Narrative
One of the ways I have grown in the leadership competency is through participation in committees and volunteering for projects. For example, recently I was asked if I would like to serve on the strategic planning committee for web chat advising at Owens Community College. As an advisor who does web chat, I have a vested interest in how the college will continue to utilize this service with students. Our committee was charged with developing a strategic plan. (See a copy of the strategic plan below) I assisted with this project and am taking part in developing a marketing plan for chat and researching how other institutions are using chat with their students and compiling the findings into a report. As someone who embraces change and enjoys collaborating with others, I am excited about my work on this committee.
A quote by Cadet Maxim correlates well with my thoughts about being a leader. “Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. When I was teaching a job search class recently, I came across the story of Dallas Clayton, a person who had a dream of writing children’s books. He wrote An Awesome Book for his son, a children’s book about the importance of having big, fantastic, wild, unbelievable dreams no matter what your age. Clayton’s big, fantastic dream was to write a children’s book, but no one he pitched the book to agreed to help him publish it. Initially, he published the book himself, put it online, and the book
kept selling. People all over the world wrote him letters telling him how much he had inspired them. Then, he started traveling the country reading his books to children and adults in schools, hospitals, bookstores, and libraries. Recently, Harper Collins called and told him they wanted to rerelease the
book and help him take his message to millions of people. Clayton thinks that life is about dreaming, sharing ideas, inspiring people, and making the world a better place. As a student affairs professional, I believe that we have the opportunity to do just that in our everyday work with
students.
For me, part of being a leader also entails one’s willingness to connect with others in an effort to share ideas and constantly improve. I reached out
to Clayton via e-mail and asked him what he would share with students in my class about his experiences. (See e-mail to Dallas Clayton and his reply.) The students could not believe that he actually replied. This served as a great example of the opportunities that we have to reach out to others via the internet to share ideas and gain insight and perspective.
In my relationships with faculty and staff, I believe that collaboration and the sharing of ideas is the key. It is important to be open-minded to new ideas, ways of doing things, and change. The relationships I build with faculty and staff across the campus enhance how effective I am in my work
with students. As an academic advisor, I serve as a primary resource for students, so I make it a point to get to know other colleagues and faculty so that I can refer students to these folks when the need arises.
No matter what position I am in on a college campus, I believe that it will be important to model leadership. As a result, I want to read books about leadership and continue to grow and serve as an example to others in this area. Seeking mentors in student affairs will push me to excel and help hold me accountable to my personal and professional goals.
Resource:
ACPA & NASPA (2010). Professional competency areas for student affairs practitioners. Washington, DC: Authors.
Photo from http://www.bostonsearchgroup.com/blog/tag/leadership/
A quote by Cadet Maxim correlates well with my thoughts about being a leader. “Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible. When I was teaching a job search class recently, I came across the story of Dallas Clayton, a person who had a dream of writing children’s books. He wrote An Awesome Book for his son, a children’s book about the importance of having big, fantastic, wild, unbelievable dreams no matter what your age. Clayton’s big, fantastic dream was to write a children’s book, but no one he pitched the book to agreed to help him publish it. Initially, he published the book himself, put it online, and the book
kept selling. People all over the world wrote him letters telling him how much he had inspired them. Then, he started traveling the country reading his books to children and adults in schools, hospitals, bookstores, and libraries. Recently, Harper Collins called and told him they wanted to rerelease the
book and help him take his message to millions of people. Clayton thinks that life is about dreaming, sharing ideas, inspiring people, and making the world a better place. As a student affairs professional, I believe that we have the opportunity to do just that in our everyday work with
students.
For me, part of being a leader also entails one’s willingness to connect with others in an effort to share ideas and constantly improve. I reached out
to Clayton via e-mail and asked him what he would share with students in my class about his experiences. (See e-mail to Dallas Clayton and his reply.) The students could not believe that he actually replied. This served as a great example of the opportunities that we have to reach out to others via the internet to share ideas and gain insight and perspective.
In my relationships with faculty and staff, I believe that collaboration and the sharing of ideas is the key. It is important to be open-minded to new ideas, ways of doing things, and change. The relationships I build with faculty and staff across the campus enhance how effective I am in my work
with students. As an academic advisor, I serve as a primary resource for students, so I make it a point to get to know other colleagues and faculty so that I can refer students to these folks when the need arises.
No matter what position I am in on a college campus, I believe that it will be important to model leadership. As a result, I want to read books about leadership and continue to grow and serve as an example to others in this area. Seeking mentors in student affairs will push me to excel and help hold me accountable to my personal and professional goals.
Resource:
ACPA & NASPA (2010). Professional competency areas for student affairs practitioners. Washington, DC: Authors.
Photo from http://www.bostonsearchgroup.com/blog/tag/leadership/
Chat Strategic Plan:
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E-mail Correspondence With Dallas Clayton:
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