Neil Abramowitz

1. Reflect on your understanding of leadership. How has it changed over your time in PL? What do you think of leadership now/What does leadership mean to you now? 

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To me, leadership is an extremely important attribute to have, and one that everyone must have in some capacity in order to live a successful life. Leadership is the act of influencing yourself or others in order to achieve a goal. There are various types of leaders and leadership, and not the best type of leadership certainly depends on the situation at hand. Over my time in PL, I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of leadership and what one can do to be a leader. Before I joined PL, I did not know much about leadership besides the notion that a leader is someone who directs other people. I now know that leadership is much more. A leader does not have to be someone who instructs others; it can be someone who instructs themselves, and is prepared to face any situation that comes their way. Leadership is very important to me, and I seek to be one everyday, whether of just myself or others as well.

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2. Describe your leadership style referencing Strengths, leadership theories/styles, etc from class 

 

I would say that I am a charismatic leader. A charismatic leader is someone who influences others through good communication, an attractive aura/personality, and persuasion. Charismatic leaders are also determined, creative, and confident. I know that I meet all of these criteria, which is why I label myself as a charismatic leader. My communication skills are great; I am able to talk to anyone and get an understanding of their personality quickly. I know that my sense of humor and persona make me exciting to listen to and get to know. My determination, creativity, and confidence all contribute to my persuasiveness.

 

3. What facilitated the change in your understanding of leadership? Upload at least 1 additional artifact as evidence and discuss WHY you chose it/them. Describing WHY you uploaded something is more important than the item itself. 

 

Myself as a Leader Today

Undoubtedly, the Coronavirus has had a larger impact on my life than any other issue in society has ever had. Since the beginning of March 2020, Covid-19 has forced everyone in the world (moreso Americans) to abruptly change their behaviors. The virus, which did not have a cure until recently, is highly contagious and potentially deadly. After hearing the news of the virus, state governments mandated a ‘lockdown’, in which people were ordered to stay home and social distance. Nine months later, most states still remain in a lockdown of some form. As a member of the younger population, the restrictions the virus imposed have been devastating to my daily life. I am not allowed to see most friends and family unless we take significant precautions to avoid spreading Covid. Every time I do go out to see friends, I am plagued by a heavy guilt because of the small chance I give or receive the virus. Additionally, Coronavirus caused all professional sports to cancel or modify their seasons. As a result, it is the middle of December but I am still unable to watch the Washington Capitals pursue another Stanley Cup. But, I do consider myself to be lucky given my age. Members of older generations cannot take the risks of seeing people that I frequently do. They are forced to stay at home all the time and isolate with nearly no exceptions, because of the much higher risk of dying in that age group. Had the President taken the virus more seriously, Americans would’ve initially taken higher precautions and avoided the long-lasting lockdown. Donald Trump’s lack of transformational leadership is a key factor in why we are still ordered to stay home. A transformational leader “enhances follower awareness and acceptance of the organization’s goals” (Marion & Uhl-Bien, 2001). It is safe to say that Trump failed in doing both. Frequently joking about a sickness that has killed over 300,000 Americans, Trump never acknowledged that the virus is a serious matter people must consider in their daily lives. He also is against testing, a tool crucial in reducing the spread of the virus. In a speech given at a June rally in Oklahoma, the President claimed “‘testing is a double-edged sword’” and asked his followers to “‘Slow the testing down please’” (Yglesias, 2020). Unfortunately for Americans, Trump’s poor handling of the pandemic has led to previously lifted restrictions being installed once again. 

Although I cannot say I look up to our current President as a leader, I do look up to our previous one, Barack Obama. What made Obama such a great leader was his ability to form relationships with and instill positivity upon his followers. According to Russ Marion and Mary Uhl-Bien (2001), “effective leaders learn to manage and develop networks”. Obama utilized his strong speaking and listening skills to cultivate relationships with his cabinet members and other government officials, as well as the people themselves. As a result, he was a widely respected leader. He also gained popularity through the inclusion of all Americans into his platform. Obama was endorsed by a variety of figures, “ranging from celebrities like Snoop Dogg to Warren Buffet” (“Barack Obama's”, 2020). His ability to appeal and relate to America as a whole led Obama to his reelection in 2012. In addition to his relationship skills, the 44th President also led with positivity. His ‘Yes, We Can’ mindset inspired “his followers to believe that all things are possible despite the challenges” (“Barack Obama's”, 2020). It becomes easier to lead an entire country when the population knows the leader has their back and is doing their best to serve everyone. 

I aspire to incorporate Obama’s positive outlook and relational skills into my daily life. As the Coronavirus can easily bring one’s mood down due to the social limitations it imposes, it is important that I instill optimism in others. This can be done through the reminder that we are nearing the end, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Some day in the near future, we won’t have to be six feet apart or withhold from seeing our loved ones. With just a little patience, we will get through this pandemic and soon live life as we’re used to. Despite the social distancing requirements in place, I will do my best to improve my relationships with others, making it easier for us all to survive Covid. It definitely helps to have people to talk to when going through hard times caused by the limitations of the disease. Even though I am not Barack Obama, I can do my part in leading my peers and family through these tough times and onto better ones. 

 

This paper demonstrated how my view of leadership evolved from before college to my first semester in PL. In the paper, I discussed the importance of leadership, especially during hard times like those during the Covid-19 pandemic. I argued how just small acts of leadership that anyone like me is capable of can go a long way. Although I do not have the power of a leader like Barack Obama, acting as a leader myself was and will continue to be crucial as we remain in the pandemic. 

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4. How have you used an element of leadership learned through PL in your life? (either a formal leadership role or a personal interaction).

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Something I learned in PL was the importance of setting real, attainable goals that aren’t too specific. Since learning about goal setting, I have heavily integrated many of the concepts of goal setting into my daily life. Earlier this semester, a friend of mine approached me, stressed because they did not yet choose a major. They did not even know where to begin, so I suggested they try setting small goals to eventually lead them to choosing a major, instead of pressuring themselves to pick one immediately. I explained how they should set their goals, and within a few weeks, they had decided on a major they were excited to pursue.