Description
The notion that leadership study requires self-assessment – “locating oneself” – and introspection has been reinforced throughout this course. The construct of metaphors advances thinking by quickly linking the left and right sides of the brain (Clouse, et al., 2013) [required reading].
The use of metaphors as a learning strategy, and especially as applied to leadership, is discussed in the Module 6 lectures and required readings. This assignment’s requirements provide an opportunity to expand knowledge, apply concepts, and construct metaphors in the pursuit of better understanding leadership and ourselves as leaders.
There are two parts to this essay assignment:
Part I:
- Review required reading and lecture material about purpose, construction, and use of leadership metaphors.
- Identify three scholarly articles (other than required or recommended readings) related to leadership metaphors and learning.
- Gather three (3) videos that further explain the purpose and use of leadership metaphors.
- Critique the videos using a critical framework and scholarly sources for support.
Part II:
- Review leadership reflections and self-assessments from this course.
- Draw in outside material from a career portfolio, leadership assessments, performance feedback, or other artifacts.
- Define a process to construct an original personal leadership metaphor.
- Produce an original personal leadership metaphor in any form other than in writing. Consider illustrations, networked designs, video, animation, graphs, charts, color, etc. (Note that if certain media or formats are not possible for you to use, please consider option 2 of this Critical Thinking Assignment, or notify your instructor to work out a suitable option for you.)
Requirements:
- Include an introduction with purpose statement, body, and conclusion including:
- A two-page critique of videos related to leadership metaphors
- A one-page overview of the process to construct a leadership metaphor
- A personal leadership metaphor in non-written form (if possible. See above)—referenced and attached or submitted separately
- In-text citation used throughout the assignment and APA-formatted reference list.
- Please no plagiarism and sources should not be older than 5 years.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
Running head: LEADERSHIP METAPHORS
Leadership Metaphors
Name
Institution
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LEADERSHIP METAPHORS
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Leadership Metaphors
Introduction
Metaphors are important in leadership as they focus on the ideas and the beliefs of the
leader. It guides instilling of actions, thoughts, and decisions in the leadership positions (Cabral,
2013). The power of metaphors is to create uniqueness in imagination and allow for
interpretation of different concepts. Metaphors help in increasing inspiration, creativity and
invitation towards the discovery of various concepts in the organization. Metaphors break the
complexity of ideas, and this increases their accessibility. It improves the experience of
subordinates as they are aware of the information passed by the metaphors.
Critical Analysis
As a leader, focus on metaphors helps to stimulate thinking among employees. The use of
symbols and signs helps in the description of situations where the emphasis is required. It leads
to the generation of new ideas and ways of handling situations in the workplace. The figurative
usage of symbols draws attention and helps in transforming different breakthroughs where
approaches used are different (MmeMcLean, 2015). Shaping leadership factors is enabled by use
of metaphors, and this helps in the derivation of the artifacts.
The videos focus on making leadership accessible. There is an analysis of interpretation
of complexities in organizations and invitation to discussion. According to Graeme (2015),
metaphor helps in capturing audience imagination and revealing of new understanding. There is
an exploration of leadership and description of various roles. Metaphors create awareness, and
this leads to an understanding of translation of choices and behaviors made in leadership.
The future of leadership is dependent on communication methods. With the use of
metaphors, beliefs and ideas are implemented. It leads to an efficiency of operating the
LEADERSHIP METAPHORS
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organization and hierarchies that help in improving expertise (Arcimaviciene & Jonaitiene,
2015). The connection of leadership principles helps in translating choices and leadership
behaviors increasing connection in organizations. The value of leadership is encouraged by the
use of metaphors and paths of leadership established.
Where there is the use of metaphors, there is an assumption of coaching other than
playing the expertise role. It leads to focus on activities of leadership and values created in the
organization. Metaphors enhance creativity that develops awareness of different situations
(Rodriguez & Rodriguez, 2015). The perspective of the employees towards situations is changed
with the use of metaphors, and this creates change in matters that enhance performance.
Individualization of metaphors helps in emphasis of the message that the leader passes.
The emerging of new conversations helps in creating a reality of operation of leadership
in organizations. The use of stories, objects and symbols by coaches help in description of
situations and stimulation of thinking process. The changes implemented are focused towards
preparing of the audience on the process of leadership (McKergow, 2015). There is maintenance
of new methods that guide the implementation of leadership in the organization. The purpose of
use of metaphors is maintained where participants are aware of the message passed across.
Process of Constructing a Leadership Metaphor
The construction of a metaphor begins with the persuasion of reasons to involve the
arguments, facts, and evidence. The audience helps in determining the correct metaphor to use
depending on the information required. Increase in briefness and focus on the point of
information is important in bringing out the message to the team (McKergow, 2015). Rational
information guides the development of metaphors as there is a logical analysis of preferences and
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arguments. Leadership frameworks help in increasing value and metaphors are effective in the
construction of leadership notion.
Identification of one’s leadership style is the next step that creates insights on information
to pass to the audience. Tapping on creativity helps in increasing accuracy in the metaphor. The
metaphor should be flexible and focus on goals that help in improvement of results from the
information. The analysi...
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