Hi Prof,
Here's my Final Integrative Paper – "My Life Plan".
Begin with the end in mind. At the start of the class, we were asked to prepare a learning agreement with the objectives in taking this course. And I have listed five (5) objectives as follows:
1. To enhance my competency and credibility as a leader, by acquiring, sharing and improving my knowledge in the technical aspects of leadership.
2. To evaluate my strengths and weaknesses as a leader to find ways to fully utilize strengths and complement weaknesses.
3. To learn the common mistakes of leaders based on researches and discussions to avoid committing the same mistakes.
4. To study and identify different leadership styles and to identify which pattern shall endeavor to take.
5. To understand the challenges facing a leader and to prepare to conquer these challenges.
After culminating the class on December 10, 2015, I could say I have achieved these objectives thanks to the (enduring but fulfilling) reflection papers, rich discussions with the other leaders and other activities (debate, teambuilding, bad boss role playing) facilitated by prof. For me, my best take away from this subject was to realize that one should aspire to become not merely as a "leader" rather a "leader with a purpose". Below are the various realizations and learnings which I assess can be utilized and greatly guide me in moving towards my pursuit to "live and lead with a purpose".
WHERE AM I NOW?
Authentic Leadership Pillar 1: Self-awareness
Leaders are born, made/transformed or situational debate. The class commenced with a debate on whether leaders are born, made/transformed or arise on situations. The class was divided into four groups, and I was among the moderators. Personally, I always thought that leaders are made or transformed, because I believe that whomever we were born from, whatever the circumstances we were from, does not matter. What matters is what we choose to become. Because I have always believe that one's fate is within his own control. But I was amazed at how the "born" group defended their position, and it gave some good insights. They have laid down that all were born with a potential to become leader. Then I have come to learn that there are people who are created or push to become leaders due to situations. This activity was part of self-awareness, because it was important to recognize that our genes (family background), our own conscious decisions and to a large extent the situations that we are exposed to are important aspects that shape us to become leaders.
