Discussion: Leadership

Before you start to work in this forum, be sure to view the media presentations for this unit.

We all have our own definitions of leadership, and our own expectations about what leaders must do and should do. While defining leadership is difficult, we all recognize good leadership when we see it. Leadership is "modeling the way" and encouraging and inspiring others to act, to change, to embrace the organization's vision and goals. Can anyone be a leader? Are all people leaders? Do some people lead better than others? Is leadership an innate quality? Are some people what we might call "born leaders?" Can leadership be learned? How is leadership formed in an organization? These are questions that we must ask when we examine our own personal role and the roles of others within an organization.

Please respond to the following points in your initial post:

• Identify the organization where you work or any organization where you are a member. Describe the culture of the organization.
• From your own perspective, identify and describe the type of leadership that exists in this organization.
• Using what you are learning in this first unit, do you think the leader or leaders demonstrate effective leadership? Why or why not?
• Does this leader manage or lead? Explain your reasoning.
• Do you feel your leader is credible? Why or why not? How could this leader improve his or her credibility?
• If you were this person's mentor, how would you help this person become a better leader?