AMDG Warrick Raleigh Yu-Phillips 11 / 28 / 23 Mr. John James CORE 1000 Personal Narrative My upbringing in a military family afforded me a lens through which to view the world. My father is in the Philippine Air Force, which meant my childhood was spent constantly relocating across the Philippines, China, Japan, and Korea which introduced me to an array of cultures, shaping my understanding of leadership. Having grown up in Asia, I had always perceived leadership through a different cultural lens. In many Eastern cultures, leadership was often centered around collectivism, humility, and professionalism. This contrasts with the more individualistic, direct Western leadership styles. The difference in approaches sometimes created a gap in my understanding. Initially, my idea of leadership was all about getting stuff done. Meeting targets, hitting deadlines, and proving success through tangible results. Everyone had their role, and as long as tasks were being ticked off, everything was good. Though, looking back, I realize we missed something important. The people behind the tasks. Their lives, their struggles, their aspirations, all got lost in the rush to meet the goals. It was like working on autopilot, forgetting the fact that everyone brings more to the table than just the tasks they complete Additionally, in a military family, orders were clear, expectations were explicit. This upbringing, while instilling discipline and a sense of order, also shaped a somewhat closed-minded view of leadership. I subconsciously associated leadership with a primarily direct, authoritative style, where decisiveness and clarity took precedence This is why joining the leadership in movies class was a bit of a paradigm shift for me. The course challenged my preconceived notions and exposed me to a broader spectrum of leadership styles. Most, if not all the leadership techniques we’ve learned in class revolve around the people and I realized I missed a crucial point. In today’s western leadership landscape, it’s not just about what happens at the desk, but about the people sitting there. There’s this realization that happy, fulfilled people are not just a byproduct; they’re the driving force behind success. I learned that when people feel seen, understood, and valued, they bring a different level of motivation to the table The emphasis on motivation and well-being of followers struck me as a refreshing departure from the strictly objective oriented approach I had known. The idea that a leader's effectiveness could be directly correlated with the motivation and happiness of their team was a revelation for me. It felt like leadership was not only about achieving goals, but also about fostering a positive and thriving environment Another thing I learned in class is the pronounced extraversion in American culture. Survey says 70% of US adults believe that extroverts make better leaders. It was like extroversion had its own spotlight, and I found myself navigating through the sea of enthusiastic personalities, a stark contrast from the more reserved environments I was accustomed to Honestly, enrolling in this class stemmed from just a pragmatic consideration. I thought it would be a GPA booster (I mean the title of the class is Leadership in Movies :). To my surprise, the class turned out to be a gateway to understanding not just leadership, but also the profound differences between the Eastern and Western mindsets, realizing that both ways of leadership hold equal significance in the tapestry of leadership The class served as a catalyst for me to appreciate the equal significance of both extroverted and introverted leadership styles. I realize that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all concept; rather a dynamic interplay of various techniques, each with its own strengths and unique contributions. It was a rather unexpected journey from just seeking an A to gaining a broader perspective on leadership dynamics and cultural nuances Moreover, we delved into the intricacies of personal biases and their impact on leadership. Recognizing and mitigating biases is not just a theoretical exercise, but a practical necessity for effective leadership. Its equipped me with the tools to navigate leadership challenges with a more discerning and unbiased approach We also underscored the importance of continuous learning in leadership development. Olden techniques don’t work as well not, and so the ever evolving nature of leadership demands a commitment to staying informed about emerging trends, and embracing new perspectives We’ve gone through a wide range of leadership styles, which highlighted the importance of adaptability. Each culture, each context, demands a different style of leadership. It is not confined to the specific style or culture but instead is an adaptive process that blends elements from different approaches, acknowledging the strengths inherent in each. The interactive discussion based nature of our classroom was also engaging. Rather than the traditional lecture format, the engagement among the students echoed the essence of leadership itself - active participation from all to achieve collective success As I navigate through ROTC, with the hopes of becoming an officer in aht Air Force, the insights gained from this class have resonated with my career aspirations and leadership philosophy. The principles discussed in class also wove together with the values and training offered in the program. The class has equipped me with an understanding of leadership styles, the importance of adaptability, and most importantly, inclusivity. Armed with the knowledge that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, I see an opportunity to bring a more inclusive leadership style to the military. Understanding the array of leadership styles and recognizing the strengths that both extroverted (west) and introverted (east) approaches bring can contribute to building a more cohesive and effective team Furthermore, it raised the importance of cultural awareness and the acknowledgement of personal biases in effective leadership. In the military, where diverse backgrounds come together, understanding different cultures is not just a theoretical concept like it is in class, but a practical necessity. By fostering cultural competence, I believe I can help bridge gaps and build stronger connections within the unit, and lead more effectively Continuous learning remains a guiding principle in leadership philosophies. The dynamic nature of the military environment demands adaptability, and staying informed about emerging leadership trends, global perspectives, and cultural shifts which is instrumental In conclusion, my journey from diverse cultural exposures to the enlightening classroom discussions has profoundly shaped my perspective on leadership. It's not just about efficiently managing tasks, but about embracing adaptability, engaging everyone, and understanding the intricacies of cultures and biases. Continuous learning remains the cornerstone of evolving leadership philosophies. Embracing diversity, fostering inclusivity, and remaining open to new perspectives are the keystones of effective leadership in our ever-evolving world.
