The First Page: Journal Entry 1: Leadership Definition: Write Down Your Current Definition Of Leadership. Essay Example

I have always thought that being a leader entails taking control of huge responsibilities like being the president or even being the leader of a school committee. However, it is until recently that I came to realize that leadership can also entail even the smaller responsibilities accorded to us. Therefore, my current definition of leadership is simply the act of taking responsibility for a group of people - whether large or small - and leading them towards a predetermined course. For example, a president is responsible for a whole nation, and he or she leads the citizens towards different goal depending on the sectors in the country. Another suitable example when a person is accorded the responsibility of taking care of their siblings when a parent is away; this is also a leadership responsibility, however small it might seem. In any case, leaders are meant to fulfill their obligations faithfully, no matter how minor their roles may seem.
As mentioned earlier, leadership is fulfilling the responsibilities accorded to an individual. However, this does not express the completeness of a leader since some may fulfill their duties using underhand methods. A leader mainly sets the direction, inspires a vision and achieves objectives using methods that help them, and their subjects grow in a positive way. In this case, a leader should listen to his/her subjects. The leaders should motivate them towards the set goals; the leader should also encourage hard work and foster teamwork. In essence, leadership should not only entail fulfilling responsibilities but also grow positively. Therefore, my complete definition of leadership means not only completing the responsibilities that come with leadership but completing them in the right and helping the people being led to grow positively.
I realized that being in charge of small responsibilities also qualifies as leadership. In many group scenarios, I find myself playing the role of a mediator in case of quarrels and disagreements. This role comes out naturally because of my calm demeanor. I am usually calm and logical, even during situations whereby it is easy for one to lose their temper. I later came to learn that one of the good qualities of a leader is emotional intelligence, which involves being in charge of one’s emotions, and that is exactly one of the qualities that I possess. Initially, I did not think that my peacemaking roles were expressions of leadership. On my part, I thought that I was doing a good thing and nothing to that deserves recognition. However, I later came to learn that diplomats and other senior government officials are trained to be natural peacemakers and they are taught to play the same roles I was playing in groups.
Apart from being a peacemaker, I am also a natural mobilizer. I keep on reminding my group members about the dates we set for the next meeting and the agendas to be discussed. I also find myself reminding the other group members about the importance of keeping time because I hate being late for important meetings. I was not aware that my mobilization skills were important at all until I later learned that mobilization involves communication and many great political leaders are able to mobilize their people. However, to me, mobilization was just an act of being a good classmate and nothing more.