Charles made me think about my approach to every jobs and roles. In the discussion, with reputable practical examples supported by theory I compared how a leader’s position in sports can be similar to that in workplaces, approaching the discussion with the fact that I strongly believe that specific jobs cannot be done by everyone: they require specific traits (Northouse, 2019). Charles’ opinion is based on the assumption that any person, no matter how predisposed he/she is, can potentially learn to be a leader: it would take only longer or shorter time. Charles’ opinion leaves room for everyone, mine does not.
Notwithstanding this would be a wider discussion, thanks to this observation I was able to reflect more on some examples of extremely introverted people who, in their own small way, managed to do great things. I have known people who have handicaps who are capable of carrying great messages with their out of the ordinary sensitivity: surely such people can be considered leaders of social skills. People who have repeatedly failed to become important in a working group, could get a great revenge being able to become leaders of that group with time. I could also think of some leaders, recognized by all as such, who then turned out to be just a big fiasco paying the cost of “emotional illiteracy” (Goleman, 1995). I will definitely give some more chances to people, who I do not consider born leaders at first glance, especially collaborating with them and improving my empathy: to be better able to take the other person’s perspective, to sense the feelings and basically to be a better listener (Goleman, 1995). Essentially, I would try to create the environment to let them feel in control, to feel as leaders (Kouzes and Posner, 2017).
Empathy certainly leads to altruism and compassion (Goleman, 1995).
Would you prefer to be a sincere and sometimes mean, therefore relatively empathic leader, or a leader who tries to be genuinely empathetic?
The post Charles made me think about my approach to every jobs and roles. In the discussi appeared first on Homeworkassisters.