Discussion Post
The overarching course question is "how do the leader's personal and social worlds interact?" We begin our inquiry by exploring our personal worldview and how our worldview shapes our view of the world, and how we act in it as a leader. Walsh and Middleton (1984) argue:
A world view is never merely a vision of life. It is always a vision for life as well. Indeed, a vision of life, or world view, that does not actually lead a person or people in a particular way of life is no world view at all. Our world view determines our values. It helps us interpret the world around us. It sorts out what is important from what is not, what is of highest value from what is least...
Why is being aware of one's worldview as a leader important? One reason, is, as Roy Disney, observed "It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are."
What is a worldview? Sire (2009) argues,
A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true or entirely false) that we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being. (p. 20)
How can leaders become more aware of their worldview and its influence on their leadership approach? Valk et al. (2011) in their "Worldviews and Leadership" article write:
Worldview construction is complex. Nonetheless, the nature of leadership reveals that great leaders take action in the world from a clear place: they are anchored in a particular view of the world. Humans are meaning makers, and when leaders assist others in making sense of the world through a clearly articulated and coherent worldview, solid action can follow. Thus, while we need to be cognizant of the diversity of worldviews and the diversity of uses of the concept, we also need to recognize that particular visions of life and ways of life can be powerful and compelling. The challenge to leadership is to find ways to more explicitly map out these worldviews, discerning those that tend to impede and restrict from those that seek to enhance and expand the world we truly need or want." (p. 61)
The response must include a reference list. One-inch margins, double-space, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.