How has this course promoted your development of critical thinking, public speaking, writing, digital literacy, and/or teamwork skills, and how this has contributed to your understanding of leadership or your capacity to lead?
Agnes Scott’s model of leadership consists of; reflecting, analyzing, and acting which is considered to be the concept of critical thinking. Critical thinking is the process of carefully observing and evaluating a situation then, acting upon the situation. Becoming a good critical thinker is an essential quality of a successful leader. The skills required to become an effective leader are being knowledgeable and experienced which are both necessary components of critical thinking. This course has promoted my development of critical thinking by providing the information of the different styles of leadership and the most effective types of leadership in both women and men. This information has allowed me to better understand the benefits of making rational and ethical decisions within the workplace or any other environment.
Public speaking has always been a fear of mine but working in groups and having open class discussions has helped me slowly overcome that fear. Public speaking is vital and required skill for every leader, being a talented public speaker allows a person to set forth and express their ideas while successfully proposing the needed jobs and requirements for a specific project. In this class I have had many public speaking opportunities which has allowed me to strengthen my speaking skills, personally I have seen myself improve in formulating and presenting my ideas. Being respectful is another very important skill of public speaking, for example while debating it is necessary to be respectful and listen to others ideas.
In this day and age, it is very helpful to be efficient with digital literacy. In this class we have utilized different platforms such as the D-portfolio which helps to spread information to employers and teachers. When I was first introduced to this form of technology I became overwhelmed because it seemed difficult to use but after I read the provided powerpoints I had a better understanding of this technology. Digital literacy skills are very beneficial because in most workplaces laptops, tablets, and desktop computers are utilized to effectively communicate and accomplish tasks. In this class I have had the opportunity to work in teams with various people, all with different strengths and learning styles. This has allowed me to develop better communication, decision-making, and listening skills.
These learning opportunities have helped me establish valuable skills that will be useful in future work environments. Gaining an understanding of the different types of leadership styles has helped me to become a better leader in my workplace. I have learned to be an understanding and rational leader.
