Running Head: A10: LEADERSHIP 1

A10: Leadership

Abubakar

Western Kentucky University

24th April, 2020

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Abstract

The course has been long and full of useful insights in the life of an administrator. Being an

individual interested in becoming the LTCA, expressing my level of preparedness is

expected. This paper shows how I am prepared for the task. The course made me learn about

the 10 dimensions of an ideal, the agents of change in a nursing facility and the true definition

of a leader. Leadership needs a unique perspective in the long-term care facilities to ensure

that all the objectives are achieved within the set limits. After assessing myself, it came to my

attention that I have not properly incorporated the aspect of emotional intelligence in

leadership. It is an area that I need to improve on to be an effective leader. While leaders are

known based on the leadership styles they use to lead people, situational leadership describes

me better. I change my leadership styles based on the environment I am in. As a leader, I

have to eat last, that is, I have to take care of the people I lead and the numbers will take care

of themselves. I am prepared to apply the skills learned in this course in my profession fully.
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A10: Leadership

The overall topic of my paper is about assessing the course, evaluate myself

concerning what I have learned and also reflect my position on leadership. This is essential in

my profession once I become the LNHA/LTCA. I have learned a lot as an administrator to be

in an LTC facility and I know my profession entails leading other people. At this point, it is a

chance for me to demonstrate what I have learned and how I intend to apply it for you to

assess my level of preparedness and advice further on any area of improvement.

Course Assessment

Throughout this course right from the first module to module 10, all the information

and assignments were essential as they provided an opportunity for me to learn new concepts.

However, some of the assignments and information presented the greatest opportunity. For

instance, while I have an interest of working in the Long-Term Care facilities, I never knew

what an ideal LCT system looks like. However, in “A2: An Ideal LTC System” assignment, I

learned about the critical dimensions of the system. This is essential in enabling me create a

unique system that attends perfectly well to the unique needs of all the clients. Likewise, in

“A3: Culture Change” I learned important concepts about the change culture and how it

compels the nursing homes to transform their operations in a way that promotes person-

centered care. After doing this assignment, I learned for the first time about the Eden

Alternative and the Green House Projects which significantly transforms the manner in which

quality long-term care services are provided to the residents. Thus, I am in a better position to

address the elements of change in the LCs. The last module discussion “DB10: Leadership”

enabled me learn unique insights and concepts about leadership in my industry. Indeed,

leadership is more than what can be taught of the name. Leaders should approach issues in
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the industry in a manner that makes other employees feel safe and execute their services in

the best way possible.

On the other hand, no particular requirement from this cause that I found less

beneficial in my development. Every requirement had a positive impact in my development.

The knowledge gained in this will help me throughout my career and especially in my job

explorations. I will incorporate the dimensions of an LCT, the concepts of change and

leadership insights to make the facilities work effectively for the benefit of all the

stakeholders.

Self-Assessment

Emotional Intelligence (EI) and leadership are closely related. EI is a leadership skill

that is essential for every leader to be effective in executing his/her duties. Emotional

intelligence enables the leaders to manage their relationships in a positive way given the

various groups of people to be managed at any one given time (Ramchunder and Martins,

2014). Thus, a leader with emotional intelligence can drive his/her emotions in the right

direction for everything to work as it is supposed to. Having understood the relationship

between EI and leadership, I do not believe I have utilized this effectively. Likewise, while

emotional intelligence is a skill needed by leaders, I sometimes get overwhelmed by emotions

and behave in an undesired manner. Thus, in some cases I seem to work under the influence

of emotions. I still need to practice this in application, link the relationship between a good

leader and emotional intelligence, and then apply this in leading people.

A variety of leadership styles exist to define various leaders. I think the style that best

describes me is the situational leadership. Situational leadership is a style of leading people

where leaders change the style to fit the situation (Singh, 2016). I know that working

environments do change and this should apply to the leadership styles leaders do use. I am
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best in giving instructions and supervising closely. I focus on main objectives and in so doing

encourage the subordinate to do everything possible to fulfil them. However, I still need to

improve on supportive behaviors that enables me identify skills employees possess. I can be

fully available for consultation after gaining enough experience in my area of expertise. By

that point, I will effectively use the situational leadership style.

Leaders Eat Last

The statement “Leaders Eat Last” as it was suggested by the author Simon Sinek

means that leadership is mainly concerned with taking care of people. Leadership is an area

that pays little attention to the number of people led. Leaders are responsible for the people

they lead regardless of the number. Therefore, the statement by Sinek simply concludes that

leaders should channel their efforts towards taking care of people without thinking about

numbers. Once I become an LNHA/LTCA I can apply this concept by taking care of the

people I lead and let the numbers take care of themselves. It doesn’t matter the number of

people I will lead. My focus will be on people.

Conclusion

This course provided useful insight to the individuals interested in becoming LTCA at

the nursing facilities. It enables one understand what an ideal LTC looks like, the factors of

change and what is needed to be an effective leader in the industry. Similarly, emotional

intelligence and leadership cannot be separated. Emotional intelligence is needed by every

leader to guide them on the best thing to do when under pressure and still maintain the best

relationship with all the employees. Thus, leaders should focus on taking care of the people

they lead.
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References

Ramchunder, Y., & Martins, N. (2014). The Role of Self-Efficacy, Emotional Intelligence

and Leadership Style as Attributes of Leadership Effectiveness. SA Journal of

Industrial Psychology, 40(1), 01-11.

Singh, D. A. (2016). Effective Management of Long-Term Care Facilities. Burlington, MA:

Jones & Bartlett Learning, LLC.