Leadership Development Plan:
Based on your list of expectations, and your questions and contributions in class, it is obvious that you took this course, not just to learn more about leadership - but to learn how you can become a better leader.
We have spent a considerable amount of time reading, listening, and talking about theories and their practical applications, and about traits, behaviors, skills, characteristics, and qualities of leadership ("aspects"). Ideally you have begun to become more certain in your mind about which are the most important. More germane, you have been thinking about which are most important to you.
Leadership Development Plan.
There are six specific components of the plan:
1. Discussion
2. Definition
3. Action Steps
4. People
5. Books
6. Commitment
1. Discussion:
In broad terms we covered Leadership Philosophy, Development, Motivation, Innovation, Group & Individual Decision Making, Team Dynamics, and Organizational Culture & Change.
Discuss the element(s) of Leadership you found most helpful to your development, what you thought was (were) the salient learning point(s), and discuss at least one theory which you found useful and how you might apply it.
2. Definition:
You are to pick five aspects of an effective leader that you feel you need to develop. You should seek a balance between those that are already somewhat developed in you (your strengths) and those you need to develop more (your needs).
Strengths---Intelligence, Integrity, Decisiveness
Weakness---charisma, self-confidence
For each aspect, write the following:
1. A clear and concise definition
2. Why you think this is an important
3. How you feel you rank on a scale of one to ten (ten being best) and why.
3. Three Action steps
For each of the aspect, list three very specific actions you are going to take to acquire, develop and build upon this aspect of leadership.
List a specific time to start and a specific end date for each action. Some actions may be ongoing, nevertheless, you are to list a specific set of dates during which you will perform the action.
4. Three People
List three people you feel are exceptional leaders, why you want to meet them, and what you want to talk about.
- Steve Lawler, President of University Health Systems of Eastern North Carolina
- Kim Schwartz, CEO of Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center
- Dr. Al Thompson, CEO of Bertie County Rural Health Center
Write three specific questions you want to ask (these can be the same three questions, or you may have different questions for different leaders).
- How do you encourage creative thinking within your organization?
- How do you encourage others in your organization to communicate and display the core values of the organization?
- What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
List a specific deadline within the next six months by which you will sit down and talk with each of them about leadership.
5. Three Books
You need to list three books you intend to read about leadership, why you picked each book and the intended date to read them.
On Becoming A Leader by Warren Binnis
Control Your Destiny or Someone Else Will by Noel Tichy and Stratford Sherman
Leadership is an Art by Max De Pree
6. Commitment
Write a commitment to the plan and sign and date it.