Learning Portfolio (Week 10)
Week of Submission
This learning portfolio is submitted on March 31st, 2013.
Key Themes
Motivation can make enterprise more efficient, which can be stimulated in different ways (Pritchard & Ashwood, 2008). The 4 ‘I’s of transformational leadership give a clear guidance for leaders how to effectively motivate their followers (Northouse, 2010). Charismatic leadership which can be referred to Idealised influence in 4 ‘I’s can stimulate followers’ intrinsic motivation through leaders’ charisma (Levine et al., 2010). Knowing employees’ perception leads to effective motivation. Inspiration motivation, Intellectual stimulation and Individualised consideration require leaders’ to know employees perception (Hussain et al., 2014). Furthermore, knowing employees’ perception may trigger innovative behaviours (Krause, 2004). Relationship exists among leaders’ gender, self-perception, self-awareness and leadership effectiveness. The higher leaders’ self-awareness and self-perception, the more effective the leadership will be (Van Velsor, Taylor & Leslie, 1993). Informal leadership cannot be ignored as it may greatly influence the followers as the formal leadership (Luria, G, & Berson, 2013). Path-goal theory indicates some followers demand for a directive leader to ensure their goals can be met. In this theory, three variables, namely behaviour of leaders, the followers’ characteristics and the task characteristics should be taken into account (Schriesheim and Neider, 1996).
Area of Interest
I am interested in the relationship between motivation and different leadership styles, and the power of informal leadership. As I really want to enter the HR department of JPMorgan, studying these three areas may help me develop the leadership skills and meet their enter requirement.
Reflection
I think transformational leadership is the most effective to motivate followers. It is easy to build followers’ trust, which contributes to employees’ loyalty of leaders (Burke et al., 2007). My manager Alex takes good use of transformational leadership skills to gain trust and support from his employees. My colleagues and I work hard because we really want to help him to achieve his goals. However, some leaders, such as Hitler, utilized leadership skills to capture their followers’ mind to lead them to fight for his ultimate and unethical goals. Thus, instead of following the leader blindly, it is better to be a reasonable follower. Although, informal leaders don’t have a formal leader role, they usually play significant roles in organisations. I know that it is difficult to be a formal leader when I find a job in a company after my graduation. I think I will try best to be a informal leader first. I think I will try my best to create some innovative ideas and perform well in the task to convince my colleagues that I have ability to help them to achieve our mutual goals.
Implication
The power of informal leader actually impressed me. My friend Alex and his friends have started their business this semester. In their business they don’t have a formal leader. Alex usually arranges the job reasonable and leads their company to achieve their goals. When I graduate, I will first try to be an informal leader who plays an important role in a company before I become a formal leader.
Reading and Research
Use as references above
Burke, C. S., Sims, D. E., Lazzara, E. H. And Salas, E. (2007). ‘Trust