Leadership Strengths

Complete a SWOT analysis of yourself, and write 3–5 pages about how the results of your SWOT analysis might be used in both a workplace setting and in the community.

Effective leaders are those who can scan the environment, who are willing to receive feedback from others about their own performance, and who are willing to try new things; hence the emphasis on integration with self-discovery and ongoing learning.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

  • Competency 1: Evaluate the purpose and relevance of leadership.
    • Describe leadership style or characteristics as represented by individual strengths.
    • Explain how leadership style or characteristics can be used to overcome perceived individual weaknesses.
    • Explain how leadership style or characteristics can be used to explore opportunities.
    • Analyze how leadership style or characteristics can be used to overcome threats.
  • Competency 2: Evaluate how leadership strengths apply in the workplace and within the community.
    • Analyze the relationship between individual strengths, leadership style or characteristics, and workplace setting.

    Perhaps one of the most common concerns of aspiring leaders is about their skill sets and competencies. What does someone need to do in order to be a successful and effective leader? More and more, research findings are providing support for a model that embraces self-awareness, self-reflection, and emotional intelligence.

  • As you prepare to complete this assessment, you may want to think about other related issues to deepen your understanding or broaden your viewpoint. You are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community. Note that these questions are for your own development and exploration and do not need to be completed or submitted as part of your assessment.
    • Bill Gates said, “As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others” (Sources of Insight, 2011). What does that mean? How might it influence the way you view leadership power and authority?
    • How do effective leaders empower and support those around them?
    Reference

    Sources of Insight. (2011, January 19). Lessons learned from Bill Gates. Retrieved from http://sourcesofinsight.com/lessons-learned-from-b…

    Suggested Resources

    The resources provided here are optional. You may use other resources of your choice to prepare for this assessment; however, you will need to ensure that they are appropriate, credible, and valid. The BUS-FP3012 – Fundamentals of Leadership Library Guide can help direct your research, and the Supplemental Resources and Research Resources, both linked from the left navigation menu in your courseroom, provide additional resources to help support you.

    Capella University Library Resources
    Bookstore Resources

    These resources are available from the Capella University Bookstore:

    • Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary things happen in organizations (5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
      • Chapter 9, “Strengthen Others,” pages 241–269.
      • Chapter 10, “Recognize Contributions,” pages 273–299.
      • Chapter 11, “Celebrate the Values and Victories,” pages 301–328.
    • Rath, T., & Conchie, B. (2008). Strengths based leadership: Great leaders, teams, and why people follow. New York, NY: Gallup Press.
      • “Leading With Your Strengths: A Guide to the 34 Themes in Strengths Based Leadership,” pages 101–235.

    Preparation

    You are probably already familiar with the business practice of conducting a SWOT analysis, but you are encouraged to conduct independent research on this term, as necessary. Complete an abbreviated version of a SWOT analysis on your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Use the criteria below as a guideline for your analysis. You will use your SWOT analysis results to complete this assessment.

    Strengths

    Briefly identify and describe your top five strengths. When you think about your areas of strength, be sure to consider:

    • Advantages (skills, education, experience) you have that others do not.
    • The achievements you are most proud of.
    • Things you do better than anyone else.
    • Special connections you may have.
    • Resources that are available to you.

    Be sure to consider how others see you as well as how you see yourself.

    Weaknesses

    Briefly identify and describe three areas of weakness. Some things to consider might be:

    • Tasks you avoid doing because you do not feel confident doing them.
    • Negative work habits, such as often being late, disorganized, or easily stressed.
    • Your level of confidence in your skills, education, or experience.
    • Personality traits that might hold you back. For example, do you have a fear of public speaking, yet work where you are expected to conduct regular meetings?

    Just as with your strengths, be sure to consider how others see you.

    Opportunities

    Briefly identify and describe at least two opportunities for growth. It may help you to think about:

    • Do you have a network of influential contacts?
    • Is there a need in your company or industry that no one has been able to fill?
    • Are there trends in your company that you could use to your advantage?
    • Can you offer solutions to problems within your company?
    Threats

    Briefly identify and describe at least two threats you are facing. These may be in the form of:

    • Obstacles you are facing at work.
    • Competition for positions or projects.
    • A major change in the nature of your job.
    • Your weaknesses.

    Requirements

    Determine how the results of your SWOT analysis might be used in both a workplace setting and in the community. In your assessment, address the following:

    • Identify and describe the leadership style or characteristics you see reflected in your strengths.
    • Explain how you can apply the leadership style or characteristics to overcome perceived weaknesses.
    • Explain how you can use the leadership style or characteristics to explore opportunities.
    • Analyze how the leadership style or characteristics represented in your strengths could be used to overcome threats.
    • Associate the leadership style or characteristics represented in your strengths with the type of work you believe would best support them. Analyze how well your current career fits your leadership style.
    Additional Requirements
    • Format your paper according to APA (6th edition) style and formatting guidelines, including a title page as well as a references page with APA-formatted citations.
    • Include references from at least two scholarly sources.
    • Include your SWOT analysis as an appendix. Note: The SWOT analysis will not be graded directly.
    • Your completed assessment should be 3–5 pages in length (page count excluding the title page, SWOT analysis, and references).