Leadership Development & Personal effectiveness | How to build your strengths and reduce the gaps between your ideal and your real self.

 INTRODUCTION

After I read and review Leadership Development & Personal Effectiveness by Westburn, J & Ireson, J., I started to think about my ideal self and my real self. Then, I tried to think about the possibility of closing the gap between the two(my ideal self and my real self). Before I was able to know how deep the gap is, I have to identify both my ideal self and my real self, in order to compare the two and find out how deep it is. And, with the knowledge of the gap in mind, I can try to make it closer or smaller, and eventually close it. Therefore, the first step is to find out what my ideal self is. Who do I want to be? What metaphors and images do I use to describe my ideal self? Then, I stood in front of a mirror and asked myself, who I am? I believe it is a very deep brainstorming as people thought they already know who they are. Next, as I already know both my ideal self and my real self, I can see what the gap looks like. However, it is not easy to measure how deep the gap is since it is conceptual. I have to analyze and develop a measurement to measure the gap. Finally, I came out with a solution to close the gap or build a bridge to cross it. I reckon that if you want to be a leader, you have to be a real human being. You must recognize the true meaning of life before you can become an excellent leader. You must understand yourself first. Step by step, learn from my example, and let's grow together.

Step 1 | Discover My Ideal Self

i. Who do I want to be? 

ii. What metaphors and images do you use to describe your ideal self?

iii. If you allow yourself to dream about an ideal state in the future, what would be its specific characteristics?

iv. Develop a range of alternative scenarios for yourself in the future. What are your most and least preferred, and why?

v. What is the relationship between your public self and your private self in the ideal scenario?

vi. In your speech at your retirement party, what aspects of your life will you highlight as giving you the most satisfaction?

vii. What do you want your legacy to be?

Step 2 | Discover My Real Self

i. How do others see you?

ii. What would your closest friend describe as your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

iii. What are you really good at - where do you make the greatest impact?

iv. Would you describe yourself as being equally successful in your personal and professional life?

v. How accurate is your self-image?

vi. What evidence do you have for your judgment?

vii. Does your concept of self include all the dimensions of an effective person - social, moral, and spiritual?

viii. How strong are your emotional and spiritual connections to yourself, nature, and humanity?

ix. Do you like yourself?

x. Do you have a clear sense of your personal growth and development? How did you become the person you are?

Finally, you are able to analysis and your plan how to build your strengths and reduce the gaps between your ideal and your real self. 

References

Westburn, J & Ireson, J. (n.d.) Leadership Development & Personal Effectiveness. National College for School Leadership.