Dr. Miranda Bailey + LMX

When Lory first talked to us about this LMX (Leader Member Exchange) Theory in class, I instantly connected with it because that is exactly how the bond/relationship between my manager and I formed.  During the course of 4 months, we have gone through the three stages and we are now at the point where we have high quality exchanges and most importantly, trust.

Now, relating this theory to a TV Show was not hard at all. Despite the fact that I watch a lot of series and almost in every single one you can see leadership in action, the second thing that came into my mind when I learned about this theory was Dr. Miranda Bailey from the show Grey’s Anatomy. LMX theory states that “leaders often develop relationships with each member of the group that they lead” and explains how each relationship is developed in a unique way.  Dr. Bailey went through each phase with her intern and created different relationships with each one.

For example, we can take a look at her relationship between her and one of her interns Izzy.  From the very beginning, Dr. Bailey comes off as abrasive however deep down, she does care for the good of those that surround her. Instead of being hated she is respected and is held in high esteem.  Izzy on the other hand is this very nice, caring, friendly, and sentimental intern.  As opposite as they were, they managed to create a very special bond between them based on trust, respect, and love:

Am I Really That Obvious?

For this part of the assignment I decided to take the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ).   After I took it, I decided to give it to one of my friends to answer the questionnaire according to how she perceives the way I act.  The results where very surprising because on purpose, I did not give it to a close friend yet almost all of the answers where the same if not they were off by one or two points.  I did not want to have someone that knows me very well answer the test because I wanted to see how much of my personality and leadership style is perceived in the eyes of others.

One example of a question that we had different answers was the one that says “I spend time teaching and coaching.” My result was a 1 and my friend’s was a 3.  I personally don’t think that focus my time on coaching, on the other hand, it is something that I need to work on.  My friend made me realize how I “teach and coach” more often than I thought I did.  I think I do it unconsciously.  She told me that I always share my experiences with her and especially when I learn from my mistakes and how I always tell her on the things that I should improve about myself, which is something that she should work on as well.  I think that most leaders have certain behaviors in them that they are unaware off therefore it is very important to have someone evaluate you form time to time.

There where several questions relating to the fact that should you or shouldn’t you wait to fix problems until they become serious. My answers to those questions where “Not at all,” and “Once in a while.” I strongly think that it is extremely easier to solve a problem or to fix a certain situation at the first stage when not so many people are involved and it has not gone out of proportion. Many times, when leaders don’t deal with issues unless they are of “extreme importance” they end up taking longer to fix the problem than if they would have just dealt with it in the very beginning.

Learning Through Others...

"Share our similarities, CELEBRATE OUR DiFfErEnCeS"

ARHETYPES+ME

 …JESTER< CAREGIVER<INNOCENT<SEEKER<ORPHAN…

ARCHETYPES+LEADERS

Archetypes -|ˈärk(i)ˌtīp|: the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form; prototype.

Admirable Traits

  If I had to create a list of the top traits that I admire I would include the following:      

         TRUST...your team. I believe it is very important for leaders to trust their followers. This in turn, will yield empowerment and motivation...CONFIDENCE...Self-assurance is extremely importat in a leader. They have to first believe in themselves and their ideas for other people to believe in them too...DRIVE...goes hand in hand with leadership. It is probably one of the most important traits that a true leader posseses. It is the ambition and initiative that causes leaders to stand out, influence, and create changes...INNOVATION...which is derived from creativity. Leaders should be able to think outside the box, especially during chaotic situations.

These traits highly influence one another: Being ambitious shows a great part of a leader's self confidence. If leaders trust themselves, then they will learn how to trust their team a little bit easier. Finally, innovation and creativity is what will feed the leader their motivation to go on.

LEADership and Me...

If there was an award given to an institution that knows, values, and transmits the importance of leadership I would definitely give it to the school of Hospitality and Tourism Management in San Diego State University. Throughout my three and a half years at SDSU, this concept has been taught with great importance and dedication.  With the help of my teachers, I now have an idea of the different leadership philosophies that exist and how they fit into my leadership style. 

My first leadership role was when I was fifteen years old. I volunteered to be a counselor for my community’s youth group, which met on Saturdays from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Every Saturday, my co-counselor and I had to have an activity prepared for our group of 8^th grade girls and be their leader for those four hours. It has certainly been one of the best and most challenging experiences of my life. My co-counselor and I where assigned the task of uniting this group of girls since there were many different cliques. With time, after trying several strategies and exercises to unite the group, we accomplished our mission. In addition, we became the role models of our group of girls. That is when I first noticed how powerful and inspiring a great leader can be.  I am very glad I had that experience because chances are, I will have to face a similar situation as a manager with subordinate employees. 

My ideal leader is someone who is Dedicated, Passionate, and Genuine. Leaders create changes for the good of others and not for themselves. Leaders are not selfish.  Leaders take interest in their team and help them move forward. Leaders form true relationships with the people they are leading. Leaders motivate and inspire. Leaders create room for creativity. Leaders are PASSIONATE.

Wherever my career will take me, I will always try to be a leader that LISTENS, INSPIRES, ACTS, and EMPOWERS.

Leaders I Admire...

Theodore Herzl

Neldon Mandela

Coco Chanel

Pros and Cons of Trait Based Leadership

Trait based leadership theory argues that there are certain traits that people inherit that influence their performance as leaders.  Those traits or characteristics, which are innate to a person, cannot be taught, meaning that leaders are born as “natural leaders.” Below you will find some of the pros and cons of this theory:

 Pros:

-Traits help a leader acquire necessary skills in order to bring their visions to life such as drive and motivation.                                                                                          

-When traits are classified, it makes it easier to distinguish leaders between ordinary people.            

-If leadership is based on traits, then children who posses those traits may be trained since they are little to become better leaders than what they can originally be.

 Against:

-People who don’t have those certain inheritable traits that make a leader may believe that they cannot be good leaders because those traits may not be learned.      

-Traits or characteristics are not the only things that make good leaders; learned skills and experiences also influence leadership behavior.    

-There are certain characteristics of a leader that can be learned and developed.

Special Quotes...

“Leadership is defined by results not attributes”
      - Peter Drucker

“Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality”
      - Warren G. Bennis