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Self-Reflection - Leadership Development

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Self-Reflection - Leadership Development
Many varied management and leadership philosophies exist and no single style or approach can be considered to be the ‘correct’ one. Regardless of management and leadership philosophies, self-reflection has played, and will continue to play, a significant role in the shaping of a managers leadership philosophy. Depending on the level of consciousness that a manager has in regards to self-reflection, along with how they communication their management and leadership philosophies, will affect their performance as a manager. Like all managers, my management and leadership philosophies have developed through experiences and the meaning assigned with these. The philosophies that I have previously employed have not always allowed me to adequately address a situation; however, by being reflective the experiences have expanded my knowledge base, resulting in refined management and leadership philosophies. Self-reflecting and communicating management and leadership philosophies is essential for managers in realising their personal potential due to the need to actively learn and interpret experiences for future use.
Life experiences shape how individuals manage and lead due to the self-perceptions developed through these experiences. The traits, values and competencies associated with different experiences “dictate how people interpret their environment and what motivates them to act” (Brent and Matheny, 2000, p. 3). This important concept is essential when you consider that others perception of a leader is still being formed passively even when a leader is not actively self-reflecting and adjusting their behaviour accordingly. The effect of a manager not being aware of the identity they are presenting can often lead to negative experiences for those being led or conflict with organisational values. This often results in

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