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Threes:
You are comfortable using reflective supervision with your staff and have integrated many facets of this
approach into your daily work. You can expand your knowledge and continue growing by identifying your
next challenges, for example: develop your own training session on reflective supervision, mentor a
colleague, and continue to take external classes and conferences.

Exercise 8: Self-Reflection

Take an hour or two to sit quietly and write “your story” about the
development of your leadership abilities. Think about where you are

in the process of becoming a more effective leader, who is following
you or respecting you as a leader, and where you would like to be
headed.

Self-confidence

Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.
Thomas Carlyle, historian and essayist.

One of the attributes that defines a leader is a belief in oneself. Self-
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reflection is an important step that can lead to increased self-confidence.
Self-confidence consists of an optimistic belief in one’s ability to succeed.
Before one can lead others, one must be confident in one’s own capabilities.
Self-leadership is the essence of leadership. However, this is not about
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arrogance or egotism. Instead, by knowing themselves, self-confident

leaders have the boldness to undertake the difficult tasks and challenges
necessary to meet their goals. They try new things, offer ideas, exude
positive energy, and cooperate and collaborate with their colleagues.
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Self-confidence is the lifeblood of success. Jack Welch.

83 Charles Handy, “The New Language of Organizing and Its Implications for Leaders,” The Leader of the
Future. San Francisco CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996, p. 8.
84 Richard J. Leider, “The Ultimate Leadership Task.” Frances Hesselbein, et.al. editors The Leader of
the Future. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1996. p. 192.
85 Jack Welch, “The Six Deadly Sins of Leadership,”
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130327154206-86541065-the-six-deadly-sins-of-leadership.

David Kolzow 73