Discussion Journal #9

      The week of November 4 through November 8 flew by as we learned about leaders and managers. We learned that while both are often grouped together leaders are not necessarily managers, and managers are not necessarily leaders. Each category both managers and leaders have their own distinct characteristics about what makes fit that role. However, on rare occasion someone can be both a manager and a leader. While we talked about both, there was an emphasis put on leaders and how important they are within an organization. Prof. Bell told us that "leadership is the interpersonal influence exercised by a person or persons through the process of communication toward the attainment of an organizations goals." He then proceeded to tell us that there are three styles of leadership the democratic style, autocratic style, and the laissez faire style. The sheer amount of time that we spent learning about being leaders stresses the importance of the subject within our own lives.
     So in an attempt to help us learn more about the different styles of leadership and things that they have in common as well as the things that make them different prof. Bell continued to share with us the traits that a said to be associated with a leader. Theses traits were that they were honest, competent, forward-looking,  inspiring, and intelligent. As I look at these traits I started to wonder how many of them do I have , and how do I get better at the ones that I don't have. I would say that I believe that I have an honest person and I would also believe that I am forward-looking. I would say that I'm competent and intelligent in many things but definitely not everything. So that brings me to the last characteristic being inspiring, this is the trait I feel I probably lock the most in. I don't always work well in groups and it is difficult for me sometimes to raise up those around me. I know that this is an area I need to work in and improve.
       As I am continuing my education I hope to continue to improve on my characteristics of leadership and to make myself a better leader. This week is showing me how possessing the skills of a leader and having the characteristics can help to increase my chances within an organization to rise up and be placed in better positions. For this reason I hope that as I do proceed that i will focus more on honing my skills as a leader. To ensure that I am honest, and competent, forward-looking, intelligent, and inspiring to those around me. Also ensuring asking those around me for honest feedback on ways I can improve.