Reflection

Personal leadership development appears to be quite a multifaceted concept. There is more than one aspect to focus on, and being the ultimate leader takes more than just routine effort. I have learnt, for instance, that I need to work on my goals and straighten them to fit the SMART framework. Having many ideas and alternatives is a good thing, but when it comes to being an effective leader, the goals must be narrowed down to specifics. Currently, I have clear goals- to become a business leader or academic. I therefore feel in line to succeed but still with work to do in narrowing down further. In most cases, we fail in our endeavor at demonstrating leadership due to lack of a clear idea of what should be or will be. I am therefore paying lots of attention on that part and ensuring that I have a singular, practical and effective plan for my prospective career.

Along the way, I have gathered the impact of leadership on several personal aspects. For instance, the type of leader that one is affects their personal culture. This makes me curious about my own leadership style, and attendant skills, as I am aware that the leadership I espouse affects my personal habits and other cultural aspects. It also raises my interest in developing self-awareness. It is highly important that everyone recognizes their leadership qualities and behaviors as they shall in the end determine how they relate to others, make decisions and resolve disputes. As a leader, personal effectiveness comes with sharpening leadership skills and developing past the gaps that are evident in our leadership profiles. I have since been working on my personal skills gaps with respect to leadership, seeking to improve and hence build on more effectiveness.