Unit 1 Introduction to Leadership and Lifelong Learning
Overview
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Welcome to LDRS 301—Lifelong Learning in Leadership! As long as human beings have existed, so too has leadership. The study of the discipline of leadership is complex and fascinating!
In this first unit, we examine various definitions of leadership with the understanding the leadership is not easily defined. To this day, the definition of leadership continues to evolve, as models of leadership have shifted throughout the ages. You will start to think about how you define leadership. You will also begin to examine the difference between good leadership and poor leadership, and examine this against your own experiences. We will introduce the concept of authentic leadership and present characteristics of twenty first century leaders. You will begin to think about your True North, the internal compass that guides you successfully through life. Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Developing good leadership skills is a lifelong pursuit requiring continuous learning. As such, this unit begins to explore key components that will enable success as an adult learner. How we organize ourselves, our thoughts and ideas, and our time all contribute to our success as a learner and as a leader. In this unit, you will be encouraged to establish a plan that will enable your success.
Lastly, we look at our own life stories as a pre-cursor to our journey to self-discovery. Understanding our life story can help answer the question, Who am I?
Are you ready? Let’s get started!
Topics
This unit is divided into the following topics:
- What is leadership?
- Discovering your True North
- Your life story
- Setting up for success as a lifelong learner
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this unit, you should be able to:
- Compare and contrast various definitions of leadership and use this to construct your own definition of leadership
- Differentiate good leadership from poor leadership
- Examine the concept of character and how we can express ourselves as an authentic leader
- Identify key components that will enable success as an adult learner
- Construct a record of key life events that will help define your life story
Activity Checklist
Here is a checklist of learning activities you will benefit from in completing this unit. You may find it useful for planning your work.
Learning Activities
- Reflections on Leadership (30 minutes)
- Respond to the reflection questions in your learning journal
- Famous Leaders Activity
- Respond to the reflection questions in your learning journal
- Everyday Leadership (30 minutes)
- Watch the TED Talk Everyday Leadership (6:02 minutes)
- Reflect on the discussion questions
- Watch the TED Talk Everyday Leadership (6:02 minutes)
- Defining Leadership (30 minutes)
- Review Presentation Defining Leadership
- Respond to the reflection prompts
- Review Presentation Defining Leadership
- Historical Figures (60 minutes)
- Consider the historical figures on each of the flashcards
- Consider the reflection questions
- Consider the historical figures on each of the flashcards
- Unit Readings (30 minutes)
- True North, Introduction
- True North, Introduction
- Discover How Others See You (30 minutes)
- Interview a family member or close friend
- Interview a family member or close friend
- Unit Readings (30 minutes)
- True North – Chapter 1
- True North – Chapter 1
- Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (20 minutes)
- Watch the TED Talk Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (13:56 minutes)
- Watch the TED Talk Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (13:56 minutes)
- Establish a Study Schedule (30 minutes)
- Establish a study schedule that will work for you.
- Block off times for your learning activities and note due dates for assignments.
- Schedule time to complete your work.
- Consider blocking off family time, personal commitments, exercise, and rest.
- Establish a study schedule that will work for you.
Assessment
In this course you demonstrate your understanding of the course learning outcomes in various ways. Please see the Assessment section in Moodle for assignment details and due dates.
1.1 What is Leadership?
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We begin Unit 1 by exploring the concept of leadership.
Is leadership a trait? Is leadership an ability? Is leadership a skill? Is leadership a behaviour? Is leadership a relationship? Is leadership a process of influence? The answer is yes! Leadership is all of these things. Scholars have studied leadership for decades and there are many definitions of leadership in the literature.
Most of us have had positive experiences with leaders who have inspired us and left us feeling hopeful, encouraged, confident, and valued. Many of us have also had negative experiences with leaders that have left us frustrated, discouraged, angry, and devalued. Think about your own experiences with different leaders.
There are a number of universal attributes associated with positive leaders and negative leaders:
Positive Leader Attributes
| Trustworthy | Just | Honest |
| Foresighted | Plans ahead | Encouraging |
| Positive | Dynamic | Motivator |
| Builds confidence | Motivational | Dependable |
| Intelligent | Decisive | Effective bargainer |
| Win-win problem solver | Communicative | Informed |
| Administratively skilled | Coordinator | Team builder |
| Excellence oriented |
Negative Leader Attributes
| Loner | Asocial | Non-cooperative |
| Irritable | Non-explicit | Egocentric |
| Ruthless | Dictatorial |
Source: Northouse, P. (2018). Introduction to Leadership. Fourth Edition. Sage. (p. 8)
As you will discover, leadership is not easily defined. The learning activities below are designed to help you start thinking about what leadership is and is not.
Activity: Reflections on Leadership (30 minutes)
Reflect on the following questions. Jot your responses down in your learning journal
- Think about a leader who inspires you. How or why do they inspire you?
- What makes leadership effective or ineffective?
- What makes leadership good or poor?
What is a learning journal?
Your learning journal is simply a record of your thoughts. In our academic context, it is a reflection of the way you think and the manner in which you respond to your learning. Journals can consist of traditional note taking, mind maps, pictures, stream-of-consciousness writing, recordings, quotes, sketches, or drawings: whatever you choose to include. Experiment and have fun.
The purpose of journaling is to make you an active participant in your learning experiences as you engage in the various activities throughout the course’s readings, activities, and discussions with your instructor, facilitator, and your fellow students. Reflecting upon these learning events will help you gain a deeper understanding of the course materials and help integrate your learning into applied practice in your everyday life and work.
Activity: Everyday Leadership (30 minutes)
View the TED Talk Everyday Leadership (6:02 minutes)
Reflect on the following questions:
- What is Dudley’s key message(s) about leadership?
- In what ways (if any) does this video change the way you think about leadership?
- What key attributes about leadership did you pick up on in this video?
Activity: Defining Leadership (30 minutes)
Review the statements below and answer the question prompts.
Defining Leadership - Click to expand
What is leadership?
You will wrestle with this question throughout the course. In fact, this is something you will think about in the years to come.
Let’s look at a few definitions…
“Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.”
– Lord Montgomery
- What are the strengths of this definition?
- Any weaknesses?
- Does it inspire you?
- Is it too broad? Too narrow?
“Leadership is the moving of people toward goals through a system or organization. It can be done well or it can be done badly, or it can be done indifferently, but it cannot not be done at all.”
– Christopher Hodgkinson
- Is there any part of this definition that stands out as particularly right or wrong?
- Can you give an example?
“The authentic leader brings people together around a shared purpose and empowers them to step up and lead authentically in order to create value for all stakeholders.”
– Bill George
- Do you think this definition of leadership is true? Is it all true?
- Do you notice what’s been added to this definition-this idea of creating value for all stakeholders? What do you think of this?
- Is there anything you would add or take away?
“Good leadership is motivating, mobilizing, and developing others to accomplish a task, or think in a certain way, that is for the benefit of all concerned.”
– Trinity Western University Program Definition of Leadership
- Evaluate this definition against your own experiences.
- Does it inspire you?
- Think about ways you can strengthen it.
Think about your own definition of leadership…
- What would you include?
- What would you not include?
- Write out your own definition of leadership in your learning journal
Activity: Historical Figures (60 minutes)
Consider the historical figures on each of the flashcards below. If you are not familiar with this person, feel free to do some additional research of your own to understand who they are and their contributions to history.
Consider the following questions:
- Do you think this person is a leader? If so, in what ways?
- Do you think this person is a good leader? Why or why not?
- Which of the definitions of leadership presented in the previous activity best describe this person, if any?
- Do you think it’s possible for a person to be an effective leader, yet not a good leader? What would make this distinction?
Note that the learning activities in this course are ungraded, unless specified. They are designed to help you succeed in your assessments in this course, so you are strongly encouraged to complete them.
Questions to Consider
After completing the activities above, consider the following questions:
- What is my definition of leadership?
- What are the qualities of good leadership?
- How can I become a better leader?
1.2 Discovering Your True North
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Think about the leaders you have admired over the years. What was it that drew you to them? In most cases, one of the things we most admire about leaders is their character. Character is often described as the distinctive qualities of a person. This could be the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves. Character also refers a person’s qualities, personality, and core values.
Character is a fundamental aspect of leadership. We will talk more about the importance of character in Unit 4.
Leadership expert, Bill George (2015), describes True North as your orienting point—your fixed point in a spinning world—that helps you stay on track as a leader. It is derived from your most deeply held beliefs, your values, and the principles you lead by. It is your internal compass, unique to you, that represents who you are at your deepest level.
Interviews with thousands of leaders have confirmed the dramatic changes in today’s leaders:
- Authenticity has become the gold standard for leaders
- Charisma, image, and style have been replaced by character, humility, and service
- Hierarchical leaders are out, empowering leaders are in
- Today’s leaders celebrate diversity and understand how to lead in global environments
Discovering your own True North is an important step in your leadership journey!
Activity: Discover How Others See You (30 minutes)
- Interview a family member or close friend—someone who knows you well and whom you trust to provide honest feedback. The following are some suggested questions/prompts that can help uncover how others see you:
- What are some of my personality traits?
- What do you think are my most important values?
- What are my top strengths?
- What is an area for growth and development?
- Describe me in one sentence.
A note about Course Interviews:
Just a reminder when interviewing someone outside of your course,
- Did you identify what class you are taking?
- Did you explain the purpose of your questions?
- Did you assure the participant that your conversation is confidential and optional?
Reflect on the following questions and jot some of your thoughts and reflections down in your learning journal:
- Did you learn anything about yourself that surprised you?
- How did it feel to hear how others see you, especially your strengths and weaknesses?
- Do you agree or disagree with what was shared with you by your family member or friend?
- How might you use this information to grow in your leadership journey?
Questions to Consider
After completing the activities above, consider the following questions:
- What does the concept True North mean? What is my True North?
- Why is it important to have an orienting point?
- How would I (or others) describe my character?
1.3 Your Life Story
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“Your life story is your foundation. It shapes how you, as a human being, see the world.”
– Bill George
Your life story is important to your leadership. Understanding who you are, where you’ve come from, and the experiences that have shaped you are essential steps in your journey to self-awareness (we’ll talk more about this in Unit 3).
Our life stories provide the context for our lives. What impact have your parents, teachers, and coaches had on your life? How has the community in which you were raised influenced who you are today? What experiences (both positive and negative) have shaped how you see the world?
What’s your story?
Activity: Unit Readings (30 minutes)
- Read True North, Chapter 1
Questions to Consider
After completing the activities above, consider the following questions:
- What people, events, and experiences have had the greatest impact on me and my life?
- What is my life story, and how does my story define my leadership?
1.4 Setting up for success as a lifelong learner
Image from: https://medium.com/(jonathanqilee/exploring-the-art-of-leadership-ebe13b0109f4?)
Developing good leadership skills is a lifelong pursuit requiring continuous learning. This course is designed to provide the learner with an introduction to both learning and leading that ensures personal and academic success for lifetime of leadership development and application.
As Malcolm Knowles has said, “Experience is the richest source for adult’s learning. Therefore, the core methodology for adult education is the analysis of experience”. As we begin to think about what leadership is and how it’s done best, your reflection and analysis of your own past experiences will heavily inform your thinking.
This course is considered a “toolbox course”. Throughout the course, you will be equipped with tools and strategies that will serve you well in this course, in your future courses, and in your leadership journey.
Tools and strategies introduced in this unit include:
- Course syllabus
- Learning journal
- Time management
Syllabus
A course syllabus is your roadmap for your course. A syllabus includes the course description and learning outcomes. These are approved by the university senate. You can be assured that the courses you will take at Trinity Western University are reviewed with rigor and are academically sound. Your course texts and activities are listed in the syllabus. You will also find details about course evaluation and the weighting of each course activity. Your syllabus also includes polices around grading, late assignments, academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism, and policies that support students with a disability.
Lastly, and perhaps of most relevance and interest to you, is the course outline. This lists the topics to be covered each week, along with the corresponding activities, such as reading assignments, discussions, and assignments. Essentially, the course syllabus establishes expectations and standards – a contract of sorts between the instructor and the students. You can use your course syllabus as a time management tool. Getting comfortable with reading and interpreting your syllabus will help you be prepared each week. Every course you take at Trinity Western University will have a syllabus, thus, it is an important tool for your toolbox.
Learning Journal
Journaling is an important part of this course, the BA in Leadership program, and also lifelong learning. Your learning journal is simply a record of your thoughts. It is a reflection of the way you think and the manner in which you respond to your learning. Journals can consist of traditional note taking, mind maps, pictures, stream-of-consciousness writing, recordings, quotes, sketches, or drawings: whatever you choose to include. Experiment and have fun. The purpose of journaling is to make you an active participant in your learning experiences as you engage in the various activities throughout the course’s readings, activities, and discussions with your instructor and your fellow students. Reflecting upon these learning events will help you gain a deeper understanding of the course materials and help integrate your learning into applied practice in your everyday life and work.
Throughout the course, we will remind you to write in your journal, as we want to be sure you are actively learning the material. To assist you, we have provided you with questions and prompts in order to get your creative energies flowing. Reflective journaling is an activity you can and should complete on a regular or daily basis, even outside of our scheduled course activities.
Sometimes it can be a challenge to identify what, exactly, we are feeling. This Emotion Wheel can help pinpoint your emotions:
Image credit: Geoffrey Roberts. Used with permission.
Many students look back through their learning journal and discover how much they’ve grown; and how their thinking has expanded and matured. Journaling is an important tool for lifelong learners!
Time Management
Good leaders manage their time well. As you start getting into the content of this course, you may find the following strategies helpful in organizing your time:
- Set a study schedule to manage your time, setting aside time each day for your studies
- Be realistic and stick to your schedule
- Use task lists or check lists
- Give yourself deadlines
- Schedule your assignment due dates in your calendar
- Refer to your course syllabus regularly
- Don’t procrastinate
We all have different expectations of ourselves, the work we do, and how we do it. Some of us may prioritize our tasks and stick to a schedule, others may procrastinate, and others may strive for perfection—or some people might do all of these things! The key is to recognize that there is only so much time in a day. Establishing your own priorities with help you get what you want (and need) out of your courses. Be realistic in setting your schedule and remember to take care of you!
Activity: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (20 minutes)
View the TED Talk Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator (13:56 minutes)
Watch: Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator
Activity: Establish a Study Schedule (30 minutes)
Establish a study schedule that will work for you. Block off times for your learning activities and note due dates for assignments. Schedule time to complete your work. You might also consider blocking off family time, personal commitments, exercise, and rest. It is important to establish a healthy balance.
Questions to Consider
After completing the activities above, consider the following questions:
- What are some ways that procrastination has impacted my life?
- What are strategies I can use to combat procrastination?
- How do I spend my time and what changes do I need to make to allow dedicated time for my studies?
- What do I need to be successful as a lifelong learner?
Unit Summary
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In this first unit, you have had the opportunity to begin to define leadership, think about the importance of having an orienting point (True North), and have begun to think about your own life story as part of your journey to authentic leadership.
This is just the beginning! As you will discover, there is so much to learn about leadership and becoming an authentic leader who inspires others.
In Unit 2, we will take a closer look at our life stories and the role our stories play in shaping our leadership. We will look at the concept of crucibles—those transformative experiences that shape us into who we are. We will also look at how leaders can lose their way.
Checking your Learning
Before you move on to the next unit, you may want to check to make sure that you are able to:
- Identify key components that will enable success as a lifelong learner
- Compare and contrast various definitions of leadership and articulate your own definition of leadership. Remember, this is something that will continue to evolve over the coming weeks and in the months and years ahead
- Differentiate good leadership from poor leadership. You should begin to think about the qualities of good leadership and ways you can become a better leader
- Describe the concept of True North. We will continue to explore this concept over the next several weeks
- Identify the key life events that make up your life story