A Semester of COMS 201
This course has taught me more than I ever thought an online course was capable of. I have learned many skills that I know I will continue to use throughout my lifetime. At first I did not think that I would be able to relate to anything about this course as I have never had a leadership position. Then, once the school year started, I was elected into a leadership position within my sorority. With this position came great responsibility despite the minor importance of my position as Community Service Chairwoman. I immediately got involved in many different leadership opportunities because of this position and therefore got to utilize the topics of this course right as I was learning about them. This helped me immensely to be interested in the topics during the course. The topics that I found most interesting were the multiple aspects of adaptive leadership.
Adaptive leadership, according to National Conservation Leadership Institute, provides the understanding, skills, and support that we need to do two things well: distinguish what’s essential from what’s expendable and innovate in ways that dovetail with those essentials. The point is to develop an adaptability that enables the agency to thrive and carry the best from its history into the future. There are many different aspects that go into this unique type of leadership. When adaptive leadership is used, it’s because a problem such as this one has never been presented before. With the different aspects of adaptive leadership, there are many different choices of how to approach a new problem. In Module 15, we were reminded of the aspects of adaptive work. Of the main aspects that we have learned throughout the course, I would say that the most useful to me would be the three phases of work. These three phases advise the leader to observe, interpret and intervene. It is in observing that the leader can comprehend the problem. By observing, the leader is not biased and solely collects information on the topic or challenge at hand. Once the leader feels as though their observation is complete, they move on to the intervention stage. What some leaders forget, though, is that although one stage is “over” you can continue to build on past stages. In the intervention stage, the most essential part that I gathered is to encourage discussion between parties involved. After listening, I would say that communication is the second most important quality of adaptive leadership. With communication in the intervention stage, the leader can assert their dominance to raise or lower the heat of conflict, to “create conditions for collaboration” or even to solely “engage unusual voices.” After the interpretation phase, the leadership should have a better understanding of each party’s feelings on the situation and will, therefore be able to make a better-suited decision for everyone involved. Lastly comes the concept of intervention. This is where the heat either gets raised or lowered and either outcome is crucial to the rest of the challenge. Either way, the leader is truly put to the test in this phase. As the leader is put to the test, they show their true colors. If you are ever wondering how a leader is truly performing, watch them when they begin the intervention process. Some leaders will “play it cool” while some leaders will “snap” at this point. It is not only the leader, though, who determines if they will snap or play it cool.
Throughout my journals, I notice a common theme. I continually refer to myself as a leader but then I go on to say that I don’t have “much say” in the matter. This is where I am at fault. If I could say that I’ve only learned one important lesson this semester, I would say that it’s that anybody can be a leader. As leadership is a process instead of a destination, anyone can contribute to leader-like duties. Although you may be less experienced than the “main” leader, that may mean that you have more insight on the subject and can therefore give a new perspective on the challenge. In my adaptive challenge, I noticed myself slipping into the background. I felt that as an underclassman I did not have much say in the matter. I continued to feel this way until, at one of our meetings, the president of my sorority went around in a circle asking each and every one of the officers to present a solution to our problem. This definitely lifted weight off my shoulders as I saw that she was not going to judge based on age or lack of experience. She solely wanted to hear all angles in order to fully grasp the situation. This is a prime example of utilizing the three phases of work. I think it is evident that the part that “stuck” with me the most throughout the semester is the three phases of adaptive work. Without these phases, there would not be very solid guidelines for a leader on how to handle an adaptive challenge. That’s partially what makes a challenge adaptive, though, is that there is no previous experience with a challenge it; it is unique. I realize that an adaptive challenge is typically more difficult than a regular one but I also think that it is more beneficial.
I have undoubtedly seen much personal growth throughout the semester. Most of it is nothing specific, it’s just that I notice myself acting differently, more mature. There are some exact points, though, that I see. For example, in my Journal 11, I discussed an incident from one of my babysitting jobs where some of the kids were disagreeing with one another. In my journal, I edited my actions, so to speak. I noted that I should have “intervened more skillfully.” I think this quote alone tells how much I have grown throughout this course, as I became conscious of past experiences and how I could have better performed. This step of self-criticism is crucial to the leadership process. Leaders Need to realize that is okay to make mistakes as long as you utilize them as a learning experience for future challenges that you will face.
It’s hard to pick just one piece of advice to give my future self. This class has taught me patience, understanding, empathising, and many more other qualities that I never even considered before. To my future self, I would say, first and foremost, to listen. Listen to other peoples’ thoughts and ideas, listen to your heart and listen to, in the end, what feels right. In a leadership position, it is easy to be consumed by the power that you are given. Through observation, I have noticed that the most influential leaders are those who take multiple aspects into consideration instead of simply acting on impulse. This advice is timeless, in my opinion. It will be helpful to remember this in a year, a decade and even a century. I think it speaks for itself that observing is one of the three stages of work. Not only is it a part of the three stages of work but some type of “listening” is in every aspect of adaptive leadership. In order to be a successful adaptive leader, you have to gather information about the topic since it has never been dealt with before. As to insure that all information gathered is unbiased, it is imperative to look into many sources. With these multiple sources, the research is well-rounded and therefore useful. The more sources used, at all times, automatically makes you a more reputable person.
With that being said, the knowledge I have gained about leadership has driven me to live outside my “box.” The push to question others requires you to talk to people you may not normally talk to. This has always been a hurdle in my life and I think I am finally jumping it. I’m not really sure if I would have jumped these hurdles without this class, so for that I am grateful. If anyone I know is ever considering taking this class, I would strongly encourage them. Leadership is a journey that starts in college for most people but will be a part of everyones’ lives at one point or another. I would encourage this course because it leads you in the right direction as you start your leadership journey. Once the course is over, too, it sends you off with much insight that can easily be applied to future situations. Most classes I’ve taken in college so far have been classes that I completely forget about once I take the last exam or write the last year but the ability to apply this course’s skills to my everyday life make it that much easier to remember it by.
Kelly Davis 