Leadership: Integrity, Empathy, & Values
Defining Leadership
Leadership is the art of empowering others to achieve shared goals by creating purpose, building trust, and fostering an environment where people can thrive. Effective leaders navigate challenges, drive innovation, and achieve organizational success by setting the direction, aligning resources, and cultivating a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. They lead by example, demonstrating integrity, empathy, and a commitment to their values.
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Diverse experiences, including teamwork in my capstone, performance management, and quantitative methods courses have shaped my leadership journey. These opportunities honed my ability to guide teams toward common objectives while emphasizing the importance of leading with authenticity, fostering psychological safety, and creating an inclusive environment. By actively listening, communicating transparently, and genuinely caring for others, I strive to build strong relationships based on trust and respect, laying the foundation for shared success.
Empowerment Through Individualized Support
Leading a group of eight individuals with distinct personalities in my capstone project during the data analysis phase taught me the importance of adapting my leadership style to meet each team member's unique needs. Leveraging the results of the team members’ Enneagram Test allowed me to tailor my approach, ensuring that I could effectively connect with and support each individual.
However, leading a diverse team also brought challenges, such as addressing instances of free-riding. I quickly learned that empowering others sometimes requires setting clear expectations and boundaries. By finding the right balance between assertiveness and understanding, I was able to address these issues in a way that was authoritative yet respectful. Through open and honest conversations, I helped team members understand their responsibilities and create an environment where everyone felt valued and motivated to give their best effort. This experience taught me that effective leadership involves not only providing individualized support but also maintaining a fair and accountable environment where everyone is motivated to contribute their best.
Presenting our data collection and analysis strategies to second-year MPSA students and faculty mentors
Bridging Linguistic and Technical Divides
Working with a diverse group of international students on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Project in my Quantitative Methods Public Management II course presented a unique set of challenges. Not only did we face language barriers, but we also grappled with varying levels of familiarity with statistical software like Excel. Recognizing the need to bridge these gaps, I took the initiative to lead small group training sessions and create step-by-step video tutorials to help my teammates understand and navigate Excel's functions.
Embracing the Future of Resilient Leadership
My diverse experiences working in groups have laid the foundation for my future as a resilient and effective leader. Navigating challenges and successes provided me with insights into guiding teams toward common goals, making strategic decisions, facilitating a positive and productive team culture, and ensuring coordination and communication among team members. These experiences emphasized the importance of adapting to change, leading with empathy, and demonstrating unwavering resilience. As I step into my future career, I am confident in my ability to leverage these lessons, harnessing my strengths and experiences to inspire, empower, and guide teams toward success, no matter the challenges we encounter.
Learning from Leadership in Adversity
Throughout my Performance Measurement and Management Project, our group of seven faced significant challenges. Four members contributed minimally, often submitting AI-generated work filled with errors. With a tight deadline approaching and the quality of our organizational performance evaluation system for Family Eldercare at risk, our team found ourselves in a difficult situation.Observing how my professor handled this adversity taught me valuable lessons about effective leadership. Rather than placing blame or giving up, my professor took the initiative to work with me and two other dedicated students over the winter break to revise and improve the subpar work. Through open communication, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering a high-quality product, we were able to correct the errors and ensure that the final performance evaluation system met Family Eldercare's needs. Watching my professor lead by example, going above and beyond to ensure client satisfaction, and fostering a culture of accountability and quality, even in the face of challenges, was inspiring. This experience demonstrated the importance of resilient, adaptable, and solution-oriented leadership, especially when faced with unexpected obstacles. It reinforced the value of maintaining a positive attitude, working collaboratively, and staying focused on the end goal, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Through Excel Tutoring and the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Project, I honed my ability to simplify and teach complex software functions, demonstrating my proficiency in sharing technical knowledge effectively. By breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces and providing clear, visual guidance, I empowered my group members to contribute meaningfully to the project, regardless of their language or technical backgrounds. This experience enhanced my skills in leveraging technical expertise to close gaps in team members’ abilities and foster a more inclusive, collaborative environment.