Part 1:
You have
been selected to take command of a unit with a mission similar to your
current unit. One of the critical requirements of a leader’s personal
and professional growth is self-assessment. Before you pen your
leadership philosophy, take a personality assessment.
The 16 Personalities assessment (Links to an external site.)
is a predictive analysis of how people are likely to behave, but the
designers are very careful to remind the user that the type descriptors
are “just indicators and tendencies, not definitive guidelines or
answers.” Once you complete the assessment, note and reflect on your
type designations the assessment provided.
Write your Leadership Philosophy based on the following scenario.
You are in a meeting with your Group Commander (or hiring authority) who asks the following:
“Tell me what your leadership philosophy is for this organization. I
don’t have a lot of time, so I need you to make it as concise as
possible.”
“How did you come to that philosophy, what traits and leadership
characteristics do you think are important for a leader to possess, and
how do those apply to your leadership philosophy and the success of your
organization?”
“How does your philosophy align with your 16 Personalities (MBTI) assessment?”
“What leaders in your life influenced your leadership philosophy and style?”
Part 2:
Conduct a
two-way interactive (in person, telephonic, Skype, etc.,) interview of a
squadron commander (sister service commanders, CAP commanders are
acceptable for the assignment) or civilian equivalent.
Discuss their most challenging leadership/command issue and how they
resolved it or how they have dealt with it if it was not resolved.
(Note: The interviewee must have at least 12 months experience in a
command equivalent position; retired officers are not acceptable, and
any civilians must work for DoD).
Discuss what influenced their decision-making process, what
skills/competencies they used to resolve or address it, what best
prepared them to deal with the situation, and the outcome
(personally/organizationally).
Were there any decisions they would change? Did they take criticism
(internal or external) for any of the decisions they made, and how has
that influenced their professional development and/or their unit?
Discuss what resources they used (peers, mentors, values, etc.) to
make their decisions. Write a summary of the interview. Do not post any
actual names or organizations.
part 3:
Write an
analysis of the interviewee’s actions. Evaluate the situation based on
your leadership philosophy. How would your philosophy influence your
actions if you experienced the same challenge? Would you do things
differently? Why or why not? This is another area of the essay where you
should use theories, principles, and concepts from the Leadership and Command I course to support your position.