MARIANO, John Paul

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."

-John F. Kennedy

Theory: Situational Approach

Explanation:

It allows me to navigate some areas where, as a leader, I can improve my skills to be more situational and dedicated. This particular activity not only taught me what a leader must possess but also provided information about the areas where leaders excel and lack. Like the Situational approach that appears in real life unconsciously and spontaneously. Different leaders have different visions of how they desire to guide their groups to their own road paths, which show various styles and strategies, pertaining to the presentation of the theories, being executed in planning and in the actual doing.

- Nelson Mandela

Theory:

Contingency Model

Explanation:

Effective leadership is determined by the situation at hand, and that is what Fiedler’s Contingency Model emphasizes. Mandela demonstrates that leadership is flexible and adaptable. Empowering others during calm periods or taking over in moments of crisis. His support of a flexible approach adapts to varying contexts and people, which is the essence of contingency model.

"A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell

This quote strongly resonates with the Trait Approach, as it shows how a leader's effectiveness is shown through their inherent abilities. In such, an inborn leader can guide the group in to the right way, a leader "knows the way", as they possess the insight to grasp which path they should take for the betterment of the group. A leader "goes the way", they also show them the do's and dont's as they lead by example demonstrating the necessary things that need to be done in the group. They also "show the way", providing the group the right approach in handling tasks, motivating the members and showing the right approach on communication. Thus, this quote, viewed in the Trait Approach shows that the leader's ability to provide direction, act as a role model, and guide others stems from their innate and distinguishing personal characteristics.

Theory: Traits Approach

Explanation: Leadership is usually considered a seat of power, but MacArthur's statement reminds me that leadership is more based on character traits rather than title of authority. A good leader should inspires others, is a good example to follow, assists others in developing, and encourages innovative ideas. A good leader should possess all this traits as leading is all about earning trust, leading with vision, and making others feel competent and appreciated.

Roflecting on this, I notice how leadership is not only applicable in government positions but in daily life. In either education, the workplace, or one's personal relationships, the capacity to reconcile decisiveness and empathy generates a platform where individuals feel important and empowered.

"Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” - Simon Sinek

Theory: Situational Approach 

Explanation:

Simon Sinek’s quote highlights a leader’s need to care and be responsive to the people being led. It is supported and aligned with the Situational Approach because it asserts that there is really no one best leadership style. With that, effective leaders’ behaviors have to be adaptable based on the situation and their followers’ needs and development. Situational Approach is mirrored in Simon Sinek’s quote, where a leader is basically how well one responds in various situations.

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader." - John Quincy Adams 

Theory: Contingency Models

Explanation:

Upon choosing the right quotations and theory to use, the quote states that whatever your actions may be, as long as they inspire, make others learn, act, and become more, you are then identified as a leader, possessing that you can transform your team into something that they cannot see themselves. A leader who is adaptive at changing their approach depending on the circumstances is one who continuously encourages others to develop.

- Peter Drucker

Theory: Contingency Model Theory

Explanation:

We have realized that there is no "best" approaches or styles in leadership and a leader does not do things right but do the right things by leading the people around them. Contingency Model Theory says that there are different styles that an effective leader can come up or contingent depending on the situation or context. It is also where leaders can inspire and motivate their followers to their potential and develop them along the way. Instead of focusing on fixed rules and structure to do things in 'right' way, they do right things by having a vision and inspiring others to go to a certain path where they will achieve their goal and vision. Having unmotivated or uninterested followers will be a challenge for a leader so, this kind of leader should come up with a style that will help them be motivated.

It is the kind of leader who does not just tell you what to do but inspires you to be interested and motivated to do it. Through this, this kind of leader helps their followers to become better and better as days go by, realizing their potential and transformed self which soon can be a leader material too.

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.” ― Ronald Reagan

Transformational leadership is centered on the idea of empowering your followers for them to achieve greater things. In this quote, Reagan stresses that a great leader isn't the one who achieves greater things by themselves, but rather the ones who pushes other people to do great. The quote exemplifies the core idea of transformational leadership.

Maxwell's quote best fits the traits approach because it highlights the character of a leader. Although success and failure are a collective work, being a leader holds a different degree of pressure, and a true leader must possess impeccable qualities to present themselves as strong. With that said, when we choose to be a leader, we should guide our members and show our eagerness to provide help, as well as displaying confidence, intelligence, and determination in making things done.

Leadership Theory: Traits Approach

Leaders inspire others to lead. This is the best output of a leader should be. Hence, transcending the qualities of a leader across the people around you can uplift the definition of what leadership is. Instead of someone that leads, it can be a someone that inspires and motivates.

Beyond of these, Tom Peters defines leaders are composed of different traits from the experiences and personalities of who the leader get around with. Having a quality that is present from your followers is the win of a leader. Traits approach is the best fit of this leadership qoute.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

In relation with Contingency Theory:

Explain: The core notion of contingency theory is adaptation, whereby you contextualize your leadership style so that your subordinates may be able to do their tasks independently. As a result, when you are a leader, you provide opportunities for your followers to be able to lead themselves. When you show them the route, they follow it on their own. This remark has helped me realize that leadership is simply another chance to help others lead for themselves and others. For this reason, it is important to contextualize events and adjust to them in order to develop more leaders who can be involved in them and provide solutions to problems.

Theory: Transformational Leadership.

A leader is not above everyone to just be seen by everyone, he is there for a reason. A leader pulls up his/her members to their highest potential. Transformational leaders focus on inspiring and empowering followers to exceed their own self-interest for the sake of the organization or a greater purpose. A leader must have the influence to aspire and inspire their members to their highest and fullest potential, backing up everyone with support, trust, and courage. Leaders aren't just leaders to direct task, leaders foster motivation, they encourage, they lead people to accomplish things and outcomes. the leader’s success is measured not by their own accomplishments but by their ability to elevate and mobilize others to achieve greatness. It’s about cultivating a shared vision and inspiring people to rise to their highest potential.

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." - Ronald Reagan

Theory: Situational Approach

Explanation:

Reagan's quote captures the essence of effective leadership by emphasizing that a leader's success does not come solely from personal accomplishments, but from the ability to inspire and develop others. By enhancing the skills of those they lead, a leader helps the team become more successful in achieving a common goal. This idea aligns with the situational approach theory, as it recognizes leadership as a process of supporting and guiding others based on their needs to ensure overall success.

"Raise you words, not your voice." - Rumi

Theory: Great Man Theory

The quote by Rumi is best applied in Great Man Theory. This quote reminds a person to always use your voice in leading people instead of using your voice or your authority to make them follow. It would be nice to let your followers follow you because they trust you instead of just following you because they're scared. In this theory, leaders can be made, hence this is a reminder for people to always choose the best thing than be the cause of fear to most people.

“Leadership is not a 'one-size-fits-all' proposition. Different situations require different leadership styles.” - Warren Bennis

This quote summarizes the core principle of contingency model which is leadership effectiveness depends on adapting style to the specific context.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." -Stephen Covey

EXPLANATION:

Leading people isn't easy as one-way job. Like what the SITUATIONAL LEADERSHIP THEORY says, being an effective leader isn't based on a single and universal style of leading. It suggest that leadership style works best depending on the current needs of the situation and the people. As like this quote from Stephen Covey, it reminds us to always ask first to understand— in the context of leading, one will never know what best solution to be done without knowing what the problem is.

Reflecting on this activity, I can say that it teach me something about leadership that it's not always a one-size-fits-all— it varies, depending on the needs, people and situation. It's a call for us to take a leap into leading with passion, because I also learned that one can never go wrong when your heart has the passion to lead and take actions.

And thus, I believe that this theory really shows up in real life. Especially if like a leader is very observant of his people, he'll easily know what first he must do, what actions he should take and what steps he should continuously doing.

- Ken Blanchard

Theory: Situational Approach

The quote highly talks about situational approach as it emphasizes on adaptability and flexibilty of the leader how he/she will lead the group depending on their capabilities. Leaders should assess the groups' strength and weaknesses, as well as the situation, to be able to tailor a plan effectively.