Bye Blooming Blogs

Well, water you know? My blooming blogs have come to end, but my developing into a leader shall continue to grow. Within the last 8 weeks I have learned so much about different leadership theories and what is takes to become a great leader. To wrap this up and to tie it with a pretty bow, I will reference my blogging theme: flowers. Remember how in my blog “Leadership and Me” I talked about how leadership is like growing flowers? The dedication and the all the tending to in order to make sure the seeds bloom? How in a way, it is a much-simplified metaphorical illustration of what it takes to be a great leader? Well to sum up the theories and contexts I will use my flower metaphor. During this journey of blogging we have learned that the great man theory suggests that a great gardener is born with the talent to grow flowers and that the trait theory implies great gardeners’ possess certain traits that make them great at growing flowers. We have learned that behavior theory says that becoming a great gardener can be learned through practicing certain behaviors. (Behavior theories are based off how leaders see their followers, how leaders go about their decision-making process, and whether they are more task or relational-orientated.) The next theory was path-goal which states the gardener should remove obstacles and clear the path by taking into consideration the type of seed and the environment he is trying to grow them in. If the seed will bloom better with more sunlight, maybe he will consider artificial lighting. If the seed does better in damper soil, maybe he will water it more than the others. Then we learned about situational, which is hard to metaphorically describe with growing flowers, but basically defines four types of leadership styles that combines supporting and directing behaviors based off the followers’ task maturity (how competent they are at their job) and their psychological maturity (how willing they are to learn and succeed). The leader must match the appropriate style to the situation of their followers in order to create a positive situation. Transformational theory states that the gardener will take the steps to make sure his flowers are not affected by drought instead of trying to revive them with a lot of water while suffering in the drought. This theory is basically illustrated by a blooming flower, for the leader helps his followers grow into the people they can be by communicating the vision, giving them the tools to succeed, and by providing the individualized support and motivation needed. And lastly, we learned about level 5 leadership by Jim Collins, which states that a great gardener is one with extreme humility and the fierce determination to accomplish goals and succeed. A level 5 gardener is one who puts his heart and soil into gardening, not for the sake of showing off his beautiful flowers, but because he genuinely cares for growing life and seeing his flowers bloom to their greatest potential. He does not do it for his ego, but because he believes and loves what he does. During these 8 weeks I have been blooming into the type of leader I wish to be. I have found that I really connect with Collins level 5 leader and the transformational theory. I want to be the leader who cares, inspires, and helps my followers grow not only in their profession but also in their lives in general. And I want to be the leader who does not try to succeed because my head is so big, but because it is what is best for the company and for my people. Having the intense drive to succeed and choosing the right team to help us get there is a very ideal situation. All in all, I’m not lion that I had a dandy thyme writing these and I hope you had fun as well!