Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Each of your responses
to your classmates should be at least 150 words in length, and include an
APA formatted scholarly resource. In your response post, please provide a
thoughtful reply to promote discussion, critical thinking, and class
interaction, and provide an open-ended question for each of your
colleagues.

DISCUSSION 1 (Ingrid)
Define the difference between managers and leaders.

Managers are responsible for controlling an organization, a group, or a set of entities to
achieve a particular objective. Managers focuses on the questions how and why (Duggal,
2024). Leaders require a vision guide to change and are more concerned with thinking
ahead and seizing opportunities. A leader asks what and why. A leader isn’t always a
good manager, and a good manager can’t always lead. There are certain characteristics
that can differentiate between the two.

Discuss the important characteristics of an ideal leader.

Two great things leaders need to have been empathy and perspective (Generate Insights,
2019). When I worked under a former Department Manager, she had excellent
leadership qualities. She had a vision of moving up in rank within the company and
possessed the qualities and experience to do so. An ideal leader is a leader that is adept
at fostering a positive work atmosphere and building trusting relations with their team,
which results in high employee engagement (Duggal, 2024). My manager led by example
and inspired me to replace her. She trained me to become a better employee and she
taught me the ins and outs of management.

Describe the traits you possess that support your selected leadership style that you
discussed in week 1.

In week 1, I chose the Laissez-Faire style of leadership. Laissez-Faire leaders believe that
followers are at their best and most motivated by autonomy. Followers would do great if
you just let them do it (Simplilearn, 2024). The traits I possess are honesty and integrity,
communication skills, and the ability to challenge. As a leader, honesty and integrity are
important so that it builds trust within a team. I can communicate well. It is essential to
notify your team on current and upcoming projects, and make sure everyone is trained
and knowledgeable of their assignments. I possess the ability to challenge myself. I have
excellent problem-solving skills. I also have a certain way of achieving goals.

Identify the traits needed to promote transformational change for leaders that wish to
incorporate long-lasting innovations in the human services field.

Lewin’s change management model uses Unfreeze, which is the preparation stage and
Change, which is the implementation stage (Lucidchart, n.d.) Traits leaders need to

incorporate long-lasting innovations is vision and trust. The leader needs the vision to
see his idea and is focused on making it happen. The leader has the trust of the team
that knows that the leader will follow through on his purpose.

References

Duggal, N. (2023, Mar 10). Leadership vs management: Understanding the key difference.
Simplilearn. https://www.simplilearn.com/leadership-vs-management-difference-article

Generate Insights. (2019, October 23). Simon Sinek: Leader versus manager. [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSUJwmPQEyg

Lucidchart. (n.d.). 7 fundamental change
management models. https://www.lucidchart.com/blog/7-fundamental-change-
management-models

Simplilearn. (2023, May 9). 10 Leadership theories to master for managerial success in
2023. https://www.simplilearn.com/top-leadership-theories-every-manager-should-
know-article

Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts. Each of your responses
to your classmates should be at least 150 words in length, and include an
APA formatted scholarly resource. In your response post, please provide a
thoughtful reply to promote discussion, critical thinking, and class
interaction, and provide an open-ended question for each of your
colleagues.

DISCUSSION 2 (Tameka)
Define the difference between managers and leaders.

Leaders are responsible for the people who take care of the people (Sinex,2019). Leaders
take the vision of organizations and inspire or motivate others to create the vision. This
includes maintaining and attracting the most skilled, talented persons to achieve the
vision and promote growth. Whereas Managers are skilled in the department they
manage, they know how to do the job, better than leaders most time (Sinex.2019). They
are the executors of the organization’s vision; they maintain the culture and standards of
the leader.

Discuss the important characteristics of an ideal leader.

Leaders should have good communication skills, be able to inspire, challenge, and have
honesty, and integrity. Leaders should possess self-awareness, knowing how to show
gratitude, and collaboration to achieve the vision of the organization. Great leaders have
empathy and perspective (Sinex,2019). Leaders recognize the skills of managers and give
credit to those managers for the effective execution of the vision. These characteristics

create good leaders and help keep the culture and standards of the organization, which
results in motivated managers.

Describe the traits you possess that support your selected leadership style that you
discussed in Week 1.

During week one I first thought my leadership style was autocratic, however, after more
research, I feel the style that fits my personality is democratic. I enjoy being part of a
team. I have good collaboration skills, and I am a good listener. Even though, I enjoy
working as a team, making decisions or delegating tasks if needed is something I would
be able to do. I do believe being honest and having integrity are important skills in the
workplace.

Identify the traits needed to promote transformational change for leaders that wish to
incorporate long-lasting innovations (i.e., technology, new service delivery techniques
or models) in the human services field.

Leaders that are looking for transformational changes in an organization, would need to
have trust in their managers, pushing them to do their best and set appropriate pace and
tempo (Duggal,2024). In change being able to communicate effectively is important,
with keeping your team up to date on changes or new strategies and the ability to
challenge ideas and styles. I think ADKAR model promotes long-lasting changes, as it
focuses on the person. It is making sure the individual is clear on the change, and
understanding the change with awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement.
In the human services field, it’s important to keep abreast of changes that impact on the
human services field, this could make a big difference in our ability to provide services to
our clients.

References

Duggal, N. (2023,). Leadership vs management: Understanding the key difference.
Simplilearn. https://www.simplilearn.com/leadership-vs-management-difference-article

Simon S, (2019) Leader versus manager. Generate Insights. (2019, October 23). Simon
Sinek: Leader versus manager. [Video].
YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSUJwmPQEyg