Leadership When considering the term management, there has always been a common misconception that this automatically makes an individual a leader. Leadership is only a single element of the management role. Many times managers feel more comfortable using a particular leadership style. While this may work well most of the time, some employees or situations may require a different approach. Good leadership requires the individual to recognize the need for change to motivate their employees to perform the task at hand or achieve common goals. Understanding the importance of leadership is essential. However, the key element to focus on is what steps can be taken to improve one's leadership skills. For many individuals this can be a difficult question to answer and may only be possible through self-evaluation and reflection. Self-Assessments Many times we can get so busy and caught up in our work that we lose sight of how we are actually performing as a leader. The self-assessment exercises offered in the reading material offer a valuable look at your strengths and opportunities for improvement. The first assessment that started to make me reflect on my leadership role directly concerns social motivations in the work environment. Assessment of social motivations in the work environment begins by asking, “Why would I want to be a leader” (Bethel College, 2003 , p. 33)? This can be a difficult question to answer because it's probably something we don't think about. As the results are calculated, the assessment offers three possible reasons why we choose to take on a leadership role. These include power, achievement and affiliation. Based on the results, I am result oriented, I totally agree with…half of the document…accountability. Finally, relationships in the workplace and in our personal lives are one of the most important aspects that define us as individuals. Everyone knows how much more can be achieved in a situation where a good working relationship exists than the other way around. In a leadership role it is important to have a good understanding of each individual team member. This understanding can include what motivates, what is important, and how the leader can tap into these resources. As we each progress in our leadership roles, it's important to remember that it's not just up to me. I believe that once we accept any type of leadership role, we accept the responsibility to serve others. If we only look at it for personal gain, we probably won't be remembered as a good leader. Reference Bethel College (2003). Direction. Boston, MA: The McGraw-Hill Companies.