How Will I Lead?
I will look for role models and borrow from their leadership. I will look for prominent and successful leaders and emulate their deeds. I will try to look at their history and check for their failures and successes. I will then be able to know what to do and not do. I will be able to avoid the mistakes they made while embracing their accomplishments. For example, I evaluate how the leaders interact with their employees, their leadership style, and how they handle problems in their organization (Shamir & Eilam, 2005).
Also, I will find a mentor. I don’t want to fly alone. I will look for mentors who will help me gain perspective, identify my strengths and weaknesses and narrow my focus. Mentors can be of great help to my leadership as they can give valuable advises and guidance. According to Autry (2007), mentors keep one on track and help one remain focused.
Another thing to do is to develop nontechnical skills such as decisiveness, adaptability and communication. These soft skills will help me convey my vision to others. Soft skills are vital for accounting and finance professionals. I will be able to lead by example as well as reinforce work and professional development (Senge, 1990).
Additionally, I will ask for feedback from the employees. Constructive criticism and advice from colleagues, mentors, and managers will help me grow as a leader. Objective opinions allow one to see a view of oneself which he/she didn’t have before. Real criticism will help me to reconsider my decisions and change appropriately.
Finally, identifying my strengths and weaknesses is vital for leadership. Honest reflection and external assessments will help me to be a good leader.