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Personal Leadership Portfolio: Skills and Competencies Assessment 1 Answer

Assessment 1 Outline

Assessment title: Personal Leadership PortfolioAssessment weighting: 60%
Assessment type: Personal Leadership PortfolioWord limit: 4000 Equivalent
Assessment instruction
You are required to complete a journal consisting of personal reflectionspersonal leadership philosophyinsights gained from your readings, both required and self-directed research, learning from class discussions and completion of a number of self-assessments.
You are to structure your Portfolio as follows:

Part A: Select a minimum of five (5) self- assessment exercises, two (2) of which must be the ‘Personality Assessment: Jung’s Typology’ (prescribed text, p. 120) and ‘Emotional Intelligence’ (prescribed text, p. 153) and any three (3) that are referred to throughout Module one (numerous self- assessments are given with reference to the prescribed text). Undertake the five (5) self- assessments. Once you have reflected on your results, use your insights to respond to the following three (3) points:

  • How you perceive your understanding of leading and leadership in the context of your personal self-assessments and the discussions given about them in your learning materials and reading of the prescribed text;
  • How you see yourself as a leader i.e. current strengths, skills, knowledge, personal attributes;
  • An indication of what you believe you need to do to develop your abilities to be an effective leader, in the context of the changes and challenges you are aware of that impact the global hotel industry.
Part B: This Part of your Portfolio relates to material covered in Module two i.e. Leadership models and theories. Choose any two (2) Leadership models and theories and demonstrate your understanding of them through analysis of their key features. In your response, cover the following:

  • What aspects of these theories (e.g. their key features) do you find particularly interesting and useful in the context of adding to your understanding of leadership in general?
  • What aspects of these theories do you believe may be of practical value or usefulness to you in the context of how you see yourself as a leader and with reference to your present understanding of the global hotel industry
Note:

  • Parts A and B are of equal value
  • This assessment offers students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of materials in the first two Modules in the Learner Guide/subject.
Assessment format
You may write in the first person; i.e., conversational in style yet still using correct grammar and using correct referencing.


Answer

Introduction

The following paper has been developed in order to provide extensive knowledge about leadership. In this respect, a test has been conducted regarding the activities of personal assessment and module one. An analysis of the outcome of the test has been developed in light of the significance of skills, knowledge and strengths of an effective leader. The book, 'The Leadership Experience' by Richard L. Daft has been selected in order to provide profound knowledge regarding the personal attributes, the effectiveness of a true leader. Besides analysing the strong points of the leader, the additional sections have given a deep understanding of the issues and challenges that have been faced by a true leader. This understanding has helped the leader in order to take such effective strategies for enhancing the limitations. In this way, the leader gains effectiveness, that is the major requirement of a sincere leader.  

Part A

1. Perceived your understanding of leading and leadership

According to Nawaz and Khan (2016), leadership qualities and styles help in developing the true personality of an individual in order to be a leader. In order to gain the advantages and knowledge about leadership quality, I have taken such tests that are related to Jung's Typology, Emotional Intelligence and other three tests from the module. From Jung's Typology, I have perceived that I need to solve a new and complicated problem in order to develop my intellectuality that simultaneously helps me in indulging attributes of a significant leader (referred to appendix 2). Apart from this, I have also perceived that a strong leader needs to appear where the action is taking place. In the hotel industry, this perception plays a vital role. Moreover, I have also learnt that the leader not only makes a decision on his own perspective views, rather he values the feelings and thoughts of the other team members. In the hotel industry, where a large number of people collectively work, therefore, this principle needs to be enhanced by the leader to make an effective decision without hurting anyone’s values or beliefs. Apart from this, I have also perceived that a true leader needs to develop a strong plan through which he assigns the tasks to the members in order to accomplish all the organisational goals that earn profit to the hotel industry. This plan is a strong weapon of leadership quality that integrates all the members. 

From the test of Emotional Intelligence, I have perceived that the emotional state of a leader immensely creates a great impact on the team or the organisation (referred to appendix 1). Emotions include fear, love, affection, impact on the nature of work of a leader and also on the entire team (Rolf, 2012). In this respect, I have perceived that a true leader recognises the state of mind of the rest of the team members. A leader recognises the distressed employees of the hotel industry, and then, he takes the initiative to encourage in order to overcome the issue. Apart from this, the leader of the hotel industry also plays an active role in helping others to manage their emotions. From the third activity of MBTI, I have perceived that a leader of the hotel industry needs to adopt the skill of problem-solving and thinking styles (referred to appendix 3). Problem-solving helps the leader to be more effective in order to achieve the tasks with the designated time. Therefore, the leader of the hotel industry becomes much aware of the problem-solving skill that develops his character more strongly in order to satisfy the customer needs and requirements.  

From the module activity 2, I have well-perceived that the leader plays a vital role in performing with the responsibility to achieve all the organisational goals and objectives of the hotel industry (referred to appendix 4). In this respect, the leader builds a strong communication network with the employees and also with the customers (Harrison, 2018). This helps the leader to achieve all the allotted tasks in the given time period that helps in running the hotel industry effectively. From module activity 3, I have perceived a true leader of the hotel industry needs to practice all the leadership acts in everyday life (referred to appendix 5). In this respect, a leader works hard in developing his personal traits and possesses patience in guiding the entire team properly. Moreover, I have also perceived that the hotel industry needs to finish a leadership course in order to enhance all the relevant and essential skills of a true leader that help him to accomplish all the targeted tasks. 

2. Considering myself as a leader i.e. current strengths, skills, knowledge, personal attributes

From the discussion of the essential attributes of a true leader, I have noticed that I possess certain skills and strengths that define me as a true leader. In this respect, I have noticed that I have possessed communication skills effectively. In this respect, I have made a strong communication network with the employees and the customers of the hotel industry. For formal communication, the benefits of email are very much influential and helpful. On the contrary, social media platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp are very much effective for formal communication (Lipschultz, 2017). I have well-observed that this communication skill is tremendously helpful in identifying the issues of the customers as well as the employees. Moreover, I have also observed that I have obtained decision-making skills. Decision-making skill helps the leader to make the right decision at the immediate time without leaving any vices or faults. It plays a massive role in the hotel industry in order to make a decision to satisfy the customers' immediate desires and demands. Although this skill is also a vital factor that has categorised myself as a strong leader. 

Another skill that has been possessed by me is the empathy skill (referred to appendix 4). I have recognised that I value the emotions, feelings of other team members. In this respect, I have expressed my feelings in front of other team members to make them realise that they are valuable persons of my life. It has helped me in creating a good impression on them as they think that I empathise their feelings. This great quality and skill of a leader have made me realise that I have the potentiality in order to lead the team properly and effectively. 

In my opinion, the leaders of the hospitality industry need to have detailed knowledge about the market and its competitors. As mentioned by Crevaniet al., (2010), it is one of the core responsibilities of the leaders to be aware of the market and develop strategies for the organisation accordingly. For this reason, as a leader, I will always emphasise the development of my skills and knowledge. Apart from this, I will focus highly on research and development, so that I can analyse the competitors in the market and develop strategies to grab the customer towards business.

Although, I feel that I have some personal attributes as well, which will help me to develop my skills as a leader. I feel that my empathy skill is good that I have assessed from an emotional intelligence test (Referred to Appendix 1). I feel that through this ability, I can understand my workers and their feelings properly. In this way, it will be possible to develop a good relationship with them and to achieve the organisational goals significantly.  

3. Indication of what need to do to develop in my abilities to be an effective leader 

As mentioned by Maier (2011), it is needed to have some particular skills and competencies to manage the activity of the global hotel industry. In order to assess my leadership competencies, I have taken several tests and activities from the module. The module activity test shows that I am aware of leadership abilities and its importance in terms of the global hotel industry (Referred to Appendix 4). As per the view of De Vries et al., (2010), communication is one of the essential skills which enables the leaders of the hotel industry to guide the employees properly and in this way to accomplish the goals. Apart from this, emotional intelligence, empathy, delegation skill, positive attitude, flexibility and other skills are needed for the leaders of the hotel industry. From this, it can be mentioned that there are some certain skills that I am not possessed of and need to develop to establish myself as a leader in the global hotel industry.   

In the global hotel industry, the major challenge is to maintain communication properly with the employees as there are some specific activities in the global hotel industry. These activities are greeting customers, resolving their queries, back office and front office tasks, cleaning and others. That is why a leader needs to allocate a number of different tasks among the employees with proper communication. The MBTI questionnaire test defines that my communication skill is weak (Referred to Appendix 3). However, it states that through developing my communication skill, I can progress in my future career. 
Apart from this, it is also needed to manage the activities of hotel activities within a proper time. Therefore, I feel that 
time management is one of the major challenges in this case. I feel that time management skill enables me to accomplish the organisational goal within time. However, for this purpose, I have taken the module activity tests. It shows that I am highly aware of the leadership abilities of the global hotel industry (Referred to Appendix 5). I have mentioned here that in the global hotel industry, a leader has to maintain a number of activities. Therefore, I feel that in order to be compatible with the leadership activities of the global hotel industry, I need to improve my time management ability. 

On the other hand, it has been observed that the global hotel industry is changing continuously in terms of the customer's perception. That is why the leaders need to have adjustment skills to be flexible with the changes in the global hotel industry. However, the result of Jung's typology test defines flexibility in work, although I need to develop this skill more in order to establish myself as a leader in the global hotel industry. In the test, I have mentioned I would prefer to work with the employees who have individual needs and expectations (Referred to Appendix 2). Therefore, it shows that I can be flexible with all kinds of employees. Along with this, in the test, I have mentioned that to discuss any issue with the employees, I will specify the situation first rather than see the big picture. Although seeing the big picture will be effective, it saves the discussion time, which is why I need to improve my flexibility. 

It has been observed that the global hotel industry is highly competitive. That is why leaders must have creative skills to develop strategies for the organisation to achieve competitive advantage. As per the view of Wang et al. (2014), creativity skill enables an individual to resolve issues and develop innovative strategies. I have taken an emotional intelligence test which shows that I have a lack of creativity. One of the major issues of mine is I conflict with others to initiate any successful resolution (Referred to Appendix 1). Therefore, in order to resolve this issue, I Need to develop my creativity skills 

Part B

1. Aspects of Trait theory and Transformational theory including their key features 

Leadership refers to the art which is used to motivate a group of people for acting toward achieving a common goal. In business, leadership means directing colleagues and workers with a particular strategy to meet organisational needs. A number of leadership theories are practised. Transformational leadership theory and Trait theory are the two most commonly applied leadership theories. The features of these two theories lead me to understand the concept of leadership in general.   

According to Buil et al. (2019), Transformational leadership theory talks about the leadership approach, which causes a change in individuals as well as in the social systems. With the application of this particular leadership theory in real life, leaders aim to transform people. In ideal form, transformational leadership creates positive and valuable change in the followers or subordinates with the target of developing them into leaders. While performing transformational leadership, a leader uses to work with teams for identifying needed changes, creating a specific vision for guiding the change via inspiration and executing such change in tandem with committed group members. According to Daft (2014), transformational leadership gets characterised by the capability of bringing about significant changes in both the organisation and the followers. The leaders following transformational leadership theory have the capability to lead required changes in a company's vision, culture, and strategies, as well as they, have the ability to promote innovation in technologies and products. The features of transformational leadership stand one of the major aspects that make it interesting in the context of understanding leadership in general. The features of transformational leadership include the followings: 

  • Transformational leadership designs a great vision of the desired future and communicates the same in a manner that makes the hurdles of change worthy in terms of the effort: Transformational leaders play a significant role in articulating a vision and to enlist all the other people of an organisation in sharing such visions. With such a vision, they make people work together and involve in actions. Without vision, there can be no transformation because it provides the foundation for transformational leadership's other aspects (Daft, 2014).
  • Transformational leadership inspires and encourages people: This leadership style is the most inspirational and motivating leadership of all. As per Daft (2014), transformational leaders motivate followers or subordinates to perform their best or more than they expect they can do. They use to make their subordinates aware of the significance of change targets and goals as well as outcomes. In turn, enable them to work for the organisation's well-being as much as they can. By encouraging, and inspiring, leaders build a strong relationship with followers (De Vries et al., 2010).
  • Transformational leaders are proactive, adaptable, and entertain new ideas: In view of Wang et al., (2014), transformational leaders are highly adaptable and proactive in their approach as they take risks, and play active roles in developing their organisation. Transformation cannot happen if new ideas are not welcomed. Thus, as the name suggests, transformational leaders are highly supportive of new ideas they get from their subordinates or followers. These leaders make deliberate efforts for soliciting new ideas and thoughts from their team members and use their insights in decision-making that motivates followers to think new, innovative, and big.  

As per Nawaz and Khan_PhD (2016), the Trait theory of leadership uses to focus on the identification of different characteristics and personality traits that are associated with successful leadership practices across different types of situations. This leadership theory is used for predicting leadership effectiveness. This theory focuses on six different traits that differentiate non-leader from leaders. These six traits, along with the implications of trait theory, make it interesting in the context of understanding leadership in general. As per the trait theory, these six traits that differentiate non-leader from leaders are as follows:

  • Drive: Leaders use to show a higher level of effort. They relatively have a high level of desire for achievements; they are highly ambitious, tirelessly persistent in their activities, highly energetic, and show initiative.
  • Desire to lead: Leaders always have a strong desire for influencing and leading others. Thus, they demonstrate their willingness to taking responsibility.
  • Honesty as well as integrity: Leaders develop a trusting and strong relationship with followers and between themselves. They always act truthfully and show a high level of honesty and consistency between deed and word.
  • Self-confidence: Followers look at their leaders if they have any doubt. Therefore, leaders need to show self-confidence in terms of convincing their followers of decisions and goals (Daft, 2014).
  • Intelligence: Leaders require to be intelligent enough in terms of gathering, synthesising, and interpreting large volumes of data and information. Also, they should be capable of creating visions for solving problems and making correct decisions. 
  • Job-relevant knowledge: Efficient leaders need to have a high level of knowledge regarding the company they work for, the industry their company belongs, and about technical matters. With in-depth knowledge, leaders can make strong and well-informed business decisions as well as can understand such decisions' implications which ultimately benefit their organisations. 

Implications of the trait theory of leadership are also useful to understand leadership in general. These implications indicate why this theory needs to be understood for understanding the concept of leadership and why leadership is significant for businesses to apply. The trait theory of leadership gives a set of constructive information regarding leadership. This theory can get applied by individuals at every level in every type of business organisation. Managers can use the information from this theory for evaluating their position in their organisation as well as to assess the way their current position in the organisation can be made stronger. By using this theory, they can assess their traits and evaluate themselves in comparison to other leaders. They can also get a brief understanding regarding their identity, along with how they affect others within the organisation they currently work. This theory makes the leadership understand easily by indicating the key traits that an individual needs to have to become a leader. 

2. Practical value or usefulness of the theories for a leader

According to (Harrison, 2018), the transformational theory is one such theory that will help any individual to understand the true values to become a proper and dedicated leader. In the global industry of hospitality, it is very important for a person to become a reputed leader that will help in empathise their teammates and setting goals for the team that would help the team to stand out from others. Also, the transformational leader is idolised by other team members because of the key characteristics that this particular style of leadership has. Incorporating these traits makes a person ideal leader because these sets of leaders tend to make the vision and mission of the team vivid in front of their teammates. The leader following this style of leadership also enables him or herself to communicate the message and the goals of the company in a proper way. Enabling the teammates to understand the level of dedication and hard work they need to put in attempting the goal. This also enables the teammates to stay motivated and understand the policies of the company and the team. The transformation leadership also helps the leader of global hotel industry to encourage and inspire them for the betterment. These set of leaders also help the team members to grow because they understand the situations and highlight their mistakes through proper supervision and help them to rectify those mistakes by helping them and making them understand every bit of their work. This friendly and coordinating nature of the leaders helps the team members to stay motivated at the same time. 

In the words of (Chow, Salleh and Ismail, 2017) the trait theory of leadership have six types of traits that would help an aspiring leader of the global hotel industry to inculcate certain features that would make them stand out of other leaders. There are basically six traits in this style of leadership where the leaders have to inculcate these traits in order to understand the nature of the environment and ensure that the teammates are able to perform their duties properly. These leaders in the global hotel industry have a higher effort to attain the goals and the mission of the company and the teams.  These leaders are highly ambitious, persistent in the activities and also show high initiative in accepting new projects and works as well.  These leaders also have the urge to lead the team and guide them in a proper manner so that the teammates do not deviate from their main goal. The team members also develop a feeling of connection with the leaders only because of the empathising nature of the leader. An aspiring leader in the global hotel industry needs to motivate and understand the loopholes of its teammates so that they can be helped thoroughly in order to enhance their skills and make them understand the importance perfection as well. If the leaders are critiquing and discriminating the teammates based on their performance, the urge of working and the dedication towards their duties of the teammates will gradually decline. Another key feature that a transformational leader inherits is being adaptive towards the nature of the work. The transformational leader also helps in bringing new ideas that would be interesting to adapt also easy to perform the transformational leader are also very proactive about new ideas and new environment in which they have to perform their duties (Buil, Martínez and Matute, 2019). Considering, the dedication and the activeness of the leaders, the teammates also get energetic, and the interest of working with full dedication also increases.  The transformational leaders have a tendency of motivating and encouraging their subordinates and other teammates; therefore, understanding the situation and the risks the strategies that these leaders formulate are mainly innovative and easy to perform as well. A leader of the global hotel industry also is a risk-taker whatever situations or challenges are thrown towards these set of leaders are handled and controlled by them very positively and strategically.  

It is very important for any leader to be faithful towards the job roles that they are executing. Therefore, another trait o feature of the trait leadership theory can b stated to b honesty, where the leader has to be faithful and dedicated towards the job role that has been assigned to him. In the hotel industry, a leader has to function in multiple job roles considering his or her expertise (Buil et al. 2019). These leaders are also very loyal towards their company, and they also try to pass on this habit and feeling of loyalty towards the responsibility and job amongst the teammates as well. Understanding the company and dedicating the whole effort and loyalty to make the company grow also enhances the skills of the leaders and therefore, this enables them to become a proper guide for their teammates as well. The leaders of the global hotel industry have a tendency of involving themselves into some of the other responsibility so that they can show the correct path to its teammates and ensure that they are performing their duties rightfully with proper dedication. The level of confidence that these leaders have in them is also very motivating for the teammates because seeing the confidence of the team leads the team members also get motivated seeing the energy and the confidence that their team leaders have regarding any challenge or risk thrown at them. An aspiring team leader of the global hotel industry needs to be very intelligent and must have proper knowledge about the nature of the work and the job role that he or she has to execute. The leaders must have the knowledge about the nature of the work because if needed, they might also have to comprehend the roles and responsibilities to the teammates. Therefore, having proper knowledge about the various departments of the work is highly important for any leader. Also, being an intelligent leader is also an added trait because the intelligence will help the leaders to bring out strategically ideas and methods to overcome any difficult situation.  

Conclusion

From the entire discussion, it can be mentioned that leadership is one of the core areas that hospitality organisations need an empire to lead in the competitiveness of the market. Therefore, I have analysed leadership skills and competencies in this paper with a range of tests and activities. I have identified that communication is one of the core leadership skills in the hospitality industry. My communication skill is good, but it needs to be developed more to be compatible with the activities of the global hotel industry. Along with this, I have found that as the global hotel industry is highly competitive, therefore, a leader needs to be possessed of creativity in order to develop innovative strategies for organisation and to enable the hospitality organisations to achieve competitive advantage in the market.  

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