Developing a Philosophy of Leadership

A leadership philosophy is the way we see ourselves as leaders. This philosophy guides our actions, our
behaviors, and our thoughts. Our philosophies are influenced by external and internal forces. We can
change who we are as leaders by simply changing our philosophy of leadership. Leadership philosophies
can change as you grow to understand yourself within the context of leading.

Creating or finding your leadership philosophy means that you must explore and reflect upon your
personal values, assumptions, and beliefs about leadership.

Personal values​ are qualities or characteristics that you value. You would rather leave an organization or
step down as a leader than violate your values. Your values guide your intentions and they influence how
you lead. When your personal values are clear and you are conscious of them, you create a solid
foundation for leading.

Assumptions​ are ideas that are assumed or believed to be true. As a leader it is important to understand
what assumptions fuel your leadership thinking. Often leaders are not aware of the assumptions because
they are operating from certain paradigms that will not allow them to see assumptions. Reflection into
one’s leadership is an excellent way to uncover assumptions.

Beliefs​ are ideas that we hold to be true; they shape our realities. If a leader believes that the only
individuals in an organization that can make decisions is the management staff, then that belief will
influence how the leader treats others. Beliefs can also be unconscious; they are for us a habitual way of
thinking and acting that it doesn’t cross our minds that our beliefs may be prohibiting us.

The following is an exercise to help you create, find, or define your personal philosophy of leadership.

Exercise 1: Identifying Your Leadership Values

From the list below, pick five core values that you feel describe and guide who you are as a leader. You
may choose other values that are not on this list. Place them in the following chart and answer the
questions in the matrix.

Achievement Balance Creativity Integrity

Activity Challenge Diverse perspectives Justice
Advancement Change Duty Love
Adventure Collaboration Economic security Loyalty
Affiliation Community Friendship Personal Development
Affluence Competency Health Recognition
Authority Competition Humor Self-respect
Autonomy Courage Harmony Wisdom

Other values that you would like to include but are not on the list?

Identifying Your Leadership Values

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 VALUES Personal Definition of Values How do you envision these
List your values here List here your definition of these values playing out in your
values here
leadership?
- The prioritizing of - understanding the
1. tasks to ensure goals needs and values of
Balance are met and all others and
aspects of life are accommodating
catered to those needs while
working towards a
goal
- facing adversity - To use adversity to
2. towards a goal motivate even
Challenge - the greater the further
challenge the greater
the achievement
Recognition - Receiving some - making sure to give
form of awareness others the
3. from others of recognition and
success / support rewards they
deserve in the same
way I would like to
recieve them
- constant evolvement - Constantly working
4. and improvement to further my
Personal Development gained through awareness and
experience/ competency in
challenges. everything I do
- Constantly reflecting
my developed skills
on my followers to
show constant
betterment in myself
in hopes to inspire
personal
development in
them.

- Staying with and - Never give up on a

5. finishing the task. task and follow it
Commitment - A personal drive that through to the end.
keeps you devoted - create investment in
to a goal my followers
through commitment
to the task/ goal to

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 ensure the best
possible outcome.

Exercise 2: Uncovering Your Leadership Assumptions

Answer the following questions about leadership. By reflecting on these questions, you will find what
assumptions are driving your leadership thinking.

1. Write down two stories of leadership. One story should describe a positive experience you’ve had with
leadership and the second story should describe a time when you had a negative experience with
leadership.

Negative:
Gr.8 day last year: I had to lead the ESL class and they had no respect at all. They did not listen and
ganged up against us making disgusting remarks and running away the second they got the chance. Their
Westheights teachers and the FHCI staff couldn't deal with them and it made the whole experience
horrible.

Positive:
Gr. 9/10 wrestling: Teaching 9/10 gym classes wrestling was a very good experience. Although there
were a few kids in each class that refused to participate, the majority of the students were excited and
enthusiastic. One student on the wrestling team even thanked me for coming to his gym class because
he’d never tried wrestling and didn’t realize how much he liked it until I introduced it to him. He said he
never would have even considered it before the class, but now couldn’t be happier to be part of the team.
Knowing I made an impact on even one person gives me the reassurance that what I do is important and
has been worth it, even if others don’t recognize it.

2. In the space below, write down your definition of leadership.

- To connect and unite individuals into one unit/ team and guide them toward a common goal.

3. Using your definition of leadership, please elaborate how you first came to understand (or know) your
leadership definition.

- I learned this through experience with people that have been leaders to me. I realized that the
most successful and my favourite leaders were the ones that didn’t dictate everything but rather
connected my with others, showed me the path and let me learn.

4. Describe who are the individuals or organizations that influence your leadership definition.

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 - The main people that have influenced my view on leaders have been my coaches. Seeing the
different types of coaches has showed me what type of leader I want to be.

For each of the questions in this section, ask yourself:

1. What were my assumptions?

2. What influenced my assumptions?
3. Would others (co-workers, friends, supervisors) see the situations I described differently?

Exercise 3: Understanding Your Leadership Beliefs

Answer the following questions about leadership beliefs. By reflecting on these questions, you will find
what beliefs you hold about leadership.

1. Can people who have caused others harm be leaders, e.g. Adolf Hitler?
- My first assumption is yes anyone that can inspire and lead a group is a good leader, despite the
cause
- It could even be said that someone that can lead a group of people towards a bad cause is a better
leader because they can convince and inspire others so well they can convince good people to do
bad things
- Some people would not agree with this because they see these people as purley evil human
beings, and overlook the fact that they were actually amazing at what they did, just for the wrong
cause.

Anyone that has the determination and ability to inspire and direct others is a good leader, despite their
cause.

2. Should leaders have certain qualities to be able to lead?

- Yes, certain combinations of qualities are necessary, and vary depending on the leader.
- Depending on the type of leader, different qualities are required. For example and authoritarian
leader would be required to be decisive and firm while a laissez-faire leader would need to be
trusting and flexible.
- Others may say that there are certain qualities all leaders must possess, regardless of their style.
The ability to delegate, for example, could be argued as necessary for all leaders as they must
create some form of organization and direction within a group.

A certain set of qualities is necessary to lead, but these qualities vary and are dependent on the type of
leader.

3. Who decides who leads?

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 - Depending on the situation, different people decide. Sometimes the person that steps up and
wants to be the leader decides, sometimes it’s the only person qualified, or if they were born into
it.
- The decision is greatly dependent on the leadership style in many cases. In a democratic society,
the majority decides who is leader based on the individuals with the proper qualifications and
willingness to lead. In n authoritarian or dictatorship, The leader is the one that is either born into
power, or possesses the power to control others with force (i.e military).
- Those that have only been exposed to one form of leadership would give a definitive answer as to
how the leadership is chosen in the situation they are exposed to. For example, if you asked
someone in a dictatorship, like North Korea, they would tell you a leader is born, whereas if you
were to ask a child in North America, they would probably tell you leaders are voted in.

Different parties decide who leads in different scenarios but ultimately it’s someone with the willingness,
skillset, and commitment that becomes a good leader

4. How do leaders gain credibility?

- Leaders gain credibility through an array of traits and publicity.
- Traits such as honesty, loyalty and competency greatly impact the credibility of a leader. If they
are known as telling the truth, being loyal and educated, others will believe and ultimately like
them.
Leaders gain credibility by being honest, loyal, and competent.

5. In general, is there something good about leadership?

- leadership is essential especially in a large organization. Without some form of leadership there
would not be any kind of order or organization in the world.
- Leadership is the foundation of any group of people, no matter the size. At the smallest level of
companionship, in a family, there is always someone who is a leader among the other members of
the family. Whether it is the oldest grandparent or the most committed adult, there is always
someone in charge of organizing events and keeping the family together. At the greater level of
our entre country, The prime minister is the delegator and face of our country.

Leadership is the roots of civilization and without is all organization in our world would fall apart.

6. What do you think is the purpose for leadership?

- to connect and organize individuals into one, and ensure tasks get completed in order to keep
order, and create change.
- Without a leader, every person on earth would be alone, fending for themselves. A leader
connects all of these individuals together and directs them in the same direction towards a
common goal.

Leadership connects individuals together and guides them towards one common interest.

7. Is leadership behavior developed through personal experiences or through external forces?

- Leadership behavior is developed in both ways. Some people have the goal to be a leader right
from the start, and others step into a leadership role simply because they see the need for change.

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 Many of the best leaders have come into their roles not because they simply wanted to lead but
because they saw a problem in our world and devoted their lives to changing it.
- For example, Rosa Parks was one of the greatest leaders during the civil rights movement. She
didn’t set out to lead people just for the sake of leading, but instead stood for a cause and lead by
example.

The best leaders are created by their inspiration and commitment to create change.

For the questions above, write down one statement for each question that best illustrates your belief about
that question. For example, if you answered #6 with: ​The purpose of leadership is to provide vision,
guidance, and bring people together for a common good. It unites people and gets them to join together
for a goal​, then your belief statement may be: ​I believe that leadership provides a vision to create a
common good.​ Write a statement for each question. These statements will be used in combination with the
other activities to create a philosophy of leadership for you.

**Under each question**

Exercise 4: Finalizing Your Leadership Philosophy

Now that you’ve identified your leadership values, uncovered your leadership assumptions, and
understand what beliefs guide your leadership thinking, you are now ready to write statements reflecting
your leadership philosophy using the responses above. Statements about your leadership should be written
in the present moment not in the future tense. Creating “present moment” statements helps you to
internalize and visualize your philosophy as it is happening now, not in the future or the past.

Your leadership philosophy should be a statement that consists of your responses from the above exercise.
It doesn’t have to include everything, but it should encompass the general idea of what you’ve written. It
doesn’t have to be formatted in a certain way – just whatever makes sense to you. You can write one
sentence statements or you can write a story explaining your philosophy. Start with an initial draft of your
philosophy and write it down. Revise it as often as you need. Remember, your philosophy can change
depending on where you are at with your leadership.

After you’ve finished, type out your philosophy and add it to your Leadership Portfolio website. Add
pictures or artwork to your philosophy. Place it in an area where you will see it all the time; this will serve
as a reminder to you to remain true to your leadership. The following is a sample philosophy statement
consisting of one sentence statements. Remember, you can write your philosophy in any way that makes
sense to you.

My Leadership Philosophy is…

I believe that leadership is a journey that consists of followers and leaders.

I balance my work and personal success.
I always help people to find the best in themselves.

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I spend time reflecting on my leadership and its implications on others.
I value integrity in personal and professional development.
I respect leadership from different perspectives and ways of knowing.
I listen with respect and gratitude to others.

My Leadership Philosophy is…

I believe leadership is all about connecting individuals together to form one unit and guiding
them towards one common goal.
I understand the needs of others and work to accommodate those values throughout our journey.
I use challenges not as setbacks but as motivation to further my cause.
I recognize and appreciate the accomplishments of others and reward such achievements in a
way to encourage further success.
I understand that I am never finished growing and reflect on and develop from every new
experience.
I believe that commitment is a tool used to drive beliefs.
I am devoted to remaining loyal to my beliefs and the ones that believe in me, no matter the
consequences.

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