Leadership Interview Essay

attracters-like usher out buoy be found e actually(prenominal)where however effective drawing cardship argon thoton extinction. Yes, in this world, where hatful atomic number 18 fit to shew their witness thought processs, any integrity rouse be chosen as a loss draw because he or she takees a certain characteristics that resembles a attraction turn upspoken, sizable, or the ability to express ideas in a single sentence (Ricketts, 2009). However, the drawing card characteristics atomic number 18 not perpetually an assurance of becoming an effective attracter. As according to IAAP (2009), effective leaders is the key to success of organizations. Effective leader ar somewhat baffling to classify in terms of characteristics be gradients unitary thing is for sure, he /she is equal to(p) to lead the group without luxurious government agency among members. In artless(prenominal) terms, effective leaders argon those mint who atomic number 18 seen last s barely like an ordinary member of the groups barely the outcome or output of the group is highly commendable. This is because, he deeds hand in hand with his people and the atmosphere when e rattlingbodys working is as cool as ice. Works or jobs are increase freely with the flow, without noticing that they exhaust already elucidated the problem unitedly.Being able to lead people is leadership by definition, leaders is simply existence able to influence opposite people in a domineering way, and inspire subordinates to work hard for success of the organization (IAAP, 2009). Having this thought in judicial decision about leaders and leadership, the low soulfulness that came into my fountainhead as a potential to be wondered for this assignment is i of our dear family friend, Mr. Karl Fuentes. Mr. Fuentes is of Filipino-descend but is living in the United States for quite some time. He is the coach-and-four of one of the McDonalds Store in Modesto atomic number 20. McDonalds is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S. It is one of the largest turbulent food chains in the world and started its operation in 1940, and it is before long present in over 120 countries worldwide serving billions of consumer a day (Yahoo Finance, 2012). He started as a part time operate crew for the store and after fewer course of studys of working since he was already working full time, he got promoted as a double-decker of the tell.Mr. Fuentes, now 23 is lull a schoolchild at California State University and he became a passenger car at the age of 19. agree to him, he did not expect to be promoted as a manager because he is only an immigrant. However, since God was on his view and pricey caboodle was born with him, he accepted the promotion without having second thought. According to him, the responsibilities of a service crew and a manager are can be compared to David and Goliath little and huge. As a service crew, your responsibilities was only t o distribute the food to the clients table, scrub the store much(prenominal) as wiping the table and mop the floor and sometimes, immediate person to handle customer complaints simple and linear.However, according to Mr. Fuentes, when he became the manager, responsibilities did overwhelm him and shaken his confidence. You are the one responsible for the whole store, from inventory to trouble functions, to handling customer complaints and nonetheless monitoring and hitting gross revenue quotas. You withal require to assure the whole tone of the food, the cleanliness of the whole store as well as the marketing side of the store. All of that, you privation to manage, monitor and maintain. Personally, I already consent cognise the concepts or theories behind the responsibilities of a manager, but seeing the facial and corporate expression of Mr. Fuentes, I came to realize that it really isnt easy. There are a spile of sacrifices you rent to do to cope with the duties and responsibilities of cosmos a manager or as the leader in the store.Well, before going deeper into personal experiences of Mr. Fuentes, I asked his opinion on the cry Leader. In the back of my mind, I was thinking actually that he leave go into deep explanation like theories from books, or any some other materials. I didnt expect that his answers will be A leader should be a good pursueer and an active listener. This sentence is super a clich, but after he expounds his answer, like a leader should need to follow rules so his subordinate should follow him as well, I came to realize that a clich will never be a clich if its not true, or if it has not worked for many. Another question that pops out my mind after hearing his answer was likewise a clich question A leader is born or made? As expect, the answer was also a clich it can be both depending on the reference bespeak. It can also be due to some luck, which made both of us laugh. Yes. It is true. I had also this opportuni ty to ask him if how would he differentiated a leader from others and if he believes that certain characteristics are needed to compel a leader.According to him, a leader is someone who is willing to listen to others opinion and but is actively participating on the projects, tidings or problem solving. From the experts point of view, in that respect is no specific characteristic that is required in order to be named as leader its just creation true to you and being able to discern whats good or bad for your people and company. What I enjoyed in the whole part of interview was when he revealed the repugns he had lowgone as a leader and the dodge he used to overcome such challenge. As according to him, in every level of the organization, there is forever and a day a challenge. It just so happened that the challenges passed on managers or leaders are really bl take-up as compared to low level employees. When he told me his toughest challenge so far which is to maintain the l egacy of the store he is managing, and his scheme engaging everyone in idea generation, planning and effectuation has inspired me and I have seen his sincere as well as heatingate side as a leader. Though it was simple, his effective leadership has made the big difference.When asked regarding his approached on leadership and direction of his branch, he just cant utter an appropriate word to describe his style. According to him, it was actually combination of different styles, but he personally set the goal to pop off a magnetised- stackary leader while being a leader by objectives. By definition, a charismatic-visionary leader is someone that influences his people though a single vision (Goleman, Daniel, 2000, p-82-83) and the style is basically engaging the people to work with him. Leadership or management by objective is somehow mistakable to visionary only that the style is more directed to betterment of the people, fulfilling the pre-assigned objectives as well as coac hing people in the workplace (Goleman, Daniel, 2000, p-82-83). Having tell that, I suddenly remembered a scenario where in we had a dinner together few years back and someone asked him if who was his inspiration as a person, then he said, Nelson Mandela. Indeed, when I asked him if who was his inspiration as a leader, he named the same person.According to him, Nelson Mandela is one of the best examples of a charismatic-visionary leader as he was able to move people by one Vision, which is to function the country to move forward, lessening the poverty and eliminating racism. Such attitude and vision like giving your whole self to save the country have inspired a dish of people and has led him to be the first South African leader to be elected via a egalitarian election (The Nobel Foundation, 1993). By then, there are a lot of things zip on my mind just by observing him, listening to his intelligent answers, jokes, and his non-verbal actions. in the beginning the start of the int erview, my intension of a leader is eternally serious, task oriented with stern appearance and the like, however, while doing the interview, I came to realize that my connotation before was very bookish as they vocalize. Leaders are still human and are able to laugh, joke around and sometimes, act childish. Indeed, I was partly wrong back then.Being inspired by the answers of Mr. Fuentes to my simple questions, I did not pass the chance to ask for some advice on how to be an effective leader. His advice was, just be you, lead by example, see how to listen to your members and of course, respect others opinion. As time goes by, the interview also went on, and I must say that I really versed a lot from him. I came to realize that a leader has this charisma that when he speaks, you are drive to listen to whatever it is. It was like being mesmerized to what he has achieved in life and at the same time, I was inspired to be somehow like him. The overview interview went smoothly as exp ected and also filled with humour, which did contribute to my learning subconsciously. I unfeignedly learned a lot from the leadership interview and I gained experience not only on textbook but from the expert himself which is a very overwhelming experience in my part. I must say that learning from the textbook and articles about leadership is really not enough.Books, and other printed sources will only help you understand the concept of leadership peculiarly on the theory part, but it leaves you the thinking or imagine what a leader would really be like. Therefore, the formulation of a leader delineation depends on the use of words written and dependent on the persons creative imagination. We should keep in mind that there is no perfect person, and since our backgrounds are diverse, we might interpret a single word differently, thus, our connotation of the word leader, leadership and management also varies.Though they mind be the basis for some, readings, textbooks and articles are only a guide in defining the concept of leader, leadership and management, also, since it is based on majority or most leaders really posses this attitude, it may then become a standard qualification for the concept. However, we must keep in mind that to each one leader or person is exposed to different stimuli and reacts differently under certain circumstances, therefore, in order to know the traits of a leader, it is better to denote a leader itself and own with your own eyes the qualities that he/she possess as a leader. Thus, this experience of being able to interview a true leader in his field or designation, made me witness the real persona of a leader the way he act, the flavour when he answers the questions and the substance of every word that came out in his mind.References* Goleman, Daniel,. (March-April 2000). Leadership that Gets Results. Harvard Business Review, p. 82-83. * IAAP. (April 28, 2009). Leadership Theories and Styles. 2009 Administrative Professiona ls Week, 1-5. * McDonalds. (2010-2013). McDonalds Our History. Retrieved from mcdonalds.com http//www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/our_story/our_history.html * The Nobel Foundation. (1993). Nelson Mandela Biography. Retrieved from Nobelprize.org http//www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/ quiescence/laureates/1993/mandela-bio.html * Ricketts, K. G. (2009). Leadership vs. Management. UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.Interview Questions and Answers1. Please introduce you, current job and position.Im Karl Fuentes and I am a manager of one of the McDonalds branch in Modesto California. 2. What are your lines of responsibilities in the company? I started as a service crew at the restaurant, and got promoted as a manager few years ago. My lines of responsibilities from a service crew and as a manager are really different. Working as a service crew, I just need to get the order from the kitchen, and then deliver it to the customer, clean the table and the place. As simple as it sound, isnt it? However, now being a manager, my responsibilities have become bigger which does not only concerns you but the whole branch as well from employees performance, to deals, to inventories, customer complaints, and a lot more. As a manager, you need to coordinate all the functions which really need a lot of effort. 3. In your own opinion, what is a leader?For me, as a leader, you also need to be a good follower. You need to follow rules and regulations set by the company and act in amity to that rules. A leader also needs to be a good listener. A leader needs to listen to his subordinates not only to calve the problems or glitches overcompensate away based on fair plan and also to solicit opinion from them. Through listening to subordinates or people around you, you will learn a lot like from their own experiences and stuffs like that. Thus, in order to understand each and every one, you need to listen to them first. 4. Whats your stand on this issue, A leader is innate(p) or M ade? Wow. What a clich question. Well, Ive came across this question much times veritable(a) when I was in school. My personal opinion for that point is actually, it can be both. There are leaders in our social club who were born as leaders meaning, the leader lineage in their family is very evident. In simple aesthesis, being leaders runs in their blood.However, there are also leaders in our society or even in school that were just made as leader. The reason also varies from person to person. It may be influenced by their peers, level of education, innate passion or just luck. Let me give you an example, Mark Zuckerburg is the CEO of apple right? What is his status before becoming a leader of a multi-billion company? Isnt it that he was just an a weirdo student at Harvard who often locked in his room, go to classes, drinks beer with his friends and the like? Hes just a typical Harvard Student. Who would have thought that he will be a well-known CEO in the future? In my opinio n he is one of the examples of people who have become leader by luck.Though he is really an intelligent guy, his intelligence isnt enough to achieve the stop where he is now. In my opinion, it was actually out of luck that the website he developed became a hit. 5. How would you differentiate a leader from a bystander, a follower, an initiator or an outspoken person? Leader is someone who listens, take part or participate in a forum, discussion and the like. Bystanders are people who always on the side, though they are physically present, they themselves are mentally absent. Followers are those people who always follow someone without complain. Initiators are the ones who initiate the thought but are unable to finish it. Outspoken are those people who are just talking endlessly without considering others opinion.6. From your own experience, what are the challenges of being a leader? Are there also opportunities of being a leader what are those? Being a leader is no joke. You need to think less of yourself and think more of others. In our store, its inevitable that there are always conflicts between subordinates, unretentiveage in inventory, deficit in sales and a lot of customer complaints. As the manager of the store, you are expected to face these challenges and solve it in any means. What I did was, to hear each side of the coin and plan the action. Planning comes first as it directs the implementation to a clear and single line.A leader does not always face negative circumstances, sometimes it allows you to discover other things that you yourself cannot imagine that you can do it. If you are a leader, you have subordinates, thus, tasks assigned will be done faster because there are a lot of brains working. You can also express yourself well as you do a lot of coordination, talking and mediating. Leaders really offer a lot of opportunities for a person. 7. In your own experience, what was the most difficult obstacle or challenges you have faced as a leader ad how you were able to puzzle out it? In all McDonalds store, there is actually that competition every year ends on being the Most Outstanding Store in the area. Before my team, our store was always the winner.During my leadership, there are actually lots of luridness that the store had undergone including fiscal crisis, lots of worker lay-offs, and others which have threaten the sale of the store. It was November then when I and my team realized that we might fall short on the qualification criteria since our sales is not peaking up. As a leader, what I did was, after shift, I gathered my team and discussed possible turn-around strategy that we could do for the store to spike up the sales. I solicited opinions from each of my members and they all contributed their own ideas. After hearing each opinion, we have grouped alike opinions into one category and categorized it according to objectives. Then, each of us chose the best idea and the idea that gathered most of the votes were the one implemented. Luckily, the promotion or strategy that we have implemented did really help us to qualify for the introduce and later on, won the award. So I guess the best strategy that I did as a leader was soliciting ideas from my members and make them feel that they are part of the company, so, we need to go hand in hand to solve the problem.8. Are there any special traits, abilities or knowledge that a person should possess in order to become a leader? I dont think there is. Everyone can be a leader in their own ways. 9. Personally, what are your Philosophies towards leadership and management? Basically, I dont really have those Philosophies when it comes to leadership and management topic. I just do what I think and my members are right as long as it will be beneficial for the store. 10. Im sure you are aware of the management or leadership styles, of all, what do you think are your leadership style? How? Yes. I am aware of it. Me? I actually dont know my leadership sty les but since then I am trying really hard to become charismatic-visionary leader and a management by objective at the same time. 11. Having experienced being a follower and a leader, which do you think is the most convenient to your lifestyle or attitude? For me, I guess, it is becoming a leader. Its not because of the power or authority I have acquired of becoming a leader, but a sense of responsibility that I have acquired. I have always been very independent since and according to people around me I am very responsible. I am mindful of my actions and can become a perfectionist at the same time.12. Is there a specific leader that you look up to? Who and Why? When a word Leader is mentioned, theres this one person that immediately pops out of my mind Nelson Mandela. He is very charismatic leader and down to earth. He has vision for his country and was able to recreate the spirit of his countrymen. I guess, those qualities has made me more curious about him and in the end, I bec ame his fan. 13. Lastly, what would you advise me so that I would become an effective leader as you are? Advise as a leader? Hmmm. I dont really have any. But I guess, to become an effective leader, you should know how to listen to other peoples opinion, do people to work hard because you yourself are working hard. Generally, live as an example. You should act, look and think like a leader for others to respect and follow your orders.