Defining leadership is often a difficult task. There are several words that come to mind when attempting to describe a leader: visionary, influential, respectable, respectful, motivating, encouraging, knowledgable, inclusive, and engaged. Rather than defining a leader, however, it is sometimes easier to recognize a leader. In my opinion, a leader is one who is able to inspire, empower or enable others to realize their full potential. My supervisor at ON Semiconductor has definitely been a leader in that sense. She has acted as a mentor who has guided me in an area that I had no previous experience. However, while providing the necessary guidance my supervisor has also allowed me to engage in my own projects and act upon my own ideas, thereby providing me with the independence required to realize my potential.
I have noticed the importance of leadership within a CSR capacity at my internship. In fact, I would like to further my leadership skills to inspire other departments to behave in a manner more consistent with sustainable practices. I believe this is especially important when you are encouraging other departments in a company to adopt programs that are not typical of a profit-maximizing business. Through leadership skills allowing one to recognize and influence the power dynamics within an organization, I believe I will be able to better further CSR programs.
Hi Nehal,
ReplyDeleteThis is a tremendous description of a leader. I feel that through our internship experiences, we are all getting good experience with either becoming a better leader or seeing by example what makes a great leader. I am currently working at CSA where everyone in the department is a leader in some way, shape, or form. Leadership comes in many different variations and I think that is what makes us all so unique and special in our respective occupations.