•• How would you describe your experience in participating in this course? How has your
experience shaped your intention of how to participate in future MBA courses?
• My experience in participating in this course was a positive one. At the beginning of this
course, I made some goals for myself where I wanted to better understand the areas I may be
lacking, what it would take to improve those areas, and learn about what other skills and
behaviors I could acquire so that when I am a people leader, I will be ready. Though I am not a
people leader just yet, I have had plenty of experiences mentoring coworkers and was able to
reflect upon those experiences to help myself throughout this course. I also reflected upon the
leaders I have had to relate back to the course learnings. Using the LPI assessment in Module 1,
provided me with a better idea of what can be considered leadership, regardless of whether I was
a leader, and where I can improve. On top of the LPI assessment, it was great to learn from my
classmates during the discussion post assignments. Understanding other’s points of view and
inputs, helped me think of things in different ways and at times, provided me with ideas that I
never would’ve thought of without their perspective. Going forward, I intend on maintain that
mindset for the remainder of my MBA. It seems obvious that others’ ideas and opinions will only
help, especially because I always welcome it, but I think my lack of person-to-person leadership
experience made me realize even more how insightful those perspectives could be. I have
already taken some of my learnings from this course and applied it to career. Part of my job is to
think strategically about the long term of a project or category. Though it may not be leadership
specific, there are changes that need to be presented and made which means there is a need for
buy in from the business and proper communication. Going through the adaptive leadership
toolkit, I have been able to take what I have learned and apply it to my work. For my own career,
I have made myself two SMART goals that I plan to incorporate into my own development plan.
I also am working on some SMART goals for my upcoming MBA courses. Even if I make one
SMART goal per course, it will help continue the practice of creating SMART goals and make it
a more habitual practice for myself.
•• What were some of the challenges you faced in this course, and how did these challenges
help you prepare for challenges in today's VUCA world of work? How do you think future
courses will help you deepen your ability to work in the VUCA world?
• There were challenges that I faced during this course. At times I felt if I had the leadership
experience, it might have helped me a bit more in understanding the material better or even
relating my experience back to the material. There were assignments that I struggled with more
than others because even though I used the resources provided and thought I understood, when I
received my grades/feedback it was clear I was a bit off. But just like the VUCA world today, it
is ever changing, and learning is a constant. To stay relevant and grow in this unforgiving
business environment, one needs to develop a learner’s mindset. I am grateful for my need to
constantly keep learning and growing. Within the VUCA world, you need to keep learning,
adapting, and overcoming whatever challenges arise. Within The VUCA Learner readings, one
line has stood out the most and I intend on keeping it in mind regularly. It is that having a growth
mindset and constantly evolving sets of skills are required to stay ahead in the turbulent business
environments. That line will not only help me in my career but also in completing my MBA.
•• The fourth industrial revolution has introduced early advances on the internet of things;
artificial intelligence (AI); and the production of smart equipment that can analyze,
diagnose, and fix issues without the need for human intervention. How do these complex
technological developments challenge leaders to adapt their leadership style and behavior?
• After looking at the complex technological developments of the fourth industrial revolution, I
believe that they not only challenge leaders to adapt their leadership style and behavior, but they
need it. The fourth industrial revolution, just like the three revolutions before it, will continue to
change the working environment. Business leaders and senior executives need to understand
their changing environment, challenge the assumptions of their operating teams, and relentlessly
and continuously innovate. Businesses will need to expand and adapt more rapidly, like they did
during the pandemic when the majority of the world was forced to transition into a work-from-
home environment. It was a huge shift not only for how the everyday work was impacted but
how leaders were able to lead. It is important to keep in mind how the fourth revolution will
affect our identity and all the issues associated with it: our sense of privacy, our notions of
ownership, our consumption patterns, the time we devote to work and leisure, and how we
develop our career, cultivate our skills, meet people, and nurture relationships. This shows that
the leadership skills and behaviors will need to continue to evolve and adapt to the everchanging
environment.
•• Considering those challenges, what do you want to learn to help prepare you to lead
more effectively? How will your future work in this program benefit you and the people
you lead?
Considering all the challenges presented by the complex technological developments, I plan to
continue to learn and adapt. The more I learn, the more fit and effective I can be as a leader. By
taking what I have learned throughout this course and continuing it in my career and MBA
program, I know it will only better prepare me for the future and any challenges that come my
way. I know the behaviors and skills that need improvement but they only way they will improve
is to do the work and practice them.
