Strategies That Influence Self-Leadership in Individuals - Assignment Example

Self-Leadership Name: Institution Self-Leadership Introduction A recent study by Fortune on the top most business indicates that, the most successful organizations have the ability to change from traditional leadership to shared leadership. In fact, most of the top most companies, in the USA, have embraced self-leadership in their employees. Thus, employees who possess personal attributes such as the need for autonomy and general self efficacy are the most responsible and are able to increase production in their empowered environment. Hence, they assert more effort to improve their individual performance. However, there are strategies that influence the use of self-leadership skills in individuals. These strategies are inclusive of behavioural focused strategies, natural reward strategies, and constructive thought pattern. However, it is paramount to note that, self-leadership is entwined in positive psychology. According to Schein (2010), technology has advanced and there is a relatively new branch of psychology apart from the traditional clinical proven form of psychology. This form of psychology is attributable to the well-being of individuals and the desire to create a well satisfying life style that is filled with meaning, pleasure, engagement, positive relationships, and the accomplishment of the set goals and objectives. Thus, this paper will examine the different strategies that influence self-leadership in individuals. Self-leadership According to Burke and Friedman (2011), self-leadership is the process of self-direction and the self-motivation in individual employees during the performance of their duties. Thus, the concept of self-leadership is the ability of individuals to control personal actions and to harness personal strength. These two aspects are the skills necessary in developing today’s entrepreneur. However, in order for an individual to be successful, they must be able to possess a number of qualities. Firstly, they must be self disciplined, that is, the ability to perform their task with or without supervision. Secondly, they must have the ability to set their goals and work towards the accomplishment of these goals. Thirdly, they must be positive thinkers. Lastly, they must possess the ability to harness their own innovations and creativity, as well as work towards becoming the best entrepreneurs. According to Jones and Jenkins (2011), the concept of self-leadership is applicable to both new and veteran entrepreneurs regardless of the magnitude of their businesses. Perhaps what these two might find difficult in the concept of self-leadership is what to do in the eventuality of difficult situations. This study seeks to expound on some of these things. According to Boonstra (2013), times are changing and organizations are dropping the traditional command and control management style and embracing the shared leadership style. It is now common in organization to find employees participating in decision-making. A good example of such companies is Southwest Airlines, Nestle UK among others. The traditional top down structure where key leaders made decision is fading away, in recent times. Thus, employees, regardless of their influence in the organizations, are able to take more responsibilities and participate in decisions making. However, only employees who possess such personal attributes such as the need for autonomy and self-efficacy are in a position to participate in decision-making. According to Anderson and Ackerman (2010), individuals differ in the way they respond to opportunities to share leadership responsibilities. For example, people possessing such personal attributes such as self-efficacy view themselves as capable of success. Thus, they have an inner desire to control and making decisions related to their work. Such individuals believe in the accomplishment of their tasks; thus, set out to do their best to achieve their intended targets. They exhibit characteristics such as persistence, personal motivation and have the ability to renew continually their thinking patterns. Individual who use the three self-leadership strategies are able to enhance their personal effectiveness. According to DeCarlo (2013), if employees choose the behavioural focused strategy in self-leadership, they are well able to manage their behaviour, in the organization. If they choose the natural reward strategies, they are able to shape perceptions and build enjoyable aspects in their day-to-day activities. While as, if they chose the constructive thought strategy, they are able to bring in innovations and create positive ways of thinking (Bryan & Kazan 2013). Positive Psychology Positive psychology is a subject that deals with the well-being and the creation of a fulfilling life style (Compton & Hoffman2013). This life style brings with it pleasure, positive relationships, and a thriving career amongst other virtues that attributable to it. According to Linley, Harrington, & Garcea, (2010), positive psychology is defined as the study of conditions and processes that contribute to the flourishing or optimal functioning of people, groups and institutions. However, it is pertinent to note that, the study of positive psychology is not all about putting a happy face since life challenges and disappointments are inevitable. Rather, there is scientific research that proves that there are certain strategies and skills that have been proven effective in enabling people to navigate the challenges of life more effectively. Thus, people are able to enjoy life despite the challenges and disappointment that are inevitable. The strategies mentioned above are inclusive of, firstly, enhancement of pleasure, which is the ability of being aware of the pleasure and giving deliberate conscious attention to the experience that comes with such pleasure. According to Johnson (2009), there are five proven skills, which promote savouring. Firstly, is the ability to share with others since sharing your experience with others help one to understand the value of the moment of pleasure. Secondly, is the ability to build up memories. This can be done by taking pictures that serves as are reminder of the event. Thirdly, is ensuring that you congratulate yourself in the event of the achievement or the accomplishment of a task. Fourthly, is the technique of sharpening perception. This can be done by focusing attention on some activities while, at the same time, shunning others. Lastly is absorption, that is, the ability to allow oneself to be immersed by sense. The second technique is engagement, which has several characteristics (Linley et al., 2010). Among them is, firstly, mindfulness, which, in this case, is depicted by the ability to act without putting much thought to our actions. Thus, we are able to focus more on the perspective; thus, sharpen our experience in consideration to the present situation. Secondly, is the ability to nurture relationships since they have a direct impact on the satisfaction that one is likely to get from life. Thus, although work is important in ensuring that we put bread on the table and we are able to pay our bills, it is important to invest more in friends and families for the psychological satisfaction. Thirdly, an individual should be able to identify and make good use of their strengths. The third paramount technique in positive psychology is finding meaning in oneself. This can be done by keeping a gratitude diary. For example, one can take some time off a busy schedule and concentrate on the three things that went on well and why. By doing so, they are able to congratulate themselves and ensure that they are immensely proud of themselves. Another way is by writing a letter to a mentor and thanking them. It is a proven fact that people who are able to do this stay happy for longer time. Next, one must learn to forgive and forget rather unpleasant occurrences, and, in the end, learn from them. By forgiving, one is able to let go of certain anger thus they are well ale to move on with life. In a career, as an entrepreneur, handling customers ensures that they will come back for more services. However, there are instances that customers become annoying, thus, learning to forgive and letting, in this case, comes in handy. It is also important to take off, thus, weigh your life. In this case, consider how you are fairing on in your career, your family life, finances, health and play amongst other important aspect that amounts to our day to day activities. Personal Traits It does not matter the kind of career that one chooses to partake in life: what really matters is the satisfaction that is gained from such a career. In my case, I want a career as a successful entrepreneur. Hence, this paper will tend to focus more on the self-leadership strategies that are essential in the success of such career. There are hurdles that come from such a career and how to handle such challenges and disappointment will determine my success as an entrepreneur. Thus, the study of positive psychology is important in ensuring that I derive satisfaction from my career. This is because life is not all about ensuring that you earn more money rather the best satisfaction comes from the fact that you did the best you could given the present circumstances. In the course of the study, I conducted surveys on the different strategies used by individuals to influence self-leadership. The following table based on a score of 1 to 10 explains the most preferred strategy amongst different employees in various organizations. Table 1 Self Leadership Strategies Score Behavioural Focused 8 Natural reward 7 Constructive thought 8 Personal Profile Table 2 Characteristics Skills Engagement Strength and Weakness score Need for autonomy In my career as an entrepreneur, I will participate in decision making Allow others to make decisions in my business will ensure that they take responsibility of the same Giving others an opportunity to make decision in my business will enhance workability among employees. However, decisions made by one employee may affect the others either positively or negatively. 8 Need for efficacy I will allow individuals to improve their skills by ensuring that they work in an empowered environment Allow individuals to exhibit the various skills in self-leadership through any of the self-leadership strategies. An empowered environment increases productivity as individuals work towards the achievement of the set goals and target. However, too much freedom may bring about conflict of interest, which is not good for a business environment. 77 Analyses of my Career as an Entrepreneur I believe that, it is the dream of many scholars to establish completive business globally. However, this business comes with its own share of success and challenges. Self-leadership skills that I have learnt in the course of my studies will come in handy in case of disappointments and challenges that are inevitable. In addition, the study of positive psychology has prepared me on how to handle all the hurdles that will come in the course of my career. I have understood that life satisfaction is not guaranteed on the success of my business rather on the ability to nurture and maintain relationships with family and friends. Furthermore, it is not possible to stay happy at all times, but the ability to act quickly and wisely when confronted with unpleasant situations will guarantee my happiness and success as an entrepreneur. Thus, I will concentrate on ensuring that I practice self-leadership, in my business, since this will ensure that employees employed in my business are able to improve on their individual performance (Blanchard, 2005). As an entrepreneur, I believe the conservative thought strategy will be essential in the success of my business. Employees working in my business will possess the positive thinking attributes, thus, there will be room for innovations and creativity. Conclusion It is clear that self-leadership is characteristic of individuals who have a personal responsibility; thus, they direct their effort, motivate themselves, and renew their thinking patterns. These people are today’s entrepreneur regardless of whether they are veteran or new entrepreneurs. Furthermore, the challenges expressed by entrepreneurs are the same regardless of the number of years in business. Thus, with the changing times and trends, it is important to allow diversity amongst individuals as this ensures that they improve performance and they take responsibility for their work. Equipped with all of the above-mentioned techniques, I am well prepared in the course of my career since I have learnt a lot from the study of positive psychology on how to have a successful career, and, at the same time, a satisfying life. References Anderson, D., & Ackerman-Anderson, L. S. (2010). 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