As an Educator, I am a Leader: Scenarios

How can I use this content to increase my academic influence?

Situational

            A father chooses to “tell” his 16-year-old daughter how to change a tire on a car, since the she has never done it before (Hersey & Blanchard, 1977).

 Contingency

            A highly touted English graduate student is brought in to lead a seminar on teaching English (Sosik & Jung, 2010).

Transformational

            A plumber casts a vision for his 5-member team of the importance of working plumbing for his customers on Christmas as he chooses to go out on calls with them during the holiday season (Burns, 1978).

Authentic

            Knowing that writing and grammar was not his strong suite, the leader of the accounting firm brought in a writing expert as to ensure clarity for new contracts going into the New Year.  He created a yearlong professional development track for his team as to be able to write clearly as to ensure no doubt was cast in the validity of the content.  He explained to his team the importance of this task not only for his team professionally but personally as well (Gardner, Avolio, & Walumbwa, 2005).

LMX

            As a fan of German “futbol”, the leader of the paper cup manufacturing company had a great bond with his fellow soccer fans who produced great work (Power, 2013).

 Path-Goal

As the newest fry cook wanted to become manager, the current manager sat down and explored some goals and milestones with the motivated young man, praising him for leaning forward and stretching himself. (Maxwell, 2010).

 Team

     The head baker articulated very clearly the need for each member to do what they do best.  Reminding them that they each have their expertise in the bakery and when that focus is clear, not only is that a win for them individually, but the entire bakery produces the best quality and quantity.  (Zaccaro, Rittman & Marks, 2002).

 Self-reflection: In which of the scenarios above do I see myself? 

Is the resulting influence positive? How can I adjust accordingly?

References

Burns, J., (1978), Leadership, N.Y, Harper and Row.

Gardner, W. L., Avolio, B. J., & Walumbwa, F. O. (Eds.).  (2005). Authentic leadership theory

            and practice: Origins, effects and development (Vol. 3).  Elsevier.

Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1977).  Situational leadership.  California American University, Center for Leadership Studies

Maxwell, J. C. (2010).  Everyone communicates, few connect: What the most effective people do

            differently.  Thomas Nelson.

Power, R. L. (2013).  Leader-member exchange theory in higher and distance education.

            International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 14(4), 1–9. 

Sosik, J., & Jung, D. (2010).  Full range leadership development: Pathways for people, profit,

            and planet.  Routledge.

Zaccaro, S., Rittman, A., & Marks, M. (2002). Team leadership.  The Leadership

            Quarterly, 12(4), 451–483.