My view of the Doctor of Strategic Leadership program has not changed much or even at
all over this course. That is because I did research on the program before starting. I also knew a
bit about it before starting because I knew someone who had started the program a year back.
Over the term, I did become more comfortable with deciding to pursue a strategic leadership
degree over other degrees. I have also come to realize how important it is for a leader to have
skills in strategic leadership to lead an organization adequately and efficiently (Chatchawaphun
et al., 2016). The time management paper showed me with the different things I have going on in
life and how I can be successful in the program. I have a very different life than most, so I often
doubt myself and if I am doing the right thing. Sometimes I say to myself, how can I get a
doctoral degree? I had to get a GED because I didn't finish high school. Reading the Merida book
was inciteful to learn from different styles of leadership. We are able to learn from both reading
about good leaders and, even more, essential reading what bad leaders have done in order to
avoid their mistakes. We see how Solomon decided not to follow God's laws, and overall it was
not good for him to defy God and do what he wanted (Merida, 2015). Reading about the
different leaders in the textbook really shed light on what to do as a leader. The assignment on
Bible integration showed me how we could keep our beliefs and faith when dealing with
employees we supervise. That sometimes is not always the easiest thing to do. We need to be
strong leaders so those we are leading can be strong in their position as well (Qadri, 2016). I
appreciated and felt like I learned the most from the American Psychological Association 7
Manual. The quizzes were helpful. Along with writing papers using the APA 7 manual. Going on
to other classes, I feel like I have a good grasp of the APA style of writing. I said the quizzes
were helpful, but I do have one issue with them. I would have like to know what the right answer
when I got one wrong so I could better understand what I was missing. The other thing I wish
was better was teaching the APA 7 manual. Sometimes when I would be taking one of the
quizzes, and it would say as what one was correct, I was completely lost as to what they were
looking for. I was not sure what the quiz was looking for, the proper formatting for a reference, if
it was just written correctly in the text, and so on. I am thankful for The guidance of Dr. de la
Noceda's guidance when writing the paper. It was helpful and a great learning tool when I was
shown what I needed to fix or improve on. Overall, this was a great introduction to the program
in several ways. It showed us how to be writing and a bit about what to expect for the demand of
the classes in the future. One thing I reminded myself of is a verse that is important to me "For I
know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to
give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11, New Living Translation). I need to trust God and
his plans for me in the Doctor Of Strategic Leadership program and that I am not in it by
mistake.
References
Chatchawaphun, P., Julsuwan, S., & Srisa-ard, B. (2016). Development of program to enhance
strategic leadership of secondary school administrators. International Education Studies,
9(10), 34–46. https://doi.org/10.5539/ies.v9n10p34
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
Merida, T. (2015).EChrist-centered exposition: Exalting Jesus in 1 and 2 kings. (D. Platt & D. L.
Akin, Eds.). B & H Publishing Group.E
Qadri, M. A. (2016). The concept of applied leadership in the contemporary world.EJournal of
Education and Practice,E7(4), 17–23.
Response 1: William Yantis
William,
I am glad you found the Doctoral in Strategic Leadership program is going to fit you
currently and in your future. Having a solid education can never hurt. It sounds like it is a good
fit and goal for you. One study I read showed that having a higher education gives you a
competitive advantage (Aksan, 2021). I know for myself it will give me an advantage because I
am Deaf. Having more education can make up for any pitfall one may have. Sometimes having
an education will even trump someone having experience. When I went back to finish my
undergraduate degree in 2013 finally, I was in my late 20's, and it was because I was seeing more
and more my years of experience was not enough anymore.
You brought up having a mentor. For me, this is one of the most important things to be
successful in all areas of life, work, personal, and faith. I think it is good to have more than one if
needed. That way, you are able to have mentors that have strengths in different areas of your life.
I also think if we can reach out to you and mentor them, both parties involved will benefit. There
are many benefits for the youth to have someone invest in watching them grow. (Goldner & Ben-
Eliyahu, 2021).
I agree with you that this class has been a whirlwind experience. “Intelligent people are
always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge” (Proverbs 18:15, New Living
Translation). I can't believe I am done with my first class on the road to my Doctoral in Strategic
Leadership, no turning back now.
References
Aksan Halim, K. P. (2021). The positive principles and the strategic advantage of higher
education as part of the international collaboration programs.EIlkogretim Online,E20(1),
1105–1114. https://doi.org/10.17051/ilkonline.2021.01.113
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
Goldner, L., & Ben-Eliyahu, A. (2021). Unpacking community-based youth mentoring
relationships: An integrative review.EInternational Journal of Environmental Research and
Public Health,E18(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115666
Response 2: John Moore
John,
I as well took note of how so many leadership styles fit into many different avenues of
leadership. I think it is because there are so many different styles of leadership and so many ways
people respond to being lead. There are autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire leadership styles
(AlOqlah, 2021). Within those main leadership themes, there many other sub-style leaderships. I
personally am thankful for that because I know I respond better to leadership when they take a
show me approach. I know other people respond to the present approach.
"How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver" (Proverbs
16:16, New Living Translation). This came to mind when reading your thought on learning the
American Psychological Association 7 formatting. At first, I thought I understood it. I did great
on my paper for both my master's degrees. Over the course, I also saw how important it would be
in the long run for us to understand it.
I thought of you and a few other classmates when it came to the time management paper. I
come from a military family, and I could see them having no problem with that assignment. Your
thoughts on the assignment were what I would have expected. You had a firm grasp of it where I
have a very different life and have to take a very different approach to time management. But in
the end, no matter how we get there, we both can have the right time management. When I was
researching time management, there were several approaches. At first, I did not see my approach,
but one article I read highlighted that time management needs to be flexible with the goals still in
mind for some people (De-Juanas et al., 2020).
By the way, it is nice to see a friendly face in our next class.
References
AlOqlah, R. M. A. (2021). The effect of leadership styles on improving communication method
among academic administrators.ECypriot Journal of Educational Sciences,E16(1), 396–410.
De-Juanas, Á., García-Castilla, F. J., Galán-Casado, D., & Díaz-Esterri, J. (2020). Time
Management by Young People in Social Difficulties: Suggestions for Improving Their Life
Trajectories.EInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,E17(23).
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17239070
Holy bible new living translation. (2021). DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure
