Defining, discovering and developing personal leadership in organizations

Personal leadership is an important factor in today’s organizations. This type of trailblazing activity is the backbone of total quality management and team‐based operations. Personal leadership also can replace the middle management expertise lost through downsizing. Presents a generalized process for defining, discovering and developing personal leadership in today’s organizations. Summarizes the definition of personal leadership through the metaphor of trailblazing. Other cognates of the verb “to lead” are defined and examined. The detection of personal leadership in the workforce is made by 360‐degree performance evaluations. Uses survey findings to support activities and skills associated with personal leadership. The development of personal leadership is fostered by rewards, recognition and refocused training.