Leaders are successful when they lead others to success. I have held leadership positions in my job and in our union. As a supervisor, communicating goals and expectations is essential to help people understand what is needed to succeed in our workplace. Communication develops relationships by telling stories and sharing personal successes and failures. People are more apt to listen to someone who has spent time developing trust rather than someone who only checks in to remind them of mistakes.

My experience in the union taught me the importance of documentation and understanding contract language. I researched grievances and assisted in arbitrations; I also was on the bargaining team for our contract. The union experience also taught intrinsic motivational skills to motivate people to commit to a common cause voluntarily. Many people I encountered in the union were dedicated to the cause even though they endured repercussions monetarily and in their reputation at work. Intrinsic motivation thus describes the potential energy individuals are willing to invest in doing their jobs because they see their tasks as rewarding in their own right (Nielson, P. et al., 2019, p.415).

The leadership positions I held both as a supervisor and in the union with the desire to make our company a better organization. The organization is only as strong as its workforce. If leaders seek their personal success, they cannot convince others to follow. When a leader can help others see the vision of their success within the company, then the leader will be successful. Transformational leaders motivate others by encouraging them to realize that goal achievement is possible and show that they can perform beyond the levels expected by the organization (Bronkhurst et al., 2015). 

References:

Getty, (N.D), desk photo by Getty images retrieved from https://unsplash.com/s/photos/business%2C-1643301047-612x612.jpg

Amguy. Marble. 16 July 2023. iStock Photos/ Getty Images, https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/Amguy?mediatype=photography. Accessed 8 Apr. 2023.

Bronkhorst, B., Steijn, B., & Vermeeren, B. (2015). Transformational Leadership, Goal Setting, and Work Motivation: The Case of a Dutch Municipality. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 35(2), 124-145. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.ou.edu/10.1177/0734371X13515486

Nielsen PA, Boye S, Holten A, Jacobsen CB, Andersen LB. Are transformational and transactional types of leadership compatible? A two‐wave study of employee motivation. Public Administration. 2019;97(2):413-428. doi:10.1111/padm.12574