th, 2020

@Listeningsarinn I love that: Accepting growth through failure! Thank you for sharing heart

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queenviebsonly November 15th, 2020

@Heather225

1. I am a visionary leader

2. That I am very motivating.

3. To be more specific towards my working partners.

1 reply
Gozzil November 30th, 2020

@queenviebsonly

Thanks for sharing your answers to this question, being able to motivate others is an amazing quality.

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FrenchToast November 19th, 2020

1. What is your leadership style?

An affiliative leader!


2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

That I am very understanding of the needs of those around me.


3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

I want to be able to work more efficiently. I want to increase my efficiency to its maximum potential.

1 reply
Gozzil November 30th, 2020

@anotherfrenchtoastmafiaa

@anotherfrenchtoastmafiaa

Thanks for sharing your leadership style. Understanding the needs of others is important in all situations, but even more so on 7 Cups.

cuteOrange213 January 8th, 2021

@anotherfrenchtoastmafiaa

Amazing answers overall!

ouiCherie January 12th, 2021

@anotherfrenchtoastmafiaa

I can relate to wanting to be more efficient at work... Have you got any tips to share? 😁

LovetoGod May 26th, 2021

@anotherfrenchtoastclub

Oh I have same type of leadership style. It's good to see you. Thanks for sharing❤

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soulsings November 27th, 2020

Next step, below in the comments of this discussion, share

1. What is your leadership style? an affiliative leader
2.
What is one thing you learned about yourself? My leadership style encourages relationships
3.
What is one thing you would like to improve upon? I like to spend less time on problems and more on creativity.
4. Please reply to 3 of your peers in this thread!

After fulfilling the requirements of this post, please check out the next post here! You must take part in the brainstorming/activities given in all of these posts to successfully complete the program.

2 replies
Chevy81 December 12th, 2020

@soulsings spending more times on creativity does sound like a very good plan. all the best!

cuteOrange213 January 8th, 2021

@soulsings

Creativity definitely matters.

I like your answers, good luck on the creativity!!

BellatheHappyHelper March 8th, 2021

@soulsings

I got the same! great post, keep up the awesome work!

Readylistener April 20th, 2021

@soulsings that was a lovely answer, and all the best for your future!

1 reply
soulsings April 20th, 2021

@Readylistener thanks for your kind words.

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lovelyParadise7651 November 29th, 2020

@Heather225

I am an affiliative leader

I learnt that I have a leadership style that encourages relationships between people, prompting them to work together. My approach involves focusing on the importance of working together. I also understand the needs of your team and your partners very well, and you try to satisfy them. My greatest strength lies in my ability to ease tensions and motivate all team members during difficult periods. I also have a knack for getting people who are accustomed to working alone to work together instead.

However, Affiliative leaders tend to avoid conflict.
These leaders tend to stay away from dealing with conflicts that they may be asked to create because they focus on relationship-building within their team. If a team member is under-performing, the affiliative leader is likely to ignore the performance.

Affiliative leaders also avoid scenarios that make them feel uncomfortable.
An affiliative leader focuses on their own feelings too. They like to feel happy and positive about what they do every day at work. If there is a scenario that makes them feel uncomfortable, then they may do their best to avoid it altogether. There is a hesitance with this leadership style to confront difficult situations in a head-on manner. A leader might try to delegate the responsibility, ignore it to hope it goes away, or wait as long as possible before doing something about the situation

The advantages and disadvantages of the affiliative leadership style show us that a positive workplace environment is possible. People can make needed changes when positive feedback is given to them. Unless there is some adaptation, however, the characteristics of affiliative leadership can also create complacency, lower productivity, and resistance to change over time. smiley

1 reply
Gozzil November 30th, 2020

@lovelyParadise7651

Thank you for sharing such an in-depth answer. It was really interesting to read as I am also an affiliative leader.

1 reply
lovelyParadise7651 November 30th, 2020

@Gozzil

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it :)

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hopebeyondpain December 10th, 2020

@lovelyParadise7651

High five, fellow affiliative leader! You are so right in saying that a positive work environment is possible and important. There are pros and cons to every leadership style, and I', very happy to see how you are so aware of them!

kdsyahirah December 11th, 2020

@lovelyParadise7651a big thank you for you. Now I know my leadership styles in a deeper level. Love that info.

sia1325 January 13th, 2021

@lovelyParadise7651

Very well written!

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Gozzil November 30th, 2020

1. What is your leadership style?

I am an affiliative leader, meaning I focus on teamwork and relationships and understand the needs of others.


2. What is one thing you learned about yourself?

I learnt that one of my main strengths is the ability to ease tension during difficult situations. I'd never really considered this as one of my skills, but having read it in the description of my leadership style I can now think of several occasions where I did just that.


3. What is one thing you would like to improve upon?

I would like to become better at accepting and giving negative feedback. This is difficult for an affiliative leader as they do not want to damage their relationships, which are central to their leadership style. I understand the value of feedback, and even more so after the discussion about it earlier in the course, but in practice I still struggle with it.

1 reply
lovelyParadise7651 November 30th, 2020

@Gozzil

really interesting and self-aware answer yes

hopebeyondpain December 10th, 2020

@Gozzil

It is interesting that you are good at diffusing tension, yet have struggled with giving good feedback. I relate to that, especially since giving feedback is always a hard thing to do and can cause more tension, but with the tips we learnt in the previous course on giving feedback, I'm sure you'll get there in no time!

lyricalAngel70 December 29th, 2020

Even I would like to work on providing/receiving constructive feedback. Thanks for sharing your viewpoints.

ouiCherie January 12th, 2021

@Gozzil

"I would like to become better at accepting and giving negative feedback. This is difficult for an affiliative leader as they do not want to damage their relationships, which are central to their leadership style." True.

My result also Affiliative Leadership. Guess it's good to be aware and minimize the disadvantages. 😊

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