Leanne Discussionhi Everyone My Name Is Leanne Southwick And I Have B ✓ Solved

Leanne Discussion Hi everyone, my name is Leanne Southwick and I have been working in admission for SNHU COCE for about 3 years. Previously I have experience in retail in my small hometown. My role is to assist students in the application and enrollment process and validate their goals and dreams while mentoring and being an advocate to my teammates. Especially in the online learning environment and working from home, communication is that much more crucial. This course is going to help me solidify my leadership style, tap into my unknown potential, and really help me be an active leader from my seat.

I often say I do not consider myself a leader, but by taking away the knowledge and material from this course, I will be able to have the confidence and motivation to bring my skills to the table. It will be nice to have a course that is specifically dedicated to the role of communication in all aspects. I am set to graduate next spring and many of my MBA classes have touched upon the importance of communication, but it will be nice to invest in a course that really gives me the chance to learn more. Although I am not too educated on football, I have heard Vince’s name and leadership tactics more than once. His legacy and mindset has been used my management on my team when it came to improving performance or getting out a rut during the workday.

Reading the playbook provided a great example of the simplicity of a team and focused around risk management and problem solving with different variables. Essentially, the purpose and end goal of what we are trying to achieve will stay the same, but a big factor of the playbook was how we will react and how we can be successful in different situations. By using this to apply in the business world, the tools and skills are broad enough to apply to a variety of industries and leaders, but also being specific enough to develop a strategy, adapting to certain outcomes, and focusing on execution, scaling, integrating and being robust. By having a plan of strategy, operation, and capital, relationships and skills can be built to have everyone be on the same page and have a common goal.

The power to inspire and to have others follow is a hard skill to have. I feel like this quote can be used in a variety of leadership positions and industries. Having the spirit to be motivated enough to believe in yourself and believe in others is extremely important when you are leading a team. The text talks about instilling trust and building a community where you are able to perform and have permission to be yourself. Establishing credibility as a leader means being vulnerable, having a common goal, instilling trust, and giving everyone permission to be human.

Having the hard skills such at competence, management, knowledge and execution can then be blended with the soft skills of intuition, emotional intelligence, and understanding. Having character can tie very closely with having spirit, high trust relationships, ease of communication, and work productivity. References: Cardon, P. W. (2021). Chapter 1 : Establishing Credibility.

In Business communication: Developing leaders for a networked world . New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education. Hoenig, C. (2002). The leader's playbook ; take a page-no, several pages-from this guide to transforming your team. Cio, 16(4), 1-42.

Retrieved from Haley Discussion: Hello class, My name is Haley; I am pursuing a degree in Higher Education Administration while working at SNHU’s physical campus. I am not sure the exact niche within the industry I’ll pursue, but I have professional experience working within college admissions, registrar, residence life, student activities, and most recently within learner equities and affinities. I am looking forward to delving into the world of effective organizational communication. In previous classes, I’ve had final projects that touched on effective communication strategies, but I am looking forward to dedicating all of my attention to the subject in this course. Effective communication is essential at all levels; whether it be in one-to-one conversations with colleagues or conveying major organizational change, if a leader is unable to impart their message, they will face barriers to success.

From misunderstandings to failed projects, lack of effective communication can be disastrous. In my own pursuits, I believe this course will teach me more about barriers to communication, as well as the interplay of audience and communication strategies. I will admit, football is a sport I know very little about-- so Lombardi is a new figure to me. In reading about his accomplishments and seeing him within the assigned video, it is clear he is an inspiring leader to many. While the leader’s playbook is written from the lens of professional sports, the framework Lombardi utilizes has many transferable applications (Hoenig, 2002).

The leader’s playbook dismantles transformational leadership into smaller action-oriented steps like, defining problems, setting goals, gathering data, assessing key performance indicators, motivating teams, defining success, and setting limits (Hoenig, 2002). What I appreciate about Lombardi’s playbook is that it can be applicable to leaders of all levels and projects of various sizes. In examining Lombardi’s quote, "Leadership is based on a spiritual quality—the power to inspire, the power to inspire others to followâ€, I have both praise and feedback. The ability to inspire a shared vision is crucial to the success of any leader (Kouzes & Posner, 2018). As shared by Kouzes and Posner, “(Leaders) envision the future and create an ideal and unique image of what the organization can become.

Through their magnetism and persuasion, leaders enlist others in their dreams. They breathe life into their visions and get people to see exciting possibilities for the future.†(2018, p. 12). Equating leadership to a “spiritual†nature, however, is something I disagree with. While leadership is a skill that can never be completely perfected, I do believe it is a muscle that everyone can learn to practice.

In Lombardi elevating leaders to such a high status, I think it detracts from the sentiment that leadership can be practiced at all levels of an organization. For a salesperson, leadership may be sharing their new-found tactics with colleagues; for a custodian, leadership could be implementing time-saving tactics throughout the department; for a CEO it may be effectively integrating company-wide changes. While I find a lot of truth in Lombardi’s sentiments, I think this particular quote ignores that organizations are made of many leaders, and that organizations should create environments where employees possess the ability to be leaders in their own realms. Top-down leadership is rarely successful (Cable, 2018).

Promoting leadership at all levels encourages a culture whereby continuous growth and innovation are sought (Cable, 2018). References: Cable, D. (2018, April 23). How Humble Leadership Really Works. Harvard Business Review. Hoenig, C. (2002).

The leader's playbook ; take a page-no, several pages-from this guide to transforming your team. Cio, 16(4), 1-42. Retrieved from

Paper for above instructions

Exploring Leadership and Communication: Insights from the Discussion

Introduction

Leadership is a multi-faceted concept encompassing various styles, attributes, and methodologies. In an organizational context, effective communication is paramount as it bridges the gap between leaders and team members, fostering collaboration and engagement (Cardon, 2021). As highlighted in the discussions from Leanne and Haley, both individuals are navigators in the higher education environment of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where their experiences and aspirations underscore the importance of effective communication and adaptive leadership styles. This paper delves into the themes presented in their dialogues, drawing insights from leadership literature and applying these to the broader organizational landscape.

The Role of Effective Communication

Effective communication is the bedrock of any successful organization. As Leanne pointed out, in an online learning context, strong communication skills are even more critical. Misunderstandings and a lack of clarity can lead to failed projects or lower team morale (Haley, 2023). Cardon (2021) emphasizes that leaders must establish credibility through their communications, promoting transparency and understanding. Without the ability to convey messages effectively, even the most talented leaders may fall short of their goals. Thus, honing communication skills and understanding barriers is essential for emerging leaders in any industry.

Leadership Styles and Theories

The discussions reference Vince Lombardi, a football coach widely regarded for his inspirational leadership style. Leaders, as noted by Kouzes and Posner (2018), need to express a shared vision to inspire and elicit enthusiasm from their teams. While Lombardi's approach emphasizes enthusiasm and inspiration, the reality of leadership extends beyond a singular style. Today's leaders must be agile, adapting their methods to suit their organizational culture and team dynamics.
Haley introduces a nuanced perspective by challenging the delineation of leadership as a singular, lofty quality. Instead, she argues for an approach where leadership is embedded across all levels of an organization. This view aligns with theories emphasizing shared leadership, where leadership responsibilities are distributed and everyone has the opportunity to contribute (Cable, 2018). By fostering a culture where every member can lead in their capacity, organizations cultivate innovation and proactive problem-solving. This outlook ties back to the importance of open communication, where team members feel empowered to express ideas and concerns.

The Power of Inspiration

Leanne mentions the 'power to inspire,' underscoring a critical element of effective leadership. A leader's ability to instill motivation and enthusiasm can significantly impact team dynamics. As Hoenig (2002) notes, Lombardi's playbook outlines various actionable steps leaders can take to inspire their teams, including problem definition, goal setting, and performance assessment. This structured framework can help leaders manage challenges effectively while ensuring team alignment toward shared objectives.
However, the challenge lies in translating this inspiration into sustainable, practical actions. According to Goleman (2000), emotional intelligence plays an integral role in leadership effectiveness. Leaders must connect with their teams on a personal level, which can enhance their ability to motivate and inspire. This emotional connection builds trust and fosters a collaborative environment, essential for achieving collective goals.

Balancing Hard and Soft Skills

Leanne's recognition of the need for both hard and soft skills reflects a growing understanding that effective leadership requires a blend of competencies. Hard skills, such as management competency and analytical thinking, must be complemented by soft skills, including emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills (Goleman, 2000). This mixture enhances leaders' effectiveness in diverse situations and enables them to address numerous challenges that may arise.
Additionally, the mention of vulnerability and building trust highlights the importance of authenticity in leadership. Brene Brown (2018) emphasizes that vulnerability is not a weakness but rather a strength that fosters engagement and connection among team members. Creating an environment where individuals can express their authentic selves is vital for fostering collaboration and creativity.

Strategic Organizational Communication

Both Leanne and Haley touched upon the importance of organizational communication strategies, particularly in their context at SNHU. Effective communication channels play a pivotal role in ensuring that all team members are aligned with organizational goals, regardless of their position within the company. Clear communication also aids in mitigating misunderstandings that could hinder team performance (Haley, 2023).
Moreover, adapting communication strategies based on the audience is crucial. Tailoring messages to suit different teams or stakeholders can ensure that information is received and understood effectively (Cardon, 2021). This adaptability also reinforces the need for leaders to remain open to feedback, adjusting their methods based on input from team members.

Conclusion

The discussions from Leanne and Haley illuminate critical insights into effective leadership within the higher education sector. Emphasizing the importance of communication, adaptability, and inspiration, both individuals demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of leadership. The conversations highlight that successful leadership is not limited to position or title but rather rooted in one’s ability to inspire, connect, and develop trust with others.
As both Leanne and Haley advance in their careers, they will undoubtedly encounter various challenges that will test their leadership capabilities. Understanding the intricacies of effective communication and the significance of both hard and soft skills will empower them to lead more effectively within their respective roles. Ultimately, fostering a culture of leadership at all levels, promoting collaboration and engagement, will be critical to their success and that of their organizations.

References

1. Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.
2. Cable, D. (2018, April 23). How Humble Leadership Really Works. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from [HBR](https://hbr.org)
3. Cardon, P. W. (2021). Business Communication: Developing Leaders for a Networked World. McGraw-Hill Education.
4. Goleman, D. (2000). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam.
5. Hoenig, C. (2002). The Leader's Playbook; Take a Page—No, Several Pages—from This Guide to Transforming Your Team. CIO Magazine, 16(4), 1-42. Retrieved from [CIO](https://www.cio.com)
6. Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2018). The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations (6th ed.). Wiley.
7. Senge, P. (2006). The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Learning Organization. Currency/Doubleday.
8. Blanchard, K., & Zigarmi, D. (2015). The New One Minute Manager. William Morrow.
9. Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
10. Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2009). Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization. Harvard Business Press.