Please provide a response using the two APA references below?

An example of a personal experience of mine with an authentic leader, drawing from the information provided by Northouse (2022), involves many of the key characteristics of authentic leadership as outlined by Bill George. This is the leader of my student council group growing up in high school, which was a dedicated and passionate teacher named Mrs. Miller. I would say that Mrs. Miller exemplifies authentic leadership qualities and possesses a strong sense of purpose. She not only was able to articulate the team goals clearly but was also able to convey her genuine passion for the work that she was doing. Passion is one of the main characteristics described in the chapter by Northouse (2022) which outlines the key characteristics of authentic leadership (p. 223). Because of this, she was also able to inspire enthusiasm and motivation within everyone on the student council team. She had a deep commitment to her values and consistently emphasized dong the right over the wrong thing. She never once compromised her values, even when enduring any challenging situations in which many would likely waver or struggle. Mrs. Miller was able to consistently lead our team based on her strong moral foundation. For instance, during a project where shortcuts could have been taken for quick results, she insisted on maintaining ethical standards, even if it meant that we might experience temporary setbacks. Furthermore, Mrs. Miller also worked to establish trusting relationships with each and every single team member of the student council. This is another key characteristic discussed by Northouse (2022), which involves the " capacity to open themselves up and establish a connection with others... through mutual disclosure, leaders and followers develop a sense of trust and closeness" (p. 224). She actively and consistently worked to establish an environment which encouraged open communication behaviors and one in which each member felt comfortable sharing their ideas, opinions, thoughts, concerns, etc. She always worked to make each member feel that their perspective was acknowledged, heard, and valued. She also recognized and celebrated each team members' strengths and contributions to group goals. Mrs. Miller consistently lead by example through her own actions, always encouraging her students to follow suit. She emphasized and encouraged integrity and honesty. She was able to successfully fulfill the needs for trustworthy leadership of her students, including myself, of that time. Mrs. Miller was absolutely able to serve as a model for others to develop authentic leadership qualities over time.

Through her authentic leadership abilities and actions, Mrs. Miller influenced the members of student council in several impactful ways. She demonstrated several key characteristics that positively influenced both the student council members and the overall school environment. First, Mrs. Miller's strong sense of purpose and passion for fostering student leadership inspired and engaged the student council members. Purpose is also one of the key characteristics of authentic leadership as described by Northouse (2022, p. 223). Her daily enthusiasm created a vibrant and motivated atmosphere within the group. She also emphasized trust and open communication, as mentioned earlier, and worked to build strong relationships with each student. Through her open communication, she encouraged students to share ideas, concerns, and feedback, which fostered an environment that was collaborative and supportive in every way. She also promoted ethical behavior and integrity within the student council which set a standard for ethical conduct. She also acted as a model of accountability for student members and encouraged responsible behavior. Her empathy and sensitivity also worked to create a positive and inclusive school environment overall through the student council initiatives reflection of inclusivity, school spirit, and a sense of belonging among students. Mrs. Miller's authentic leadership style also served as an inspiration for student council members and other students, encouraging them to develop their own leadership qualities and empowering them to become leaders themselves. This is an important aspect of authentic leadership, as claimed by George et al. (2007, p. 7). I believe that this has had and will continue to have a positive and lasting impact on the overall culture of the high school. She was able to foster a tradition of authentic and responsible student leadership.

References:

George, B., Sims, P., McLean, A. N., & Mayer, D. (2007). Discovering your authentic leadership. Harvard Business Review.

Northouse, P. G. (2022). Leadership: Theory and practice (9th ed.). SAGE. ISBN-13: 978-1544397566. ISBN-10: 1544397569.