REFLECT ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF LEADERSHIP. HOW HAS IT CHANGED OVER YOUR TIME IN PL? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF LEADERSHIP NOW/WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP MEAN TO YOU NOW?
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I have always considered myself a good leader but coming into college I had very little knowledge of the true scope of leadership. My definition of a leader has broadened greatly as I have learned different styles and approaches to leadership as well as examples throughout various fields. Leadership is more than being the spokesperson for a large movement, it’s a mindset that can be exemplified in creative ways like being the first person to dance in a large crowd. I now understand how leaders weigh various options and approach decision making with various inputs in mind. I have been able to see my own practice of leadership changing as a result of these teachings, something that I am grateful for. Leadership is a crucial skill for me in the future in the workplace and in my daily life. At the conclusion of these three semesters, I have grown greatly as a leader, and am excited to continue to grow in the future.
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DESCRIBE YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE REFERENCING STRENGTHS, LEADERSHIP THEORIES/STYLES, ETC FROM CLASS
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Throughout my semesters in the scholars program, I have done several activities to learn more about how I am a leader, as well as how I can be more effective. I often find myself leading in an informal setting, where I practice authentic leadership. I learned that one of my best strengths is the ability to “win others over”, something that I do through personal conversations and collaboration. I try to incorporate everyone’s ideas and delegate responsibility accordingly based on my group members skills and experiences. This skill has allowed me to operate best as a leader, as everyone uses their strengths and the final product or goal is met. In the future I will find myself in a formal leadership setting more and more, and my knowledge of different “thinking hats” and tendencies and mindsets will be important
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Oprah Winfrey's Leadership AcademyI chose to include this essay because it was the first essay I wrote as a part of the Public Leadership program. This essay taught me about the different ways that someone can be a leader, and how nuances in leadership are important to analyze. Although I commend Oprah for her actions, research into this topic taught me about how leadership is prevalent in different areas, and how recognizing the pros and cons of a beneficial project can lead to reevaluation of what "beneficial" means.
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What Makes a Good LeaderWriting this essay allowed me to reflect on my growth as a leader in the past few semesters and what I want to continue to work on in the future. My characteristics of a good leader have changed greatly throughout my time in the Public Leadership program, as I now recognize empathy and vision as a primary characteristic of a good leader. What I have learned about leadership led to these values, and I am excited to grow more as a leader with these characteristics in mind.
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Mohandas Gandhi LeadershipGandhi is an icon for his story as a non-violent activist, and being half Indian I am grateful for his contributions. Going into depth to learn his story and leadership style allowed me to recognize what I had learned in the classroom through similarities in leadership style. I chose to include this essay because I believe it shows my growth as a writer and leader alike.
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HOW HAVE YOU USED AN ELEMENT OF LEADERSHIP LEARNED THROUGH PL IN YOUR LIFE? (EITHER A FORMAL LEADERSHIP ROLE OR A PERSONAL INTERACTION).
I feel that I have grown most in figuring out how to delegate groups through what I have learned in PL. I have used these skills this year when I was a TA for PLCY201. I have always felt that it's important to make sure everyone feels included in groups which is why I always tried to use the comments of those who are outgoing to try to reel in those who are more prone to staying quiet. I also have always tried to be genuine to myself when I am in a leadership role, something that I feel allows me to connect to students and the peers who I work with. A specific example was when I used smart power to make the marijuana debate fun while also ensuring that the students got the most out of a productive assignment.
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