I Am Called Called to Serve

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                         I am called, called to serve.

Irene L Bhaskaran BUS 631-01

I have learnt a lot during this class. A lot about myself, my coworkers, team mates, my family and my boss and I know for sure I am called, called to serve, serve people .I was  told  “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded”. Yes, I am abundantly blessed in my life with a good family, friends, education, wealth and health and therefore more is expected from me towards society. I am called, called to serve, to give back.

 Leadership trait theory is something that I can easily associate with. When I meet a leader I unknowing search for the major Leadership traits defined in the book   like Intelligence, Self-confidence, determination, Integrity and sociability. I think Traits Leadership theory holds good for all types of Leadership. I feel it is the core of all leadership theories. Since I look for these qualities in a Leader and I want to inculcate these qualities in me.

I was given a personality test at work and I was told I fit into a profile called  Organizer[ET]. The  test report described me as an achievement-oriented person that enjoys organizing people and events, and is results-focused, and as a matter-of-fact my ideal role would be to lead  a team. Some of the team related qualities I possess are:

• Driving others and themselves towards task completion in a team.
• Coordinator of activities, developing and measuring plans, and providing direction in a team.
• Decisiveness, decision-making; clarifying roles and responsibilities in a team.

Some of the characters pronounced in my personality are being tough-minded, logical, organized, and thorough in approach; friendly but not warm or overly personable, interested in getting things done efficiently and effectively and often effective at planning and execution; disciplined and responsible. I had a confidence rating of 78% which was high which kind of puts me in a highly task oriented leader ship person. I need to work on my relationship part a little more in order to be more efficient

With the various roles I play in my life , a  mother,  a wife, a daughter, a friend, an employee, a human  I feel that I can relate a lot to Situational Approach Theory of Leadership. This style has 2 parts the leadership style and developmental level of the subordinate. The four styles of Situational approach theory of Leadership – are Directing, Coaching, Supporting and delegating. Depending on the level of development the leader will change his leadership behavior.

I had to be very directive to my kids when they were little. I had to give them clear direction on how to wash their hands, how to cross the road, how to wait for the bus  at the school bus stop, how to behave in social setting  and family gatherings. It took a large part of my time supervising them. As an employee I still have to be very directive to my co-workers when I  talk about new and complex projects and they seem to  appreciate it. This style is used at low development levels where more direction is required and low support is given.

As my kids grew up directing style started to fade and coaching style seems  to be more profound in my relationship with my kids. I had to be more directions on letting them know what was expected and I was needed in their activities for them to succeed. I had to help a lot with school work and drive them around for extracurricular activities. At work I had to use a lot of coaching when we had new projects implemented. I had to bring the entire analyst to pace. It involved a lot of coaching even though they were experienced. I had to coach them till they became independent. This style is used at moderate development levels where more direction is required and more support is given.

At home as my kids grew up they started to be more independent. They expected praise from me when they finished their chores. They needed very little direction on how to do their chores. They were very good in setting tables for occasion, dressing the table, cleaning their room. I learnt that I could achieve a lot in our family by being more supportive to my kids by listening, praising, asking for input and giving positive feedbacks. Big arguments and tantrums became less and being a mother of 2 tweens life is a little better. At work I found being supportive to other employees and my boss made them more confident and life easier for me. I could see a lot of successful partnerships and fewer disagreements. This style is used at moderate development levels where less direction is required and high support is given.