Prepare and record an individual presentation chosen from one of your reflective writing pieces that demonstrates effective speaking and non-verbal communication techniques

Example Solution

Reflective Writing 1: A Review of an Individual`s Ability to Influence Their Situation and Lead Others

Introduction

I chose this topic because leadership is often associated with formal authority, but many effective leaders influence others without holding senior positions. This reflection focuses on a supervisor I worked with during a part-time retail job. Although he was not the store manager, he had a strong influence on team performance and morale. Observing his behaviour helped me understand how leadership can emerge through personal qualities rather than organisational hierarchy.

Analysis

One situation that stands out occurred during a particularly busy sales period when several employees were under pressure to meet customer demands. Rather than waiting for instructions from senior management, the supervisor organised staff responsibilities, offered support to struggling colleagues, and remained calm throughout the shift. His actions increased confidence within the team and improved overall performance.

This experience can be linked to transformational leadership theory. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate followers by creating a positive vision and encouraging people to perform beyond expectations. The supervisor demonstrated several transformational characteristics, particularly inspirational motivation and individual consideration. He recognised that different employees required different forms of support and adapted his approach accordingly.

From another perspective, the supervisor also demonstrated elements of situational leadership. Hersey and Blanchard argue that effective leaders adjust their style according to the needs and competence of followers. Rather than applying a single approach, he provided guidance to inexperienced employees while allowing more experienced staff greater independence.

However, leadership through influence has limitations. Because the supervisor lacked formal authority, some employees occasionally ignored his suggestions. This highlighted the importance of balancing personal influence with legitimate organisational power.

Conclusion

This experience taught me that leadership is not limited to individuals with senior positions. The ability to influence others often comes from communication, trust, and personal example rather than formal authority. By applying transformational and situational leadership behaviours, the supervisor positively influenced team performance despite not holding the highest position in the organisation. The key lesson I learned is that effective leadership depends more on behaviour and relationships than job titles.

Reflective Writing 2: How Ethics Can Influence Leadership

Introduction

I selected this topic because ethical behaviour is increasingly important in leadership. Employees, customers, and society expect leaders to make responsible decisions that consider more than just financial outcomes. This reflection is based on my observation of a university group project leader who faced a situation involving fairness and accountability.

Analysis

During a group assignment, one team member contributed significantly less work than the rest of the group. Several members suggested excluding that individual from the final submission. As the group leader, however, one student chose a different approach. Instead of immediately removing the member, she organised a meeting to understand the reasons behind the lack of participation. It emerged that personal circumstances had affected the student`s ability to contribute.

This situation demonstrated ethical leadership. Ethical leadership theory suggests that leaders should act fairly, honestly, and responsibly while considering the wellbeing of others. The leader balanced accountability with empathy by giving the student an opportunity to explain the situation while still maintaining expectations regarding performance.

The decision also reflected principles of servant leadership. Greenleaf argues that effective leaders focus on supporting and developing others. Rather than seeking the easiest solution, the leader attempted to help the struggling team member contribute effectively. This improved group relationships and prevented unnecessary conflict.

On the other hand, some group members believed the leader was being too lenient. From their perspective, strict action would have protected fairness for those who had completed more work. This highlights a common challenge in ethical leadership. Leaders must often balance competing interests and make decisions that may not satisfy everyone.

The experience also reinforced the importance of trust. Employees and team members are more likely to follow leaders when they believe decisions are based on fairness and integrity rather than personal preference.

Conclusion

This reflection demonstrated how ethics can significantly influence leadership decisions. Ethical leadership involves more than simply following rules. It requires balancing fairness, empathy, responsibility, and accountability. Through observing this situation, I learned that ethical leadership can strengthen trust, improve relationships, and create a more positive working environment. Although ethical decisions can sometimes be difficult, they are essential for long-term leadership effectiveness.