Question

explain in detail how you can develop other strengths to achieve mindful leadership and success.

Answer 1

(Answer) The two management theories/ skills that one finds most practical and effective are that of “servant leadership” and the “socio-cultural theory.” Both of these management methods are complementary to each other and can be effectively used to better the quality of work and skills of each member of the team and consequently the team itself.

Servant leadership is an active style of leadership where the leader adopts a role of service and not merely that of a manager and delegator. This means that a servant leader would “walk the walk” instead of just “talking the talk.” In this way, the followers would learn by example and not through preaching alone. A good servant leader would ideally exemplify what he/ she wishes his followers to be.

Vygotsky’s socio-cultural theory states that social interaction plays a pivotal role in cognitive development. The theory entails that social interaction leads to social learning. This learning is induced by absorbing information through the senses, which is then mulled over in the mind. In the mind, this information is stored, leads to deeper understanding, helps develop guesses and theories, etc. In other words, the more an individual interacts with others, the more open they are to learning experiences and more learning would eventually lead to the development of skills.

By practicing the tangents of both these theories, one can be an effective leader and also primarily improve one’s own skill through practice. Furthermore, adopting the role of a servant leader and interacting with one’s team regularly helps hone the characteristics of integrity and vicariousness. Therefore, practical skills and the quality of being sociable and compassionate are the skills that can be developed in order to be a mindful leader.