Preserving Authenticity

The excitement of a new class has fully set in, and the engaging atmosphere in the classroom has shifted dialogue to a whole new level. This week we were to have read Let Your Life Speak, Listening to the voice of vocation. Starting the class, Dr. Christian showed two video clips. One with inspirational leadership quotes from across the times. I wrote a couple down-
"Authority is a poor substitute for leadership".
"The more you say, the less they remember".
The other was "Lessons on Leadership: From Mandella to Obama".
We came to focus on the importance of preserving authenticity while in leadership, and how leadership by nature dwells in a state of tension. For example, the best leaders are incredibly authentic and empathizing, however, according to the video clips- Mandella reportedly will never show how deeply the 27 years of imprisonment hurt him, and yet some how beyond his pain he authentically found the common will to end an apartheid in South Africa.
The book, Let Your Life Speak, shared a common thread with Mandella's journey... the discussion of how "dark times" serve in the development and clarity of vision and leadership.
Dr. Christian then pulled 4 chairs up to the front of the class forming a semi-circle open to the class. He asked for 4 volunteers. I went, along with 3 other students, not knowing what the assignment would be. We ended up leading the book's discussion. As other students in the class had input, they would come, and tap one of us on the shoulder to join the conversation. It was a great time to provide introspection into the text and ourselves. We contemplated the purpose of "the dark times", anything from experiences with cancer to other times that leave you with little than surrender to cling to. Some students were blessed enough never to have gone through a time such as this, and wondered if they needed a similar situation to develop fully into a leader. (I pray they never will).

Through those formative moments, dark times or in the light of leadership preserving authenticity remains a central theme, and I look forward to next week as we dive into servant leadership.

The Paradigm Shift

Last night was the first night of a one hour credit of Leadership of Self. Leading up to the night were readings in Strengths Finder 2.0, our assessment naming the top 5 strengths, and some reading selections out of Business Leadership. From the class pre-work, I learned my top five strengths are 1. Positivity, 2. Communication, 3. Woo (Winning Others Over), 4. Arranger, 5. Includer. It's amazing their interconnectedness, and I certainly see how these have been brought to light by my current position.

In our reading, the author pointed out the 7 ages of Leadership. I personally identify with the very first stage- The Infant. At this point the emerging leader is on the cusp of "What's to come" and recognizes that the next steps will be into a position of leadership, which can be a little nerve rattling and mysterious. The book highlights the importance of mentors, and I am very thankful for the ones I have in my life- Teri Hill (Amazing Executive Coach, here in the Austin Area), Dr. Edna Rehbein, Director at Texas State University- Round Rock, and my aunt Debbie Rippstein, Executive Director of our Houston-based agency. The next age provides the tips to a successful entry as leader, and I am already formulating my plan, even though the opportunity remains yet a mystery.

Today I find myself in a grant writing crunch. We submitted our LOI to a local foundation, and Tuesday, a hair shy of three I get the email that the foundation would like for us to fully complete the application process, and oh by the way, it's due Friday. For those of you unfamiliar to the grant writing process, you must understand that grant proposal personnel are packagers of sorts. We work with a whole team to get the latest in statistics, outcomes, and more from program staff. This "crunch" I am now viewing as a leadership opportunity. I used my positivity in constructing an email to staff to encourage them as we all work together to get this proposal completed. I communicated with six staff on each part of the proposal I needed their feedback on, and provided positive affirmations on their quick turnaround. Rather than just a collaborator, I have seen my paradigm shift to view this as one of many opportunities to exude leadership.

Week 10- My first graduate class is done!

Dave Ramsey has this concept of a debt snowball. If you are unfamiliar with it, he suggests that the best way to tackle the mountain of debt is by taking the smallest debt, and paying it off first. The concept is that by setting yourself up for small victories, the taste of success drives you on! Last night was week 10, and the final evening with Marketing Management with Professor Warren, and just like that, we're done! One class down... the taste of victory is fresh, and we march on to tackle the mountain of our 2 year MBA.

One thing I appreciate about our MBA experience is the value placed on reflection. In a fast paced world focused on change and what's next, Concordia knows that transformation begins from within. While most of us came to the decision of achieving our MBA with the drive for change or what's next on our journey, we are now encouraged to "take in the journey" as we travel to this destination.

Reflections on the last 10 weeks.
I can already see so much growth just from where I began 10 weeks ago. Just 10 weeks ago I came in confident, but not knowing what I didn't know, just that there was a need. 10 weeks later, I find myself confident knowing more and taking the honest look at having a more detailed idea of what I still have yet to learn. It's a good place. It keeps you humble, open to the realm of teaching possibilities. At the same time I'm "gaining my legs" in my current work place. I have confidence in new ideas, better ways of getting the job done, and a splinter of discomfort in a comfortable environment. I still have opportunities to grow, but I can see from the horizon that there may come a time that I'll have to determine what opportunities will continue to challenge me as my skill set continues to grow.

These 10 weeks have been full of teachable moments for both Concordia and me. I appreciate the open nature of the professors, faculty, and Program Director to our honest feedback. Another student summarized her thoughts well stating- I feel an obligation to let Concordia know what is working and what can be done better. It's not only my education, but the experience of the classes that come behind us.
What an incredible journey to grow ourselves, have the experience of pioneering a new program and the great opportunity of laying the groundwork for those who will follow. If you have the true spirit of the entrepreneur and want to give something, to mold, and to leave your imprint while receiving your MBA, well... that's what the Concordia MBA means to me.