Developing leadership skills is a process of continual improvement. The SPL model provides a structure for personal growth. For this assessment, you will translate your course learning into a personal leadership development plan and explain how your plan aligns with the SPL model. Your plan should define a strategy for maximizing your leadership effectiveness.
Write a 1,050- to 1,225-word personal leadership plan that includes the following:
• Identify the leadership theory or theories that support your plan. You must integrate theory with citations from the literature to illustrate why the theory you chose supports your plan. Write this section in a third-person perspective.
• Analyze your leadership strengths and weaknesses and what you will do to capitalize on your strengths and modify your weaknesses. Support your analysis of strengths and weaknesses with your scores on the interactive assessments.
• Identify gaps between the leader you are now and the leader you would like to become and how improving these gaps aligns with the SPL model.
• Describe actionable items you will realistically implement to close gaps between the leader you are now and the leader you would like to become.
• Provide a timeline for implementing action items.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Developing a Personal Leadership Development Plan: Utilizing the SPL Model for Continual Improvement
In today’s dynamic world, the essence of effective leadership is not merely a fixed trait but rather a continuous journey of self-improvement and adaptation. The SPL (Self-Reflection, Personal Growth, and Leadership) model serves as a structured framework that guides individuals through this ongoing process of development. This essay outlines a personal leadership development plan that aligns with the SPL model, underpinned by relevant leadership theories, an analysis of personal strengths and weaknesses, identification of growth gaps, and actionable steps to enhance leadership effectiveness.
Leadership Theories Supporting the Plan
The foundation of this leadership development plan is supported by transformational leadership theory and situational leadership theory. Transformational leadership emphasizes the importance of inspiring and motivating followers to achieve their highest potential while fostering a supportive organizational culture (Bass & Avolio, 1994). This theory aligns with the SPL model’s emphasis on self-reflection and personal growth, as it encourages leaders to engage in behaviors that promote positive change not only within themselves but also among their teams.
Conversely, situational leadership theory posits that no single leadership style is best; instead, effective leaders must adapt their approaches based on the context and development level of their team members (Hersey & Blanchard, 1969). This adaptability is crucial for personal growth, aligning with the SPL model’s focus on continual improvement through self-assessment and reflection. By integrating these theories into the development plan, the leader can create a robust strategy for maximizing their effectiveness in diverse situations.
Analysis of Leadership Strengths and Weaknesses
A self-assessment using interactive tools revealed several strengths and weaknesses that will inform my leadership development plan. Among my strengths, strategic thinking emerged as a strong asset. This capability allows me to envision long-term goals and identify pathways to achieve them. Furthermore, emotional intelligence was another area of strength, enabling me to connect with team members on a personal level and foster a collaborative work environment.
On the other hand, my assessment indicated weaknesses in delegation and conflict resolution. I often find myself taking on too many responsibilities, which hinders team empowerment and can lead to burnout. Additionally, I tend to avoid conflict rather than addressing it directly, which can result in unresolved issues that affect team dynamics.
To capitalize on my strengths, I will prioritize leveraging strategic thinking to set clear objectives for my team while utilizing emotional intelligence to enhance interpersonal relationships. In addressing my weaknesses, I will implement specific strategies aimed at improving delegation skills by trusting team members with tasks and establishing open communication channels for conflict resolution.
Identifying Gaps in Leadership Development
The gap between my current leadership abilities and the leader I aspire to become is characterized by my need for improved delegation and conflict resolution skills. The SPL model highlights the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in bridging these gaps. By recognizing these areas for improvement, I can develop a targeted approach to enhance my capabilities and become a more effective leader.
The ideal leader I envision is someone who fosters a culture of empowerment through delegation while also managing conflicts constructively. This vision aligns with the SPL model by emphasizing the necessity of continual self-assessment and growth to align personal behaviors with desired outcomes.
Actionable Items for Closing Gaps
To effectively close the identified gaps in my leadership skills, I will implement the following actionable items:
1. Delegation Workshops: Participate in workshops focused on effective delegation techniques within the next three months. These workshops will provide practical strategies for assigning tasks based on team members’ strengths and developmental needs.
2. Conflict Resolution Training: Enroll in training sessions on conflict resolution strategies within the next six months to learn how to address disputes promptly and constructively.
3. Regular Feedback Sessions: Schedule bi-weekly feedback sessions with team members to encourage open dialogue about workload distribution and any arising conflicts. This practice will foster transparency and allow me to adjust my leadership approach based on real-time feedback.
4. Mentorship: Seek out a mentor who embodies strong delegation and conflict resolution skills. Engaging with a mentor over the next year can provide guidance and support as I navigate these improvements.
Timeline for Implementation
Below is a proposed timeline for implementing the aforementioned action items:
– Months 1-3:
– Research available workshops on delegation techniques.
– Register for workshops and attend at least two sessions.
– Months 4-6:
– Enroll in conflict resolution training.
– Begin bi-weekly feedback sessions with team members.
– Months 7-12:
– Identify and approach potential mentors within my organization or professional network.
– Establish regular meetings with the mentor to discuss progress and seek advice.
Through this structured approach, I aim to foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement. By adhering to the SPL model, integrating transformative leadership theories, leveraging my strengths, addressing my weaknesses, identifying gaps, and implementing actionable steps, I will enhance my effectiveness as a leader.
Conclusion
Developing leadership skills is indeed a process of continual improvement that requires dedication, self-reflection, and strategic planning. The SPL model offers a valuable framework that aligns seamlessly with transformational and situational leadership theories. By recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses, identifying gaps in current abilities, and committing to actionable improvements within a defined timeline, individuals can optimize their leadership effectiveness. Ultimately, this personal leadership development plan is not just a roadmap for becoming a better leader; it is a commitment to fostering growth within oneself and inspiring others along the way.
References
– Bass, B. M., & Avolio, B. J. (1994). Improving organizational effectiveness through transformational leadership. Sage Publications.
– Hersey, P., & Blanchard, K. H. (1969). Management of organizational behavior: Utilizing human resources. Prentice Hall.
