UNIT BN 961 MANAGERIAL SKILLS

WORKSHOP

Learning Task 2(b)

Action Plan For Leadership Skills

UNIVERSITY OF BALLARATUNIVERSITY OF BALLARATMaster of Business AdministrationMaster of Business Administration

ACTION PLAN FOR LEADERSHIP

Plan For:Ismail AhmedID: 2651730

MBA Course Work August 2006

Acknowledgement of Sources: Charles M. Farkas & Philippe De Backer (1996). Maximum Leadership, Henry Holt & Company; Beerel, A (1998). Leadership Through Strategic

Planning, Thomson Business Press; http://www.cobbk12.org/departments/si/sistaffdevelopment/LeadershipDevelopment/lac.htm; http://www.dop.wa.gov/Managers/OrganizationalEffectiveness/CoachingAssessments.htm;

http://www.learningcenter.net/library/leadership.shtml; http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/LeadSA.html; http://www.chartcourse.com/articleassess.htm

Background:

I work on my own – do consulting in translations, editing & academic research

Leadership Skills - in my role as: A family man – as a son, father, husbandAs a community member: a teacher at the local mosque and an activist in NGO’s which helps the blind

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO ASSESS LEADERSHIP:

Attributes . . . Do I view problems as opportunities? Am I a priority setter? Am I focused? Am I courageous? Am I a critical and creative thinker? What is my tolerance for ambiguity? Am I positive attitude towards change? Am I committed to innovations that are best for the future?

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO ASSESS LEADERSHIP:

Skills . . . . . . Do I set goals? Can I develop and implement action plans? Do I practice and plan conscious abandonment? Do I transfer the strategic planning process to planning?Do I debate, clarify, and enunciate my values and beliefs? Can I fuel, inspire, and guard the shared vision?

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO ASSESS LEADERSHIP:

Skills . . . . . . (cont)Can I communicate at all levels? Do I ask the big picture questions and "what if"? Can I support the organisation I am in through the change process? Do I encourage dreaming and thinking the unthinkable?

QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED TO ASSESS LEADERSHIP:

Knowledge . . . do I know the: roles & responsibilities in planning and implementing plans? strategic planning process, short and long term planning tools? organisation's vision, beliefs and mission? macro factors that affect my organisation's involvement? best practices & research on improving achievement? process of change and paradigm shifts? strategies to involve and communicate with the community?

Why do Leadership Assessment?.....

provide accurate information about leadership strengths and weaknesses. suggest a development plan with information about my individual strengths and improvement needs. It will be used in the selection and design of professional development opportunities that build on strengths and manage weaknesses.

skills that have been identified as critical..

to be an effective person to resolve complex problems to communicate effectively

Action Strategies...Know the people well-

it takes time to know people's backgrounds, interests, key experiences, defining moments, hopes & fearsEmploy counseling method-

uniform information given to group of people will be heard, read, understood & construed in many different ways

information is perceived by the lens through which it seen

Action Strategies... (cont)

While interacting with people, be reflective in action

Wherever there is conflict, depersonalise-

distinguish issues from the people representing the issues

Leadership Action Plan Implementation Schedule

Month 1Personal Assessment, Analysis and Selection of Strategy Online assessment.

Month 2 – 6Implementation Frequently attending community functions. Put into practice MBA unit 961 in Managerial Skills – i.e. methods of coaching, counseling and supportive communication methodology. Be more proactive. Consult the experts and the elders in the community. Utilize principles of supportive communication. Avoid abrasive, insensitive, unskillful message delivery in communications.

Leadership Action Plan Implementation Schedule

Month 7Evaluation and revision of Action Plan Evaluate actual progress against plans. Where necessary, employ alternative tactics.

Month 7-12Implementation of the revised plans

LEADERSHIP TASKS

establish vision and set direction affirm and articulate values have high standards and high expectations are accountable motivate achieve unity involve others indecision-making serve as role models listen and explain represent the organisation guide followers

Conclusion…

A Leader is:a person who inspires others to take a journey to a destination others would not go to by themselves. Today's challenges revolve around change, innovation, passion & creativity. as times change, leadership skills must also change. What was successful in the past is still relevant, but may not be everything needed for the future.

Quote…

…..everyone is a leader and every leader is accountable for his/her responsibilities.

Prophetic Hadith

….. when work is done, everyone says: we did it ourselves …..

Lao Tze