Read the slides of “The Leader as a Motivator” and answer the following questions:

1. Motivating and inspiring followers are key determinants of effective leadership.

Do you agree or disagree with the statement? Use resources (articles, videos, etc)
to support your claims.
Effective leadership is a multifaceted concept that encompasses a wide range of attributes
and behaviours. While numerous factors contribute to a leader's success, motivating and
inspiring followers are critical to effective leadership. Leaders who can effectively motivate
and inspire their team members are more likely to achieve their desired goals and positively
impact their organization's performance (Sejdija, 2016).
Motivation, which can be understood as the process that initiates, guides, and maintains
purposeful behaviours, is a crucial component of effective leaders. Leaders who can tap into
their team's intrinsic motivations and create a sense of purpose and ownership are likelier to
foster a highly engaged and productive workforce(Masoud & Basahal, 2023). This can be
achieved through various methods, such as recognizing and celebrating employee successes,
actively listening and respecting their ideas, and establishing clear boundaries of
responsibility and engagement(Sejdija, 2016)
In addition to motivation, the ability to inspire followers is another hallmark of effective
leadership. Inspirational leaders can communicate a clear and compelling vision for the
future, which they can effectively convey to their team. By rallying their team around a
shared goal and instilling a sense of purpose, inspirational leaders can foster a collective
sense of ownership and commitment, ultimately driving the organization towards its desired
objectives(Masoud & Basahal, 2023). Edmondson's (2020) key crisis management steps
include clear communication, acting with urgency, following your values, and sharing your
power with the team, are crucial in inspiring and motivating team members.
Furthermore, effective leaders must possess the ability to gather support from the broader
community and earn their trust. This is particularly important in the context of non-profit
organizations, where creating value for the community and earning their trust are
fundamental objectives. Leaders can inspire their team and the community by demonstrating
their commitment to the organization's mission and ability to deliver tangible results, further
enhancing their effectiveness(Masoud & Basahal, 2023).
In conclusion, the forgoing discussion would have demonstrated that the ability to
motivate and inspire followers is a critical component of effective leadership. Leaders who
can effectively tap into their team's intrinsic motivations, communicate a clear and
compelling vision, and earn the trust of the broader community are more likely to drive their
organizations toward success.

2. How did you "lead" at work this past week regarding the bad weather in your
area?

During the passing of Hurricane on Wednesday and Thursday last week, I had the
opportunity to demonstrate my leadership skills at the Protective Services Division. This was
the third hurricane I was preparing my team to manage. Historically, hurricanes have tested
our organization and country; I have strived to rise to the occasion and guide my team
through this challenging period. Edmondson (2020) provides the following four (4) key steps
to guide a leader when guiding an organization through a difficult period: (1) Communicate
often with transparency, (2) Act with urgency, (3) Follow your values, and (4) Share your
power with the team. I would have used these principles, among others, to guide my
leadership during the passing of the hurricane.

Using the communication with transparency step, I applied the principles of motivating
and inspiring my colleagues with a clear, confident, and urgent message to instill confidence
in their teams. I worked to communicate a sharp vision for how we could navigate the
challenges and uncertainties ahead and emerge with a strong focus on rebuilding if there was
any damage. The planning process was driven by convening an emergency meeting the day
before the system with all the key officers and sub-officers with diverse skills and
perspectives to tackle the challenge of preparing for the system. We believed we were well
prepared to weather Hurricane Beryl by fostering a spirit of unity and shared responsibility.

During the second step of ‘acting with urgency,’ the team executed all preparations using
the best available knowledge. The focus was on being ‘over-prepared,’ not knowing all the
variables. A critical step component was emphasizing the importance of teamwork and
collaboration pre, during, and post-event. (Standiford et al., 2020). Using a team-centric
approach, I, collaborating with the team, prioritized the well-being of all team members. I
recognized that the stress and uncertainty of the hurricane can take a significant toll, both
physically and mentally. As such, I have sought to provide the necessary resources, such as
stored water, emergency rations, lighting, and other support, to help my team members
manage their resilience.

The steps of “Follow your values” and “Share your power with the team” were followed.
As a leader, I prioritize core values of decision-making and actions, which foster a sense of
purpose and unity within the team. This approach encourages a shared vision, fostering
collaboration and trust. By sharing power with the team, we harness the collective wisdom
and resources of the organization, thus fostering a sense of shared ownership and
responsibility. This approach strengthens the team's ability to anticipate and respond to
hurricane challenges, instilling a deep sense of engagement and commitment. Integrating
values and shared power assists in tapping into the organization's collective wisdom and
resources, enhancing the resilience and effectiveness of the hurricane preparedness efforts.

Furthermore, I have strived to adapt my leadership style to the evolving circumstances of

the hurricane. I remained flexible, adjusting my strategies and decision-making processes as
the situation demands. This includes communicating transparently, quickly disseminating
critical information, and making timely decisions to support the organization (Grossman,
2021).

Ultimately, my goal as a leader during this challenging period has been to instil a sense of
resilience and optimism within my team. By drawing upon the principles of effective crisis
leadership, such as honesty, clear communication, and a forward-looking mindset throughout
the event, I believe I have been able to guide my colleagues through the hurricane and
position us for the rebuilding phase (Stefan & Nazarov, 2020). We are grateful that only a
few buildings had minor damage.
 3. Reflecting on last week and the bad weather, what are some additional things
you could have done to be a great leader or follower? Followers are also needed
in an organization. If you are not in a leadership position, in what ways were you
a follower? How did you assist leadership/administration?
In reviewing the actions taken during the leadership of the event, the following are
some of the areas we could have addressed to provide better leadership:
1. More timely delivery of the meals to the various locations
2. More robust communication during the passing of the system. The process
was hampered by the lack of internet and telephone services during the
passing of the system.
3. Improved communication with our VIPs for whom we provide residential
security.
While item 2 was beyond our control, we will address the other two areas as we seek
to inspire and motivate our team members.

4. Watch the video and discuss with your peers if you agree or disagree with the
statements made. Also, use the video to answer the questions listed above. (You
may have to copy and paste)
Edmondson (2020), in the YouTube video "How to Lead in a Crisis provides a
framework for effective leadership during crises, particularly in hurricane planning
and response. During a discussion with select MBA classmates, they all agreed that
the information was relevant and that the critical steps of clear communication, acting
with urgency, following your values, and sharing your power with the team are
crucial in hurricane planning. The steps assist leaders in empowering team members
and fostering a culture of shared responsibility during hurricane planning.
Additionally, it provides a forward-looking perspective to anticipate and prepare for
potential scenarios, thus ensuring comprehensive and effective disaster response
strategies.

References

Edmondson, A., (2020). TED YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxf_SRCcaGo

Masoud, R Y., & Basahal, A S. (2023, January 1). Leadership Competencies in Non-Profit
Organizations: Insights from Qualitative Research. Scientific Research Publishing,
11(02), 255-271. https://doi.org/10.4236/jhrss.2023.112016
ejdija, Q. (2016, December 30). Motivation an Important Part in Management. Richtmann
Publishing. https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p373
Simbolon, A S., Robiansyah, A., Masakazu, K., & Suryani, N. (2020, January 1). The
Analysis of Leadership Style and Motivation Toward Performance of Employees.
https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200522.001