Reflective Leadership

In today’s workforce we are seeing more innovation, a change in business models and rapid growth of leadership capacity in various industries. Technology and new approaches toward culture have been challenging perceptions and breaking the glass ceiling to opportunities of leadership. Society has witnessed strong leadership from the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama and Indra Nooyi to pave the way for women influencers around the world. For example, for the first time in Denver history, women will simultaneously hold the top positions at two of the city's most influential business organizations: the Downtown Denver Partnership and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (O'Conner, 2013). Leaders aren’t closed in a box anymore; they are doing things and cultivating followers through various platforms. These techniques remain relevant today precisely because they were designed to allow busy people to “reflect on the run” (Lowney, 2003).
Leaders have the understanding of the four pillars: (a) understanding their strengths, weaknesses, values, and worldview, (b) confidently innovating and adapting to embrace a changing world, (c) engaging others with a positive, loving attitude, (d) energizing themselves and others through heroic ambitions (Lowney, 2003). It’s not just men that are leaders in the 21st century, but children, women, and individuals that have a skill-set and courage to embrace changing culture for the good of mankind. Leadership doesn’t solely fall on guide followers, but personal leadership is a never-ending work in progress that draws continually maturing self-understanding (Lowney, 2003). The personal leadership is vital to understand oneself when it’s time to innovate, take risks, produce major change or make tough decisions that will affect others.
In reflecting on the first chapter, I understand that effective leaders clarify their own values and engage others in adhering to a shared vision, engage members of the