Prior to his internship, the author was confident in his ability to take initiative and be a leader, having enjoyed leadership roles in past group projects. During his internship, the author believed he showed initiative and leadership in several ways, such as suggesting language quotas to help preserve cultural identity, volunteering to write letters on behalf of his supervisor, and drafting a press release that was well-received. Reflecting on a leadership model by John Adair, the author believes the leadership style of those in his internship aligned with ensuring tasks were completed, the team developed as a whole, and individuals reached their potential. The internship experience further strengthened the author's confidence in his ability to lead.

1. Image source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/initiatives-better-human-
being-matheus-siagian

2. Prior to beginning my internship, I was confident in
my ability to take initiative and be a strong leader.
During group projects in the past, I have taken on and
enjoyed the responsibility that comes with adopting
the role of leader. I have always believed that
leadership and the ability to take initiative were key
skills involved in the accomplishment of goals and in
experiencing personal growth.

3. There were many instances during my internship in
which I believed that I took initiative or adopted
the role of leader. For example;

4. I attended a meeting regarding the publication of the
‘Policy on Gaeltacht education 2017-2022’. This report
provided information regarding the government’s
strategy to improve education provision in Gaeltacht
regions. Additionally, it documented the reported
decline in fluency and everyday use of the Irish
language in Gaeltacht regions.

5. I believe that I took initiative when I suggested that
language quotas could be brought in for media outlets,
specifically radio stations. This is a common practice
on continental Europe in which a certain amount of
music from their respective countries must be played
so as to help preserve their cultural identity. My idea
was very well received and noted as an idea that could
be revisited in the future.

6. I believed that I showed initiative when I volunteered
to compose a letter that would be sent to Minister
Richard Bruton. This letter provided the minster with
an in depth description of the new junior cycle
Wellbeing programme that is due to commence in
September 2017.

7. Image source: http://www.quotehd.com/Quotes/Words/Initiative/2_25

8. In the letter I set out the reasons why the Wellbeing
programme was important, what students would be
taught and details relating to assessment. Provided the
Minster gave his consent to the new programme,
teacher training could begin. Additionally, I wrote a
letter on behalf of the minister to the NCCA expressing
both his and the department’s gratitude for the NCCA’s
development of the Wellbeing programme.

9. During the final week of my internship, I believe that I
showed initiative when, after submitting the finished
documents for the ‘Student Enterprise in the
Curriculum Award’ to my supervisor, I offered to draft
a press release.

10. While I had no experience in composing a press
release, I have read several during the course of my
internship and felt confident that I would be capable
of drafting one that would be of a high standard. I
presented it to my supervisor on Friday afternoon and
she was very impressed with the quality of my work
and informed me that it would be used when the
Minister launched the awards.

11. Image source: http://www.azquotes.com/quote/757607

12. As part of the 4th year module ‘‘Organisation Skills and
Learning’’, I became well acquainted with John Adair’s
Action Centred Leadership model. In this model,
Adair argues that leaders should base their decisions
on three considerations; the completion of a task or
goal, ensuring the development of the team as a whole
and assisting individuals on the team to reach their
full potential (Bolden, Gosling, Marturano, &
Dennison, 2003).

13.  With regard to the task, Adair believed that leaders
should define goals, delegate work to subordinates, set
standards and adjust tasks plan as required (Bolden et
al., 2003).
 Adair put forth the idea that the leader of a team
needed to encourage team bonding, strong
communication and be a source of motivation and
encouragement for their team (Adair, 2007).

14. Adair emphasised the importance of leaders assisting
their team members. He believed that leaders needed
to develop a personal relationship with their teams in
order to understand their strengths, weaknesses and
personality traits (Adair, 2007).

15. While working in the CAP unit, I believe that the
leadership style the Principal Officer and Assistant
Principal Officers adopted could be compared to
Adair’s model. I believe that they worked hard to be a
source of encouragement and motivation and had
close personal relationships with their colleagues
which allowed them to grasp the strengths and
weaknesses of the CAP team.

16. While I was already relatively confident in my ability to
lead and take initiative before beginning my
internship, I believe that I have become even more
confident in my ability to lead. I have had exceptional
leadership role models throughout the course of my
internship and believe that this greatly assisted me in
further developing my personal and professional
development.

17. Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/467530005038722794/

18. Adair, J. (2007). Develop Your Leadership Skills.
London: Kogan Page.
Bolden, R., Gosling, J., Marturano, A., & Dennison, P.
(2003). A Review of Leadership Theory and
Competency Frameworks. Exeter: Centre for
Leadership Studies.