One meaningful quote I will take with me from this course is from Jack Ma. In the video keys to Success by Jack Ma, he says “keep your dreams alive because it might come true someday.” Jack ma believes even though your dreams may not come true right away it does not mean they will never come true. Dreams take hard work, commitment, and time. If you are unwilling to put in the time, it may never happen for you. Jack Ma also stresses the importance of getting used to rejection and failure. He states “failure is the key to your success. The concept of getting used to failure hit me hard. In my life, I have tried and failed many times. In Light from Many Lamps, Mary Pickford is quoted as saying “there is always another chance. This thing that we call failure is not the falling down but the staying down” (p.156). I hate failing and rejection; they always makes me feel worthless. Through the course of my adult life, I have started to look at failure for the lessons it teaches us. When it comes to changing your life, you are the one who must make the choice to change. Some of my dreams have come true in spades; there are others I am still waiting on. Jack Ma reminded me there is always hope, keep the dream alive.
One Course learning that has impacted my practice is in chapter 14 of Northouse on team leadership. Northouse states “team leadership is based on the functional leadership claim that the leader’s job is to monitor the team and then take whatever action is necessary for team effectiveness” (p.374). Effective team leadership recognizes when a project is not successful and is able to assess and change course where necessary. Recently I experienced this at work. I had to pull two team members from a project as they weren’t performing well. I was disappointed as were the original people assigned to the project. This past week with new team members involved in the project it the target goals are being met. Sometimes as a leader you must make tough decisions for the team. Even though it was difficult for me at the end of this week, I felt confident I made the right decision.
A second lesson I will take away from this course material which has impacted my leadership is from Northouse’s chapter eight which focused on transformational leadership. Northouse describes transformational leadership as “the process whereby a person engages with others and creates a connection that raises the level of motivation and morality in both the leader and the follower” (p.164). Upon reading this chapter, I was convicted of not spending enough time with each one of my staff. I felt the need to seek out ways to garner more employee engagement. Since then I have facilitated employee engagement activities and one seminar so far. I also find myself trying to be a better example of morality and motivation. When something is asked of me, I do it right away. If a staff member needs help, I try to support them as soon as I can.
The ten weeks of this course have challenged me in more ways then I can count. I have learned about myself and my capabilities. I really enjoyed reading light from many lamps. There were many stories I felt I personally connected too. As my first master’s class, this was a definite eye-opener to the hard work, and resilience one needs as a master’s student. I value the time I spent interacted and learning with all of you. I wish you all the best on your leadership journey. Thank you for all you taught me.
A final thought I will leave you with is this “Great Leaders find ways to connect with their people and help them fulfill their potential” (2016, Stowell &Mead, p.63).
References:
Ma, J.(2016). Keys to Success from Jack Ma. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WjHZ5wLe6w
Northouse, P. G. (2019). Leadership: Theory & practice.
Stowell, S. J., & Mead, S. S. (2016). The art of strategic leadership: How leaders at all levels prepare themselves, their teams, and organizations for the future.
Watson, L. E. (1988). Light from many lamps. New York: Simon & Schuster.