Week One Discussion Thread
For me, the apparent short-term goal is to graduate from Liberty University with a Doctor
of Strategic Leadership (DSL). I am Deaf, and I have to prove to myself more than others that I
know what I am doing in the world of those that can hear. Having a DSL will be a valuable tool
to show others I am capable. However, I think that is a goal for all of us in the program. I am
hoping to gain formal leadership and management skills. I have held roles spanning from
leadership positions in my undergraduate schooling and in the workplace. In that environment, I
was thrown into the roles without having a formal education about what makes good leaders or
managers. Receiving a degree in strategic leadership will make me better in more than just the
workplace – it will spill over into many areas of life. My long-term goal is to help organizations
and companies understand how to work with Deaf individuals and to show Deaf youth they are
capable of doing anything by becoming great leaders. My two passions are youth and helping
others understand how to serve and work with Deaf individuals.
One article I read was a study of different universities and colleges leadership
majors/programs. They discussed roughly six notable differences First, the schools with
leadership majors are not limited to a particular type or size of institution. Second, there is little
consistency on the host division or academic department of the leadership major. Third, the total
number of credit hours for the major varied greatly. Fourth, there was a stark difference between
the degree programs that focused on a civic mission versus those who promote an organizational
leadership objective (Brungardt et al., 2006). The findings were that " it will take some time to
construct the building blocks of a standardized leadership major" (Brungardt et al., 2006). For
me having a faith-based leadership degree where learning leadership intertwined with faith is
essential. As Christians, we should make sure we are leading with our knowledge and faith. The
Bible says, "He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands" (New Living
Week One Discussion Thread
Translation, 2021, Psalm 78:72). I want to learn how to lead with skillful faith-based hands.
Knowing our biblical standing will also aid in our future leadership endeavors.
The role of helping organizations and companies understand how to work with Deaf
individuals while having a DSL is essential because it will be used at all times. If I am going to
consult with organizations and companies, I would not necessarily be leading a team of my
employees but other organizations and companies that I do not work for. I need to walk in and be
able to lead people who don't even know me. One article I read showed a perfect example of how
I want to use my degree to help people understand their Deaf coworkers or clients. It highlighted
a "central issue was that even if the participants wanted to get to know their deaf colleagues
outside of their role-based interactions, communication barriers made it more difficult than
would be the case with hearing colleagues (Young et al., 2019). When I refer to understand, I do
not always mean American Sign Language (ASL). There are a lot of things people don't
understand about the Deaf more than just a language (American Sign Language). Deaf people
have a rich culture, community, and history that many are unaware of.
Overall, once I have finished my Doctor of Strategic Leadership at Liberty University, I
am confident that I will feel and be equipped to lead others with leadership skills and a solid faith
foundation. I am looking forward to the classes I will be taking and everything I will be learning
from them.
References
Brungardt, C., Voss, O. G., Greenleaf, J., Brungardt, C., & Arensdorf, J. (2006). Majoring in
Leadership. Journal of Leadership Education, 5(1), 4–25.
https://doi.org/10.12806/v5/i1/rf1
DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure edition. (2021). Holy Bible: New Living Translation.
Week One Discussion Thread
Young, A., Oram, R., & Napier, J. (2019). Hearing people perceiving deaf people through sign
language interpreters at work: on the loss of self through interpreted communication.
Journal of Applied Communication Research, 47(1), 90–110.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00909882.2019.1574018
Response One
John Moore
I am a proud granddaughter of a Medal of Honor recipient (Donald E. Rudolph Sr.), a
niece to an Army, Navy, and Airforce veteran. Thank you for your service. With your years of
service in the military and such a variety of posts, that must have been a great learning
experience with different kinds of leadership. Coming from a military family, the outside view
is, I think, a very ridged type of leadership, and I know firsthand that is not the case. I
appreciated your reference to Mark 1:17 and how we are to make leaders. I make me think of
"You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the
Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name" (New Living Translation, 2021, John
15:16). The Bible is, in many ways reminding us to be leaders that help bring up future leaders in
his image.
Your point how as we go through all the articles, curriculum, social changes, and human
changes, how we need to lead ourselves was thought-provoking. One article I have read you may
enjoy as well. It is called Dirty Hands Make Dirty Leaders?! The Effects of Touching Dirty
Objects on Rewarding Unethical Subordinates as a Function of a Leader's Self-Interest. One
snippet that brings self-reflection was "the essence of who we are as social, moral, and also self-
Week One Discussion Thread
interested beings is to a large extent shaped by how we relate to others" (Cramwinckel et al.,
2012). As we relate to others, that forms parts of our leadership qualities.
Reading your post and with your experience, I feel like it highlights "true leaders do not
set out to lead, they follow-a dream, an ideal, a long-term vision for their family, organisation,
country, or the world. Today's organisations should take note of this and assess talent for
purpose, responsibility, and loyalty, not just ego" (Ben-Hur, 2018).J
References
Biblical lessons for today's leadership. (2013, Feb 18).JFinancial
Expresshttp://ezproxy.liberty.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com
%2Fnewspapers%2Fbiblical-lessons-todays-leadership%2Fdocview
%2F1288216902%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D12085
Cramwinckel, F. M., De Cremer, D., & van Dijke, M. (2012). Dirty Hands Make Dirty Leaders?!
The Effects of Touching Dirty Objects on Rewarding Unethical Subordinates as a Function
of a Leader’s Self-Interest.JJournal of Business Ethics,J115(1), 93–100.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1385-4J
DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure edition. (2021). Holy Bible: New Living Translation.
Response Two
David Bascom
I am in the same mind frame when it comes to short-term goals. I want to complete the Doctor of
Strategic Leadership program. I like your mantra one week, one assignment at a time. I
appreciate that this program allows us to do that with one course at a time. We are able to really
dedicate ourselves to learning the objective they want us to understand. I look forward to seeing
Week One Discussion Thread
what everyone like you has to say. "Adults bring a great deal of background experiences and
prior learning to any new learning process" (Collins, 2004). I also am lucky to have some great
support while in this program. My best friend is also starting her doctoral degree with Liberty in
Communication. Her first class is our third class to take. She is a tremendous support and help
for me. One thing we can't forget we are going to be in a lot of classes together, so we need to
rely on peer support as well. One article I read talked about this a lot "peer support is
indispensable to ensure high-quality online learning" (Cocquyt et al., 2019). I like you also look
forward to learning from each other. I have always believed that seeing and seeing other's
perspectives is beneficial in so many ways. It looks like we have a diverse class, so there will be
many perspectives to learn from. We all have so many long and short-term goals to accomplish.
For me, one verse that I will remind myself often is, "But as for you, be strong and courageous,
for your work will be rewarded" (New Living Translation, 2021, 2 Chronicles 15:7). I hope you
find a motivating verse for yourself.
References
Cocquyt, C., Zhu, C., Diep, A. N., De Greef, M., & Vanwing, T. (2019). Examining the role of
learning support in blended learning for adults' social inclusion and social
capital.JComputers & Education,J142, 1–19.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2019.103610J
Collins, J. (2004). Education Techniques for Lifelong Learning.JRadioGraphics,J24(5), 1483–
1489. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.245045020J
DaySpring; Candace Cameron Bure edition. (2021). Holy Bible: New Living Translation.
