Yongbo Qian

AGED-260: Introduction to Leadership Studies

 

Before taking this course, I thought of leadership as an abstract topic, which can only be improved through practice instead of being taught. However, learning leadership theories in AGED 260 dramatically improved my knowledge of leadership and helped me gain a deeper understanding of leadership as well as of myself and how I can develop into a better leader.

 

In the course, we covered eight approaches to analyze leadership. Trait approach and skill approach focus on leaders themselves. I explored my leadership traits through learning of the trait approach and which leadership abilities I should improve using skill approach. Situational approach and path-goal theory have a large portion of emphasis on follower’s characteristics. I understand that as a leader, which leadership style I should use in order to help different characteristics of followers finish different types of task. Leader Member Exchange approach is valuably applicable to teamwork environments through which I gained experience in promoting a healthy dynamic relationship between followers and leaders in order to achieve a goal. Servant Leadership seems noblest since it put the followers’ need as the highest priority. Before, I simply thought myself very helpful to others with solid considerations of their feeling and needs. After learning Servant Leadership Theory, I realized that there are several examples of leadership behaviors to serve others from different aspects. With the realization of my strengths and weaknesses on those leadership behaviors, I am confident I’m better positioned to serve others better in the future. Last but not least, transformational leadership provides another kind of confidence for me that I can help others accomplish more than what they expect. It is not an easy process, but always worth developing.

 

This was my first class in leadership studies and became a great catalyst to my future learning opportunities in leadership theories and application.