Friday, January 16, 2015

A633.1.2.RB - Leadership Gap



When I reflect on my attitudes towards leaders I feel as if not much has changed. I always considered myself a leader whether it was in youth sports or with my younger brother, I always felt the need to do things the right way and set the example. Growing up I always looked up to people who I considered leaders such as my parents or my coaches, people who had a positive impact in my life. This admiration drove me to want to be a leader by example and I have continued to do so in my college basketball career and life. I believe the only thing that has changed about my ideas of leadership would be the scope of impact that a leader can have. As I came to college and played four years for my head coach Steve Ridder I came to realize what leadership is all about, serving others, empowering others, and doing things the right way for the right reasons. I realized just how impactful a single leader can be to so many people around them and it made me want to become a better leader who impacts other people positively.

I do not know much about my grandparents generation or even my parents but I believe that their views on leadership where a bit different. Leader’s in their eyes and generations were more likely positional leaders such as bosses and you listened to them because of their position. Nowadays I believe that things have shifted to a more meaningful form of leadership in which people do not want to be told what to do, now leaders inspire action. I believe this trend is continuing but it is a balance of the two as we lean more toward the substance of leadership such as inspiring action, empowering others, and leading by example.

I believe this has occurred partly because of the shift in our society and culture that everyone is becoming more and more educated in the workplace. People who have dedicated many years of their lives to mastering their craft in school do not want to come into a place of work where their boss just bosses them around. They want someone with experience that will motivate them and help them grow. This calls for leaders who want to build relationships and help grow the people and the organization they are a part of.

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