Blog Post #5 – Tasks & Relationships
As you reflect on what has been discussed in this chapter and your own leadership style, how would you describe your own style in relation to task and relationship orientations? What are your strengths and areas you can improve?
When deciding between task leadership and relationship leadership I don’t really consider myself to lean to heavily in either. That is because I seem to take only particular elements from both and mix them into my own personal style. When it comes to being task oriented, I certainly want to achieve and thus to meet that end I will initiate structure. Where I differ though is that the book seems to paint task oriented individuals with being obsessed almost with doing things. I on the other hand take no joy in “color coding my daily planner” or sticky-backing notes everywhere. As for the relationship oriented style I to take joy in connecting with others as long as they have a similar mindset to me. Particularly I seem to resonate with the label of consideration behavior. Mainly because I seek to build “camaraderie, respect, trust, and regard between leaders and followers”. Once again though the book goes overboard with how they depict relationship leaders as “relationship junkies.” I rarely bother with my cellphone to communicate with others; instead I prefer face to face interaction. I believe I can improve my production orientation, concern for production, and employee orientation.
Reflect on the article. What were the most interesting elements? Which did you did you agree with? Hope to learn more about?
What I found interesting was just how important the 30 listed behaviors became in virtual settings the face-to-face settings decreased. Also I agree entirely with the problems that virtual communication brings such as the lack of conventions for expressing mood and meaning. I hope to learn more about how to overcome these barriers so that I can be an effective leader in our evolving world that seems to bring with it more virtual settings and fewer face-to-face settings.
