Capstone: Apl Prac & Princ Ldg

5.2 Discussion. What Are My Tools?

Getting Started

There is an old saying that if all you have is a hammer, then every job needs a hammer. The idea is that we will try to match the tools that we have in our tool kit or at our disposal to the task at hand. Sometimes, that means we may try to make a tool do a job for which it was not intended.  

This assignment gives you the opportunity to reflect on the various principles and practices of leadership that you have acquired, sharpened, and made part of your leadership toolkit during your program. 

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Propose key principles and practices of effective leaders. 

Background Information

Throughout the LDR courses in your academic program, you have been tasked with distilling some of your reading and assignments into practical tools for leading. A key focus of the LDR courses has been applied leadership. That is, while having some good theories in mind is practical, we want the outcome of each course and the program to include your ability to apply what you are learning directly to your current leadership context. Hopefully, you have added numerous practical tools to your toolkit so that you have more things at your disposal to effectively meet the demands placed on leaders.  

The following two videos from Cheryl Bachelder, former CEO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, provide some good reflections on essential qualities for effective leaders. Dr. Bachelder was granted an honorary doctorate by Indiana Wesleyan University when she was inducted into the IWU Society of World Changers in 2018. You can learn more about our world changers and Dr. Bachelder  here. (new tab)   Access the tabs to view the videos.

The 3 Essentials of Effective LeadershipDare to Serve

Instructions

1. Review the information in the Getting Started and Background Information sections. 

2. Read Chapter 9 in the course text,  Leadership in Christian Perspective

3. Look ahead to  Assignment 5.3 (new tab)  to understand the parts of your Capstone Project that you will submit this workshop.  

4. Consider the following prompts:  

a. What are the most meaningful or practical tools (principles or practices) that you have acquired during your program? Some of the previous discussions have inquired about theories, models, resources, or learning (interviews). While each of those items should have practical value, review the assignments throughout the program where you had to summarize principles and practices.  

b. What are the most surprising things you have learned about leadership in the program?

c. In what way could you create a flowchart, graphic, or way of organizing your principles and practices. For example, can you restate them in ways where the first letter of each principle starts with the same letter and fit together like a puzzle or pyramid or ? 

5. Compose a 250 to 300-word initial post. You do not need to answer each of the prompts. Rather, use them to stimulate your thinking. Complete reading, research, and review to make your post that might also help you start to develop your Assignment 5.3.