Leadership Book

The book that I have chosen to read for this class is Stand a Little Taller by Gordon B. Hinckley.

Situational Leadership in the Movies-Extra Credit

Forever Strong

One movie that is a good example of situational leadership is Forever Strong. This movie is about a rugby team that invites a young man who is in juvenile detention to come play on their team hoping that being on the team will help him straighten out his life. The coach in this movie is able to adjust his leadership approach to fit each situation, which makes him a very effective leader. When the team is on the field in the middle of an intense practice or a big game, the coach is firm and tough. He tells the players what to do and if they don't do it they are punished. On the other hand, when any of the players is having a hard time or when the team is going through a something difficult, the coach is understanding and sympathetic. He listens to what they say and tries to give them advice. He is a great example of a person who utilizes situation leadership.

Situational Leadership

Truly great leaders understand that different situations call for different leadership techniques. There are four different approaches that can be used, all of which I can apply to the different situations I am faced with as a roommate.

Directing: Directing is one form of leadership that can be used when one's followers have little or no experience with the task at hand and need quite a bit of assistance. As a roommate, I don't feel like this would be an effective approach. Situational leadership is about adjusting your leadership approach to fit the different circumstances you are in. For my leadership position, however, there would rarely, if ever, be a situation that I would need to use this form of leadership.

Coaching: A leader can use this approach in a situation where their followers have some experience but still need quite a bit of help. For me, this approach could be applied when I am teaching my roommates a new skill. For instance, one of my roommates wants me to teach her how to play volleyball. She has watched volleyball games before so she has the general idea, but has never played before so I would need to teach her the basic skills.

Support: When a leader is working with a group of people who know what they are doing they simply need to support the followers in their efforts. The people may simply need support, which the leader should provide. As a roommate, this approach is very important. For instance, me and my roommates have recently started working out together. This was something that I purposed, so it is my job, no only to go each time, but to encourage my roommates to go as well.

Delegating: At some point, when the people a leader is working with really know their stuff, it is not necessary for them to direct or coach the people. The followers simply need the leader to give them a job and they will do it. In my leadership role as a roommate, this approach could be used in multiple situations. For example, each Sunday we cook dinner together. All of us know how to cook, so all that is needed is for someone to give out the jobs (who is making what) and everyone will follow. Nothing else is needed.

Values.Com

One video on values.com titled "Wet Cement" shows a little boy walking through wet cement towards an older man who is smoothing out the cement for a sidewalk. Instead of being angry with the boy for ruining the sidewalk, he calmly picks up the boy, places him on the grass, and begins smoothing it out again. This commercial is encouraging patience, which is a very important quality of a leader. Just as our Father in Heaven loves us even when we make mistakes, as a leader one must learn to love their people in spite of everything. 

My Example

My father is a great example of a leader to me. I asked him a few questions about being a leader, and received some really good insight on how I can become a leader. When I asked him what he thought the qualities of a good leader are he said things like trustworthy, willing to show by example, confident, etc. While all of these are very important, I thought the most interesting quality he talked about was the fact that leaders need to have high expectations for their followers. I had never thought much about that before, but I can see now how important that would be. If a leader does not expect much of his or her followers, then that is what they will receive, but if they set their sights high the people who follow them will be more motivated to achieve that goal. 

Queen Elizabeth 1

Many leaders throughout time have left their mark on our world. Each had their own strategies, motivations, and beliefs. We can learn from these past leaders how to lead in our own lives. 

Queen Elizabeth 1 was one of these great leaders. In my opinion, one of the things that made her a successful leader, was that she legitimately cared for her people. The Queen loved her subjects, and she put them before herself. I believe that this is a very important part of being a great leader. When we learn to truly love the people we are serving more than ourselves, that is when we become a true leader. That is when people will want to follow. 

My Role

I believe that my most important leadership role at this time, is simply a roommate. I can be a leader by example. 

Everyone A Leader

I am an eighteen year old girl. I do not have the desire to be the center of attention. I do not have the desire to voice my opinion to others. I am shy around people I don't know well. I hold no esteemed position in my school or my community. I am a leader. 

I have learned that being a leader isn't all about being on the student council or being president of a large corporation. No, there is much more to it. 

Be a guide, a friend, and example. Everyone can be a leader.