Instructions:
- Post a new discussion related to the topics covered in this module. Your post needs to provide specific lessons learned with examples from this module helping you enhance your leadership capacity at work.
- After posting your discussion, review posts provided by other students in the class and reply to at least one of them.
27 Comments
This lecture and how President Lincoln is still perceived to be one of the top leaders in our nation had similarities from previous lecture. It was Trust. President Lincoln believed that trusting the people in his alliance was the key to a success and when he discovered how it impacted he was able to build on the aliances created. I also liked how he emphasized the coach and council approach. He believed that if you coached and provided the tool needed to your subordinates than they would succeed. This again, demonstrated the trust aspect of Lincoln not wanting to loose confidence in your subordinates abilities. Because if the leader lost confidence then the team would fail. So, building and restoring confidence in your team will ultimately restore and produce successful outcome. Another thing i thought was intriguing was that even Lincoln believed that the best leaders never stop learning. I truly believe this is right on point. I learn from my team daily and I hope that I can continue to show things that will help inspire them so that the learn and grow in their profession.
I can appreciate the ability to communicate with subordinates easily and frequently with the various technology that is available to us today. One lesson that I can take away from this is to not respond to negativity unless it seriously impacts the agency I work with. I like the idea to respond in a letter and not mailing the letter. Whereas, communicating with subordinates comes more easily today compared to Lincoln’s time period, it would also be easier today to respond to negativity. What I will put into practice from this lesson is to write my responses and then don’t send them.
I found myself enjoying this module and really appreciated Lincoln’s thought processes on leadership and dealing with adversity. I am just starting the book ‘Lincoln on Leadership’ and I am anticipating it will be filled with good insights. There are a few points in the lecture that I really appreciated. In particular, ‘prioritizing objectives,’ ‘persuade rather than coerce’ and ‘handling unjust criticism.’
As a relatively new supervisor of a little over a year, I tried to compare my actions, experiences and leadership style with what was being introduced in the module. It was refreshing to hear that objectives needed to be prioritized. I believe as leaders there is a high degree of responsibility and many times there feels like there is too much to do. Its difficult to manage and complete the sometimes numerous tasks given to a front line supervisor. At least in my agency, there are many personnel to manage in a large geographical area. Focusing and prioritizing the most important tasks is important.
I believe the persuade rather than coerce concept, definitely falls on the ‘trust is the foundation of leadership’ concept. Relying on authority or position for compliance does not foster respect or a collective focus on the common goal. People should be persuaded toward your and the agencies goals. People should be recognized for their accomplishments and defended when they fail. This will breed loyalty. Their work will become a common goal not a task under your leadership.
The discussion around unjust criticism hit home as well. As the module discussed, human nature cant be changed and only behavior modified to a degree. I have discovered human beings can be jealous and insecure. In the past, I have heard the ‘shit talking’ without having all the facts and only to discredit a person. Often times because that person had rank or a position that was coveted. It seems detractors come with success and an unfortunate biproduct of success itself.
Lincoln had many great views and principles when it came to leadership and having the ability to lead individuals without dictating. According to Dr. Long (2017), Lincoln believed great leaders needed to get out and circulate with their subordinates. Being in touch with the frontline staff allows the leaders to be able to listen and teach but it also facilitates innovation as well as providing the leader and the subordinate time to get to know one another (Long, 2017). I have always found it important to have informal or casual interactions with my members, however, recently I have had the opportunity to have a more hands on approach with two of my newest members. I have to agree that this has been paramount to me recognizing areas of deficiencies and success but more importantly it has allowed me the opportunity to get to know my members and for them to get to know me. I am going to continue to incorporate this type of leadership in my unit to help us grow as a team.
Reference
Long, L. (2017). Lincoln on leadership. 1.2, Week # 1. National Command and Staff College. Retrieved from https://cloud.scorm.com/content/courses/
NAGVXPB5E6/LincolnonLeadership04d9ec79-d0e3-4d69-82d6-10206de2963e/5/index_lms.html
Setting goals and be results-oriented is something the struck me to be important. If you are at the top of the leadership chain then you would be setting the goals and standards for everyone. If you are a subordinate leader then you would be reinforcing the goals and standards. But at all levels must seek results. You can go through the motions and just get something done and honestly we might all do that from time to time. But leaders should set realistic and attainable goals so their subordinates and meet them. A leader should encourage their team to meet the goals set. They should develop a plan using impute from all persons involved and available resources. Leaders should work with the team to get the desired result don’t just direct and encourage but be involved. Leaders at all levels establish and reinforce the standards. Hold you and yourself accountable for your actions and those of your team.
I wanted to add that the agency I work for, the leaders also encourage each individual to also set personal career growth goals. I appreciate this and it reminds me to reflect on my personal career goals and to develop a plan to attain these goals.
I like your comment about setting goals. I also believe that this was interesting. Members of team I have them establish goals that are long term and short term (period of 3 to 7 years). When I bring on a new person I want to see what their motivation is and how then plan to achieve the goals set. I also will follow up with the during this process to help them succeed and provide tools that can allow them to want to achieve the goal set.
Mastering the art of public specking and keeping people engaged is very fundamental part of leadership. If your subordinates are not willing listen to you, it makes it difficult to form other valuable traits like trust, loyalty and building confidence. Lincoln had a way with words which made it easier for him to capture all the other important traits of leadership.
Samuel. I agree that public speaking is an important component of leadership. There are many aspects of leadership and I find myself having the most difficulty with the social part. I am an introvert and an analytical person but overall have good communication skills. I’m just not good at the social part. In my experience, positive and consistent actions can overcome the public speaking part. I try to be consistent in how I treat everyone and I am always there to help. I believe this has earned me respect and a positive image despite being a less social person. I believe this is along the same lines as the ‘natural leader’ vs ‘those who have to work at it’ concept.
Allowing your subordinates to make their own decision but within policy, shows that you as a leader that you trust them. They’re going to learn from their mistakes if mistakes are made. They must think about their decisions and how it will benefit reaching their goals individually or as a whole. Being able to listen to your subordinates ideas and plans. Whether that may not be the proper way to reach the end goal guiding them to the right way is best. Give credit where credit is due.
Great point let people develop themselves, encourage the thought possesses they use to complete a mission. People learn from mistakes and failures just as much from success. As long as a mistake is not mission-critical then allow it to be made. When a subordinate completes a task or fails to complete go back and talk about what they could have done differently to improve.
I have to agree that it is important to allow subordinates to come up with their own solutions to problems and complete their tasks the way that best works for them as long as they aren’t breaking any policies. We are all unique so we aren’t all going to complete tasks the same way. The was a great point made during the module; leaders can’t be everywhere all the time and we have to trust our members that they are going to make the right decisions and the members have to feel confident that their leader trust them to make the right decision.
As a good leader, I find that communication is key to being a great leader. There’s more to communication then just speaking to people. You need to be able to adapt your communication style. You should be able to actively listen to others (listen more than you speak), have transparency, have empathy and be good at receiving and implementing feedback. I will base my leadership capacity at work with these communication skills.
As a good leader, I believe that empowering your subordinates with the freedom of being able to choose while concentrating on tasks in lieu of being given commands or systematic instructions. This can be more fruitful at accomplishing the overall goals and daily tasks. Some subordinates may need reinforcement due to previous life experience, but the overall goal is getting them to want to make the best choice for themselves instead of consistently being told what to do and waiting for what is next. If they are a part of the plan (which inspires creativity and ingenuity), there will be a higher likelihood of a productive outcome that pleases not only the subordinate, but also the leader immediately above, and possibly higher. Giving the subordinates the ability to think for themselves brings a boost in confidence and morale by their own doing, even though that was your overall goal.
It definitely gives a boost in confidence by being able to make our own decisions. The level of trust is there, but should always be done within reason. When correction is needed is should be dealt with in a proper manner.
I am confident that there are many, especially in this profession, that will not look on fondly at my greatest takeaway here. That being said, the thing I really feel most compelled by was President Lincoln’s view on the importance of humor in leadership. I have felt this is one of the most important aspects of my life. Not just to bring smiles and laughter to people, but to break down barriers and open up everyone to honest and heartfelt communications. Nothing, in my opinion, forms better bonds then laughing and joking with another person.
I believe, confidently, that leadership becomes easy when you have strong, meaningful, relationships with those who would follow you. Your subordinates need to see you as human, flawed, relatable, and approachable. Having a sense of humor and applying that, especially in this career, goes a very long way. This doesn’t mean we need to fill our read-off rooms with continuous loops of Will Ferrell movies… But think back to those tiring, boring, horrible lectures we’ve all sat through in every training class. The one led by the creative, clever, witty instructor whose banter kept us laughing and engaged; that training was the most effective and most meaningful.
I agree with Smith, many times “joking around” with your subordinates can be looked down upon. Instead it should show windows of opportunity to know your people on a person level. They may share their believes, likes, life stories and emotions. On the contrary, these moments sometimes get out of hand and things might get inappropriate. As long as there is a balance and the subordinates stay respectful with this type of fellowship. This may also be a great opportunity to get your personal values and vision across to them in a non-formal way.
I am a Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPAC) evaluator and am testing the system
The most illuminating part of this module for me was the critical importance that Lincoln placed on communication, in any of its various forms.
While many are familiar with Lincoln’s more well-known messages, including the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, I had not recognized the massive volume of material left behind by the late President. His practice of intentional, thorough, clear messaging and communication is one that any aspiring leader should take to heart. He consistently took this same approach, whether he was focused on one man, a large crowd, or an entire nation.
My favorite quote among those listed was, “I determined to be so clear that no honest man could misunderstand me and no dishonest one could successfully misrepresent me.”
President Lincoln was one of the greatest story tellers of his time. He was renowned for his ability to tell stories for hours on end and to leave his audience sometimes crippled with laughter. But they would listen, intently, for hours. Their barriers would be broken and communication could be honest, forthcoming, and illuminating. Not just because of his ability to talk, but his ability to get points across in his stories.
Two of President Lincoln’s great leadership traits were integrity and communication. I can’t help but think how differently the history books would be if he was the president with today’s media. I don’t think today’s media would refer to him as “Honest Abe.”
Two of President Lincoln’s great leadership traits were integrity and communication. I can’t help but think how differently the history books would be if he was the president with today’s media. I don’t think today’s media would refer to him as “Honest Abe.”
Communication is key in almost every aspect of life, not only in this profession. We communicate verbally and non-verbally as a means to survive. Portraying a positive approach that inspires and encourages while enabling self-esteem boosting is far superior compared to giving commands 100% of the time. Focusing on the main message or goal is extremely important, as those that can envision the overall outcome, will choose to follow and complete the lesser important tasks with a positive attitude.
I am a Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPAC) evaluator and am testing the system.
I am a Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPAC) evaluator and am testing the system.
I need to read the book first.
I look forward to having the books arrive, as well.
If the quotes discussed in the module videos are representative of the material in the book, it should be an informative text from which we can learn much about communication.