Garcia

Henry Garcia

Professor Eileen Eisen-Cohen

PAF 311

3 March 2015

Leadership and Change

As individuals we grow, grow wiser, grow smarter grow stronger and continue

growing, for the better. We are constantly evolving as individuals, wherever it is we may

go. At our peak, when its all said and done, we call ourselves leaders. Theyre

everywhere around us; in athletics, businesses, organizations, clubs and much more.

Leaders walk amongst us quietly or loudly, although there may be different kinds of

leaders in this world, they all strive for one thing, change.

Growing up, I was always the quiet one, the one who stood aside and observed.

Eventually with time I progressed, broke my silence and began to build myself as an

individual. Analyzing my self-assessments and journals, I definitely came a long way.

Although I never did notice it, there were many times in my life where I needed to step

up and make change happen. Whether it was at home, school, or an organization I was a

part of. Part of me couldnt bear to stay the same, stand aside and let things occur the way

other people thought they should occur. Realizing my voice was just as important as the

next. Right then I knew, I had to be involved within the organizations in my school and

my community. It was a long road for me, but I made significant progress along the way.

What really redefined me in my life was athletics. It helped shaped me into and

individual I never thought Id become. At one point in my life, I was appointed as a

captain on my football team. It was there at that point in my life I realized Ive always
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had the capabilities of being a leader, I just never really put myself out there to notice it.

In the first assessment I demonstrated myself as a leader who was good with relationships

with my teammates, friends, & family. Looking back now, Ive been doing that for a

while now and Im glad that I did so, because it brought me a long way.

At the time the only thing that was really important for me was to keep the bonds

between my team members and I strong. Solidifying my group and I as a whole.

Maintaining these relationships has opened me up as an individual, changing me by

motivating others, getting them more involved with certain task, keeping the progression

going, and most importantly to keep our vision alive. It was one of my only strengths at

the time. Although now, Ive improved much more in that specific area, communicating

much more efficiently with my team members.

It was a new beginning for me, still learning and improving. I felt as if I was this

leader my whole life, it was just a matter of time of putting myself out there. Before I

know it, I knew there was much more to just being, when being involved was just as

important. Being a part of the group called Habitat for Humanity, a group that helped

build homes for families, help me realized how important it was for me to be involved in

my community. It helped enhance my skills as a leader and gain important knowledge

that would come to great use in the future. This led me to be active in community events.

Viewing individuals, groups, and organizations as networked in larger systems provides

a more useful and resourceful approach to change (Komives & Wagner). Working for

the organization changed my views and enhanced my skills when working with other

individuals.

Getting involved has helped boost my self-confidence and its exactly what I
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needed to become a better leader. In the personal style inventory, I came off as an

introvert individual with a set of strengths and weaknesses. Working alone diligently was

all I use to do back in my day, and I still do. I slowly changed and became more of an

ambivert. I chose the opportunity of being a leader to make an impact in any organization

I involved myself into.

At one point in my life the question how do you want your life to matter is a

question I asked myself everyday. How will I go about today? What impact will I make

today? These are the questions I ask myself every now and then to help me stay focused

on my goals. My goals being the foundation of what difference I will make when I grab

everyones attention. Although many people tell us that we dont have to be successful to

make a difference I think otherwise. It sets me up in a way where Ill continue to do what

I do.

As a leader we arent developing ourselves but more so were shaping others

to become great leaders as well. Out of all the groups, teams and organizations Ive

became a part of, I valued more what others said then what I spoke of. In the

listening self-inventory I come off as an individual who is on track on becoming an

effective listener. Its never quite easy to listen to all the information told by the

individual speaking to you, were always thinking about the next topic to discuss or

what we were going to say after.

Its constant learning, constant change, Im constantly telling myself Im never

quite there yet because theres always room for improvement. I always know that

each individual within my group held a specific personal value and attribute that

separated the individual from the rest. That was vital for me, to be able to learn
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from others.

When I was appointed as a captain for my team back in high school, the first

thing that popped into my head was my teams vision as a whole. If I am to take

charge, I need to know where my group stands as a unit. Where exactly did my team

stand, I questioned myself at the time. At the time I wasnt as outspoken as I am

today, so it was difficult for me to get everyone to complete specific tasks. As of now,

Im able to talk to others, motivate people, and make them realize completing the

task at hand is important.

Moving forward, I knew there was room for improvement for me as a leader.

Going back to what I said in the discussion post about group values, one of my

strengths was communication, and I felt that without strong communication with

my team members would weaken the group as a whole. To be clear & concise

knowing that the tasks given to us are being completed, staying focused on our

goals. Not noticing, I did have flaws in my communication skills and as of now I do

feel Ive made a tremendous improvement when communicating with others.

Ive spoken more about my weaknesses in the discussion about challenging

the process with civility. I could never seem to settle a situation where I make a

situation fair. In my results, I display that doing things my way was always the right

thing. It was a matter of being able to understand the situation from both sides and

settling for what was fair. Now, its important for me to be an individual of

understanding in these circumstances. I was content about making the change, if I

hadnt I wouldnt make progress as individual building up leadership skills. Will

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have our mistakes, but its important that we come to realize those mistakes and

make a positive change.

I didnt quite know specifically about the strategies for handling a conflict.

How does one look at the areas of settling an issue? After taking the diagnostic

survey for managing conflict, I could definitely say there was much needed

improvement in a couple cases. For one, responding to criticism was where I needed

much fixing. After reviewing the specific skills areas, I could definitely say my

weaknesses are now my strengths in this area. Unaware of how I can go about fixing

the issue, after taking this assessment Ive realized how I can improve in handling

conflict in situations.

Overall, the self-assessments and personal style inventories fit me. Like Ive

mentioned before, I realized I had it in me. It was only a matter before I realized that

putting my leadership skills to the test was all I needed to do. Of course along the

way Ive realized my strengths and weaknesses. For the most part I did expect most

of the results to be what I thought they were. Speaking for myself, I could never be

to content in where I stand as an individual. I do wish out of it all, I was more of an

extrovert, even if I tried Id naturally go back to being in my introvert state. Im well

balanced now.

In the position I am at this moment, do I stand as a true leader? Going back to

what I said in the beginning, I often thought to myself speaking to others doesnt do

much, in some cases theirs always that one difficult individual we try to get a hold

of. It was more about leading by example, doing the small things the right way.

Waiting for those to catch on. Repeatedly doing whatever tasks I had to complete at
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my very best. That way, when my group members finally decided they could do

better, they will look over to their shoulder to the person who is an example of just

that. When my accomplishments separate me from the rest, the individuals in my

group begin to wonder how is it that Im doing it all?

The leadership mentality allows one to make high marks, no, not by himself

but with the rest of the individuals. Being a part of athletics my whole life in high

school, it was never good enough that I was the only one that improved, but that

people in my team also had the same mentality as I did. Ive always questioned

myself, am I doing enough as a leader? The confidence that comes from this self-

awareness is important to leadership effectiveness (Komives and Wagner). One

could never be too satisfied in where he stands, for there is much more an individual

could do, such as making an impact.

The biggest thing for me is, how would I like to be remembered when Im

finished with it all? That question redefined me as who I was as an individual. Being

a leader was the first step. But how does one go about taking those steps in

becoming a leader? We become self-aware of how were approach tasks, how we

communicate with individuals, and above all else taking the extra steps in

everything that I do.

Values and principles represent the priorities that guide how people live

their lives, how they decide what is most important, when to take a stand, and how

they know what they are and are not willing to do in order to reach a goal (Komives

and Wagner). What drives us as leaders is motivation and attitude. Being something

bigger then who we are in this very moment. In high school I had a coach who would
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always point out ways in bettering ourselves as individuals. One of the many things I

remember him saying is theirs a million excuses we can come up so as to why we

should miss practice, when we should be thinking about a million reasons why we

should be at practice. From that point on I thought to myself, make an impact,

motivate your teammates, and when my time is done my teammates will know

exactly what to do.

Its important that we carry ourselves as leaders everywhere we go because

someone is always watching. Ive learned that when I dont, Im failing those around

me and myself. Especially when youre given the position, whether we become the

captain of a team or take highest position in our jobs people begin to look up to us,

they expect us to be the most proficient individual at our craft. It becomes an honor

to reach this level. Being able to do what others cannot due to the years of

experience.

The best leaders are the ones who have the ability to mold individuals in ways

others cannot. Become mindful of yourself engaging with others and hold high

expectations that you can make a difference with your actions (Komives and

Wagner). To be able to do that is described as a gift. Although, some would say

someone or something couldve altered the individuals life to becoming a great

leader. An experience that is so powerful that transforms us forever. In my case it

never has to be that way, it only takes a person to experience something new or

have the need to develop oneself.

Leadership isnt given or simply learned, its to become. From what Ive

learned throughout all my coaches, teachers, mentors, & family, its being a man
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with a plan of action. In times of my life, Ive dealt with much adversity, but its

helped me recognized that in these moments that no one is always going to provide

us with the helping hand we need. We stay strong and move along. Ive carried these

experiences with me and as all go to say make sure it doesnt happen to another

individual.

In my case, its always a matter of wanting to be great. Follow the wise ones,

let them show you the way. I was fortunate enough to know many individuals who

were leaders that guided me, reached out to me, teach me and most importantly

correct my weaknesses, for they were dragging me down. Surrounding ourselves

amongst leaders or immersing ourselves in organizations thatll help change and

benefit it us for what is yet to come.

I believe that we should all strive to become leaders, to make impacts in our

world so that the younger generation will come to learn that the skills and abilities

of leaders are important to have.

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Works Cited

Komives, Susan R., and Wendy Wagner. "Chapter 4 Change." Leadership

for a Better World : Understanding the Social Change Model of Leadership
Development. 2nd ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 126. Print.

Komives, Susan R., and Wendy Wagner. "Chapter 9 Consciousness Of

Self." Leadership for a Better World : Understanding the Social Change
Model of Leadership Development. 2nd ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
303. Print.

Komives, Susan R., and Wendy Wagner. "Chapter 9 Consciousness Of
Self." Leadership for a Better World : Understanding the Social Change
Model of Leadership Development. 2nd ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
305. Print.

Komives, Susan R., and Wendy Wagner. "Part 5 Change Agents."

Leadership for a Better World : Understanding the Social Change Model of
Leadership Development. 2nd ed. N.p.: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. 395.
Print.