Developing a Personal Leadership Philosophy LD 2-

Training Objective Task: Develop a personal leadership philosophy​ Condition: Given a class, example, reflection guide, and format Standard: Email your personal leadership philosophy in the required format to your TAC by the date he specifies Format for personal leadership philosophy is posted in CITLEARN “Developing an Effective Command Philosophy” by Harry Garner, Military Review, Sept-Oct 2012 is also posted as a reference

Personal Leadership Philosophy: Definition “A set of beliefs, values, and principles that strongly influences how we interpret reality and guide our understanding of influencing humans. It’s our philosophy, our understanding, and interpretation of leadership, that affects how we react to people, events, and situations around us.” George Ambler Ask what are beliefs, values, and principles. (Answer on next slide)

Beliefs, Values, Principles Convictions people hold as true Derived from upbringing, culture, religious background, and traditions Values Deep-seated personal beliefs that shape a person’s behavior Principles Moral rules or beliefs that help you know what is right and wrong and that influences your actions See http://www.cadre-la.org/core/about/beliefs-values-principles/ for one organization’s articulation of its beliefs, values, and principles The beliefs, values, and principles of CADRE, a parent organization in South Los Angeles that focuses on schools, are at this link and posted on CITLEARN

Personal Leadership Philosophy: Purpose Articulates “what the leader believes” concerning leadership Creates a map that guides the leader as he attempts to shape a positive organizational climate “Through the application of a personal leadership philosophy as manifested in the organizational command philosophy, the leader imparts his values throughout the organization and affects its moral and operational compass.” Harry Garner What is a “positive organizational climate?” How does the leader influence this? What are good and bad examples?

Personal Leadership Philosophy: Process “Reflection on your life story and your experiences can help you understand them at a deeper level—and so you can reframe your life story in a more coherent way as your future direction becomes congruent with the knowledge of which you are and the kind of person you want to become.” Bill George We are all products of our experiences. What are some key experiences that have shaped who you are?

Personal Leadership Philosophy: Development Reflect on one’s past experience, values, and beliefs Identify transformational events or “crucibles” the leader experiences in life Codify the changes in values and beliefs that result from crucibles Of those experiences, what are some that might rise to being designated as “crucibles?” Certainly your cadet experience would be a likely candidate. How has that experience shaped your beliefs, values, and principles? How is your leadership philosophy different now than it was when you were a senior in high school?

A Sample Personal Leadership Philosophy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jELB-6ADJDI A Clemson “orientation ambassador” Here is a personal leadership philosophy of a Clemson student. As you listen, try to pick our her beliefs, values, and principles? What experiences have shaped her? Note that she is an orientation ambassador for her school. How might her leadership philosophy influence her performance of those duties?

Crucibles: Good Times Defining Moment Thoughts and feelings at the time How it changed you Write down some crucible that you would consider “good times” in this format. Give the cadets about three minutes to do this and then ask someone to share one of their crucibles.

Crucibles: Bad Times Defining Moment Thoughts and feelings at the time How it changed you Do the same for crucibles that would be considered “bad times.” Be careful not to put anyone on the spot with anything that might be embarrassing.

Beliefs, Values, and Principles My beliefs xx My values My principles Give cadets three-five minutes to record their beliefs, values, and principles and then ask someone to share some examples.

Relationship to People and Situations How I influence people xx How I react to people How I react to situations Same for how they influence people, react to people, and react to situations.

Impact on your Leadership and the Organization My definition of leadership xx How I lead How that effects my organization Same for how they define leadership, how they lead, and how that effects their organization.

Assignment Finalize this rough draft Transfer it to the worksheet in CITLEARN Email it to your TAC by the date he assigns This exercise gives them a start for completing the personal leadership philosophy in the format posted in CITLEARN. Assign them a due date to email it to you by. Use it in counseling.

AAR for this LTP Sustain Improve AAR the class as an LTP and forward your comments to the Assistant Commandant for Leadership Programs please. Thanks