Leadership
1- In no more than one paragraph, what is your response to the question the author asks on page 29 “can you live without the credit?” [10-points]
The author implies that employees and managers should share credit for their success. The employees need to people to be appreciative of their achievement to be provided with promotion opportunities. Similarly, manager also needs to be credited with the success of the firm as it secures his position
2- You are a new manager to a company and your manager just handed down a new vision and a set of new goals that you have to conform. In order to successfully manage your division, you are going to have to adapt this vision and goals. Assume that you are not fully committed or agree with the entire vision statement, but only partially agree with it. What are the things you can do in order to make sure you are in alignment with that vision and are able to champion this change amongst your own employees? Are there other alternative options not discussed in the book? Provide pragmatic and effective examples. [30-points]
Maxwell recommends that I should discuss the points that I do not agree with the manager. If he is accommodating, he will approve adjustments to the division’s visions and goals. I should seek his attention politely, as soon as possible and present my case in a concise way that does not violate my position or the trust of the manager. The author recommends that if the manager insists the goals and vision should be campaigned as they are, I should accept my role and perform as instructed. However, He does not suggest how to implement the goals as they are but in a way that they will produce the results that the changes would have brought.
3- In Challenge #2, the author describes seven different types of “leaders no one wants to follow.” Pick three (3) of those leaders and discuss ways in how you would approach your work, if you had a manager that was like that. Provide pragmatic and effective examples. [30-points]
The insecure leaders focus on guarding their interest only by scorning those who are underperforming and in a disapproving way to those who are performing well making his position feel threated. The only way to deal with these leaders is to perform your job well and treat those who are in my area of influence in a way that makes them feel secure.
Incompetent leaders are a threat to the prosperity of the organization and its stakeholders. Often they present dilemma by issuing direction which if followed would lead to financial losses or unethical practice. The best way to cope with this leader is to act in the interest of the organization, offer a subtle explanation, and give the leader credit for your success.
Visionless leaders lack clearly set goals that they direct the organization to commit to. As such, there is low productivity due to lack of motivation. The best way to practice your leadership skills is to motivate those who are around you to endeavor to be more productive.
4- In the “multi-hat challenge”, the author discusses the different roles you have and the conflicts that may arise from these. This is somewhat similar to the need for multi-tasking. Discuss how you would meet this challenge and the things you can do to make your work productive and meet all of your responsibilities. [20-points]
Multitasking is a thing every manager has to do at the work place to achieve the organizational goals. However, this is a stressful and challenging task, as it will call for been in different places or on different works at the same time. To achieve these, the most important thing for one to do is to schedule and plan all the activities in the time frame available.
5- The author provides five ways in which you can “relieve the tension challenge.” Briefly discuss how these five apply to you and what you can do in similar situations. [10-points]
Finding a way to relieve stress is one of the most effective way to deal with the stress of being caught in the middle. To me this involves rewinding during meal times with music and keeping off work from my mind. While in the workplace, it helps to stick to my duties and avoid engaging in extra responsibility if they may be interpreted as undermining the manager’s trust or position.
6- In Challenge #4 and #5 the authors discuss challenges a person faces from an egotistical perspective. What are some of the ways you can avoid falling into these types of situations or how would you overcome these challenges. Provide pragmatic and effective examples. [20-points]
Challenge #4 introduces the ego challenge. Maxwell recommends that I should concentrate on my duties more than my dreams, appreciate my position and compliment of others and to understand the importance of selfless promotion.
Challenge #5 introduces the fulfillment challenge and recommends that I should be more focused on the team’s success than on my own and to develop good relationship with colleagues.
7- List the types of action or things can you do to ensure you find the right balance at work so as to ensure you do not overstep your boundaries or authority? [10-points]
The first thing I will do is to ensure that I do the jobs that I am well qualified and my knowhow limits me to. Secondly, as a worker I should ensure that I avoid any sexual relation with any person who has work relation with me. Finally, I should maintain confidentiality and secrecy of any information provided to me in confidence by a client.