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My Leadership Philosophy Essay

604 Words3 Pages

If ten different people were asked to define leadership, ten different definitions

would be given. It is a term with various implications. Leadership is a word that has

been misused, misunderstood, and misapplied. Like an old cliché, it has lost its impact

and, in some cases, its meaningfulness. Yet one definition of leadership stands out to

me as the most accurate. Author and pastor, John C. Maxwell offers this definition of

leadership: “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” This simple

statement captures the essence of what leadership is all about. It is a person’s ability to

get another person to willing follow him or her. It is this definition of leadership that

shapes my leadership philosophy. In this …show more content…

Living Leadership

My leadership philosophy begins with vision. That is, I lead according to a

desired outcome. Too often leaders attempt to lead without knowing where they are

going, the results of which can be disastrous. I have personally made this mistake in the

past. In order to avoid unnecessary pitfalls or obstacles, leaders should have a vision

for the future. Scripture says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs

29:18). Vision comes through a leader and gives a group of people, such as a family, a

common purpose or goal. This applies to every area of my life including my civilian and

military careers and business. While I may be the visionary of those I lead, I also

understand that effective leadership means I have to lead by example. John Maxwell

says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” One way

LIVING LEADERSHIP: THE LEADERSHIP

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I do this is through a technique developed by Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey (2007)

known as the gradual-release or “scaffolded” instruction model. This model transfers

knowledge and responsibility from teacher to student or leader to follower. For

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