Leadership Philosophy

Mike Saunders

ESHESA 2570

Professor Vanjura

4-21-14

                                                                                                            Define leadership

            If you asked me a few months back to describe to you leadership was I would have gave one a plethora of answers as to what I think it means. Depending on whom you are and what you do for a living leadership can be taken and used in so many different ways. Throughout this class I have learned that leadership can be used in many different ways when describing something. Coming into this class I felt I knew everything about being a leader but I was wrong and realize that within a few classes. I took this class to become a leader but I learned that it takes a lot more to be a leader than just standing in front of people and demanding things.

I would describe a leadership as being a person with strong moral and ethical views and not afraid to put them aside for anything. Leadership is not the job of putting greatness into people, but rather the recognition that greatness already exists. The role of a leader is to provide the grand challenge, create the environment and invest in the individual to inspire that greatness to emerge. That is my philosophy statement. Everyday I feel like I make a challenge for myself, going to class and work in the same day and sometimes not even sleeping due to school work. When I’m doing those things it shows the greatness I can achieve through doing those things.

My philosophy never has really changed. Throughout my years and school I knew that I must keep going or face the consequences of not having a degree. My leadership views has changed but my philosophy has stayed the same because I feel if you want something bad enough you will get it at any cost. This class just taught me the behind the scenes of being a leader and the components that it come with. Maybe somewhere down the road I will be looking to change my philosophy but for now it looks like it is staying the same.

taking this class has really opened new alley ways for me in life. learning techniques to leading and interacting with my peers in ways i have never before. this new learning journey will place me in situations i can handle now and am looking forward to taking many more leadership classes as i attend The Ohio State University.

Comment that stood out on being leader

Michael Saunders

ESHESA 2570

PROFESSOR Vanjura

April 8 2014

                Rachel Starr made a comment a few weeks back about how she wanted to get the general aspects of being a leader. She was talking about how she felt that she had most of the aspects down of being a leader but this that she was taking this class to get a better idea of being  a leader. Her comment really stood out to me because I feel we are in the same boat and want to become leaders with all the knowledge we can. I feel that she came into the class with the same mindset as I did.

                I know what it looks like to be a leader but what goes on behind closed doors is what I really want to get out of this class. Standing up and letting your voice be heard is one thing but when it comes down to putting a plan together that’s a whole other situation in my book. I want to take away from this course the ins and outs to being a leader and not just what people see on the outside. I want them to know that when I lead that I am a great leader and have no flaws in my game plan.

                Martin Luther was a great leader and it showed inside and out. From every speech he has done one can tell that he was never lacking any type of ambition and felt very strong on his words no matter the conversation. And that is what I want to take away from this course. Not only having people believe in my words but me believing deep down inside that my words can stick and make a difference when I am out in the real world.

                Now Rachel’s comment didn’t change or reframe anything at all in my mind. I am still in this course to find out how to be a great leader as I feel she is also. I felt that everyone is in this class for the same reason and that’s how to become a great leader at some point in their lives. So no comment or question has really grabbed by surprise. Rachel’s comment just stuck out because she was the only one who said the exact words I would have said if I raised my hand for the question.

                Now that the course is coming to an end I feel that I have been taught most of the ins and outs of being a leader, and not just a leader a great leader. Nothing comes over night. This course has stayed on track on what I believe a leader is and should do in order to take that leadership role in life. Hopefully after it is all said and done me and Rachel can come away from this course saying that we did learn the things that can make us a very good leader in life, and so far I feel that’s exactly what I’ve been learning.