Leadership Philosophy Statement

The leadership philosophy statement should highlight your philosophical approach to leadership with key components articulated.  If you have written a leadership philosophy in the past, feel free to use that as a starting point and simply update it to reflect your current beliefs.  You should include a discussion of readings and resources that support or contradict your personal philosophy and a discussion of personal/professional experiences that have influenced your leadership philosophy.  As you consider how to frame your approach, you may want to take an approach similar Apps’ (1994) Philosophy for Leadership (Figure 1) or a similar framework.  Additional resources are available on Scholar.

 

 

Figure 1. A Philosophy for Leadership. (Note. From Leadership for the Emerging Age (p. 66), by J. W. Apps, 1994, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.)

My Leadership Philosophy is…

I believe that leadership is a journey that consists of followers and leaders.

I balance my work and personal success.

I always help people to find the best in themselves.

I spend time reflecting on my leadership and its implications on others.

I value integrity in personal and professional development.

I respect leadership from different perspectives and ways of knowing.

I listen with respect and gratitude to others.

Adopted from Leadership Paradigms