Have you had the opportunity to collaborate with a good leader? What skills, traits, and behaviors made this leader effective? In terms of leadership, effective has different meanings depending upon the context in which it is used, and who is defining it. Leadership that works in public and/or nonprofit organizations often differs from that which is effective in private-sector organizations. What is true, however, is that leadership is comprised of specific skills, traits, and behaviors, some of which are innate and others, which can be learned.

For this Discussion, you asses your own skills and traits that you believe would make you an effective leader in public administration. To assist you in assessing your leadership skills and traits complete the “Leadership Trait Questionaire” in Chapter 2 of the Northouse text and one of the following the “Skills Inventory” in Chapter 3, or the “Leadership Behavior Questionnaire” in Chapter 4 of the Northouse text.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 the skills and traits that you possess that you think would make you an effective leader in a public or nonprofit organization in your community, and explain why. Then reflect on the skills and traits you may still need to acquire to be an effective leader in public administration. Explain gaps you might need to fill in order to be an effective leader.

Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks: CA: Sage Publications. .

• Chapter 2, “Trait Approach” (pp. 19–41)
• Review Chapter 3, “Skills Approach” (pp. 43–70)
• Chapter 4, “Behavioral Approach” (pp. 73-92)
• Chapter 5, “Situational Approach (pp. 95-116)

DISCUSSION 2

Self-Awareness

Self-management begins with self-awareness. Self-awareness is an understanding of one’s own values, biases, strengths, and limitations. Effective leaders strive to know themselves and make continuous efforts to enhance and expand their self-awareness. In this Discussion, you will consider the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership. You also will examine specific strategies with which you might enhance or expand your own self-awareness.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Review the course media “Leadership Competency: Self-Management,” with Drs. Thomas and Miller.
• Review the articles “Managing Oneself,” “Why Should Anyone be Led by You?,” and “Authentic Leaders.”
• Reflect on the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership.
• Consider how leaders might enhance or expand self-awareness.
• Identify two strategies that you might use to enhance or expand your own self-awareness and consider the effectiveness of each.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 a brief analysis of the importance of self-awareness in effective leadership. Then describe at least two strategies that you might use to enhance or expand your own self-awareness. Finally, explain why you chose each and why you believe each might be effective. Be specific.

• Course Text: Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory and practice (8th ed.). Thousand Oaks: CA: Sage Publications.
  • Chapter 13, “Leadership Ethics”

• Article: Covey, S. R. (2008). Authentic leaders. Leadership Excellence, 25(5), 20.
  Use the Business Source Premier database, and search using the article’s Accession Number: 31950745
• Article: Drucker, P. F. (2005). Managing oneself. Harvard Business Review, 83(1), 100-109.
  Retrieved from https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/pl/76814173/76814179/db39320f5ecb5d60edb6a9e64369601a
• Article: Goffee, R., & Jones, G. (2000). Why should anyone be led by you? Harvard Business Review, 78(5), 62-70.
  Retrieved from https://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cbmp/pl/76814173/76814177/4d6ff3f4c1db60b66fb181a9d47eefe4