MSLD 520 Module 1- Self-Awareness Blog

            While I’m only in my fourth course, the Leadership Program (MSLD) has been able to change me in multiple ways. Most of the improvements applies to my job as a student advisor at a university, while some improvements can also be noticed through everyday conversations. At this point, the two big things that shaped me is the importance of critical thinking and the importance of building and maintaining relationships.
            Prior to my enrollment to the MSLD Program, I’ve always considered myself as someone who overthinks. After completing the first class: which heavily revolved around critical thinking, I learned that critical thinking involves more than thinking about ourselves. For more effective leadership, leaders must also be aware of their surroundings: which include other people, environment, etc. (Nosich, 2012). The big thing I was able to draw and apply to my advisement is the ability to emphasize with my students. Rather than making decisions solely on university policies, I “spice” up advisement by implementing my own experiences as a student. For example, a degree map is a list of course recommendations. Rather than jotting down a list of random courses, I try to implement my own experiences when appropriate, and consider the student’s course delivery preferences, as well as personal schedule: resulting a more personalized degree map.
            In addition to critical thinking, I’ve also improved my communication skills- which lead me to stronger relationships with my students. While a part of the reason may be my natural acts of kindness, many of my students provided me feedback and other positive comments about linking personal experiences. In addition to more information, another important thing that can be drawn from sharing experiences is that it helps breaks the “barrier” between a leader and their people. In the past, I’ve always felt a little too reserved when speaking with higher authorities. Assuming that some of my students feel the same way, I disregard my status and instead blend in with the students as much as possible. It is important to keep in mind that I’m currently a student- one of them. With something in common, this help could help me engage in conversations (Groysberg & Slind, 2012). When students are comfortable enough, they may share me information that I never knew about- which could help my future advisement.
            The MSLD program helped me sharpen all Five Core Aspects of Self-Awareness. Perhaps the most important thing the program has taught me is the importance of critical thinking. With critical thinking, we’re not only thinking about ourselves, but everything around us. For my case, thinking about my students from their (and my own) perspectives has allowed me to improve their advisement. Not only do I get information about a particular class, conflict, etc., I’m also gathering information about how the students feel physically and mentally. Considering all this, I can then implement this information to future advisement.

References:

Groysberg, B., Slind, M. (2012). Leadership is A Conversation. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from http://www.harvardbusiness.org/sites/default/files/HBR_Leadership_Is_a_Conversation.pdf

Nosich, G.D. (2012). Learning To Think Things Through: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum. Boston: Peason Education.