Well, here we are.
It's hard to believe, but this is the final blog discussion of our course. This time around, I'd like you to reflect upon the past six weeks. What has your experience been? Did you learn anything? Were you surprised by anything? Was there anything you wished could have been done differently / better?
Also check out what your colleagues are saying - was your experience similar to theirs'? Why or why not?
To be honest, I never put much thought on what constitutes a leader, and I was curious to what the content within this course would entail. I was really surpised at how much goes into being a leader. I always believed that without followers there would be no leaders; I never thought about how each individual situation can really affect the outcome if the leader-follower relationship. Also, examining the different tatctics leaders use to motivate and influence their followers made me evaluate different experiences thoughtout my past, and it made me think about what motivates me and gives me initiative. I think this course will not only teach me effective leadership skills and tactics, but it also helped me define what kind of drive I need to help me accomplish my own goals.
ReplyDeleteAfter the time I have spent in this course I definitely feel that my knowledge of leadership has broadened. Like Mel I found the leader, follower, situation dynamic was very interesting and really displayed the many aspects of strong leadership. I also was interested in the way the text emphasized that leadership is more than just a certain type of person and it isn't necessarily something that you are just "born" with. There are actual ways to become a successful leader or to improve on your leadership skills in general.
ReplyDeleteAnother aspect of the course that I appreciated was the way it was structured. I have never done an online course that was so condensed and where the work was completed in such a timely fashion. I really appreciated this because it kept me "thinking leadership" the whole duration of the course. More often than not the courses I have completed online have been designed to have a course end date and that was when all my work was due. The set up of this course helped me not fall behind and keep my mind on school work while not cramming it in all in at once.
ReplyDeleteI found this course to be very humbling. I have always considered myself to be a strong leader, but a great deal of information throughout this course shed some serious light on where I can make definite improvements. Leadership is certainly an ongoing study and there is much to learn on the topic. I agree with Mel's comments on the tactics leaders use - it really made me stop and reflect on how I respond to leaders and how I can in turn use my past experiences as a follower to become a better leader.
ReplyDeleteI also have learned quite alot about leadership over the past six weeks and have a new perspective on what makes a good leader and how people perceive leaders. I was suprised to learn what an important part the followers and situation play in the leadership equation. Like Meg said, it was interesting to learn that being a leader is not something that you are necessarily born with and there are ways to become a successful leader. Personal qualities and attributes contribute to a persons ability to lead. With leadership comes power and what a person chooses to do with that power will determine how they will lead and how they will be perceived as a leader.
ReplyDeleteThis is my second on-line course and I also enjoy the way they are structured. As a procrastinator, the weekly schedule keeps me on track and focused. I enjoy the intensive format and am grateful to have the opportunity to complete a course in 6/7 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI would agree that I did not take into consideration the impact the followers have on how a leader leads and how a good leader needs to recognize and respond to this. I work with a vast variety of people with varying personalities, ages, and levels of education. This course has given me some really good insight into productive ways to lead them.
ReplyDeleteI was also surprised that the book stated that not all leaders were born that way. I do think that some people are just naturally born an effective leader, however you can train yourself to be a great leader too. I found the different studies on what makes a good leader a great way to break down different leadership styles, and helps to focus on where you may be lacking.
ReplyDeleteThis discussion is now closed - thanks everyone!
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