Activity 1.4 | Developing Leadership Skills

Time to consider leadership more deeply:

• Which of the leadership styles discussed in this activity resonated with you? Why? 
• Which Leadership styles do you encounter most often? How do they affect your performance?

Note. People are inspired to action by intrinsic or extrinsic motivators (Fullan, 2011).

Intrinsic: Belonging to the real nature of something—it is valuable because of its basic nature; not dependent on external (outside) circumstances; essential; inherent (necessary part of a quality or attribute).

Intrinsic Motivators

Once basic needs are met, most people want to do something of value that feels meaningful to them. They usually find satisfaction in getting better at something that is important to them. A degree of autonomy is needed so that people can exercise judgment in moving forward. It is also important to be well connected with colleagues to accomplish a purpose.

Extrinsic: Something that comes from outside of oneself. We may be motivated because of a reward or a punishment to do or not do something.

Extrinsic Motivators

Unfortunately, extrinsic motivators can extinguish intrinsic motivation, diminish performance, crush creativity, crowd out good behavior, encourage cheating, shortcuts, and unethical behavior, become addictive, and foster short term thinking. We would like to receive rewards such as a pay raise but deeper satisfaction in our work is found in doing something meaningful. 

Reference

Fullan, (2011). Change Leader: Learning to do what matters most. Jossey-Bass/Wiley.