SOCW 6070 wk 11 discussion 2 responses: 

2 peers posts provided must be responded to separately meaning start with names and end with references individually 

Respond to at least two colleagues with a thoughtful question or suggestion that builds on your colleagues’ post.

Peer 1

Randall Walshvelo 

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 11

Definition of Leadership 

Throughout this course, we learned about leadership. The class discussed many aspects of leadership. Also, what it means to be an effective leader. There was familiarity with topics discussed during this course because of previous experiences. It is agreed that being a leader is challenging with many responsibilities but same time exciting and rewarding (Northouse, 2021). During this course, one thing had expanded my perspective of leadership. In the past, leadership was viewed as an ability or action to lead a group of people. However, this course taught me that leadership is also an influential process. Northouse (20210 defined leadership as a mutual influence process, including both leader and followers (Northouse, 2021). I realize that followers are a big part of leadership. Leaders can influence and lead the followers, but followers can also affect the leader’s styles, skills, behavior, and relationships. My leadership perspective had changed from a “one-way street” to a “two-way street” where leadership is defined by an influential process including both leader and followers.

Valuable Idea or Experience 

As a leader in the past, now, or in the future, it is an ongoing learning experience. In this course, I learned that would expand my leadership experience and skills was the philosophy of leadership, especially Douglas McGregor’s theory. 

As an assistant coordinator at the Vermont Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VCDHH), I worked with few other leaders on an administrative level. As a result, I was able to observe different kinds of styles. I believed then that those styles were based on their personality; however, after learning about McGregor’s theory, leaders need to understand their core assumptions about human nature, which affects their leadership practice (Northouse, 2021). When Theory X and Theory Y were identified and discussed, I reflected on the experience at VCDHH. I realized that my and all other leaders’ styles are generally affected by our assumption of staff’s human nature. I recalled few times that other leaders and I disagree on staff’s ability to perform their tasks. McGregor’s theory helps me understand why there were disagreements on our perspective on staff’s capabilities. McGregor’s theory is a new and valuable knowledge that I will carry with me if I assume a leadership role again.

Reference

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.

Peer 2

Emily Heare 

RE: Discussion 2 – Week 11

COLLAPSE

Personal Definition of Leadership

Leadership was a position that, before this class, I did not think would be interesting. I felt leadership was a position that was mainly bossing individuals around. However, during this course, I was able to expand my view on leadership greatly. My favorite definition of leadership throughout the course came from Northouse (2021) when he stated how leadership could be an educational experience based on mutual influence from the leaders and followers. I like the idea that leaders can still have experiences that lead to increased knowledge and education. Even better that leaders can learn from their followers just as much as their followers can learn from them. 

One Significant Idea/Experience of Value

A significant experience from this course that may be of value in my professional future was the assessments taken to determine what leadership style I am. Based on those assessments, I learned I have a democratic leadership style. That knowledge will be valuable to know if leadership conversations occur in my professional future. 

Reference 

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Sage.