I found the basic leadership course, both informative and transformative. Not only did I learn a lot during the course, but I also found clarity in critical issues in my career and life. For example, communication is an integral part of both leadership and day-to-day life. The lessons from this course will make me both a better leader and a better human being. I look forward to implementing these lessons in leadership to the benefit of my colleagues. The lessons in communication and teamwork are essential to me are I have struggled in these areas. Indeed, I kept finding the course material to be especially suited to my personal needs as a leader. However, I might face some challenges regarding listening skills, including empathy and listening with the intent of learning, not responding. I intend to work harder on these areas, as they include a character adjustment.
Overview of Topics and their Importance
The basic leadership course covered three significant topics. The first is related to effective writing as a mode of communication. This topic is essential since proper communication in the military can be a life or death determinant. The second topic relating to the transforming of groups into teams. A significant component of these second topic was Tuckman’s Stages of Group Development. For a leader, this topic will enable me to create oneness and a singular resolve in my team. These characteristics will increase the chances of my team’s success in its missions. Finally, the third component of the course was effective listening. I found the listening part especially crucial since I realized that I have been listening wrong. Indeed, with hindsight, some of my errors in my career have come from an inability to listen effectively. I believe that the listening component of the course was the most transformational for me.
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Implementation of the Topics
I will first take an inventory of the areas of my professional engagements that fall within each of the three units within the course. I will then use the inventory for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the topics. I intend to apply this structured implementation process for each of the three units. For example, the listening course will be vital during one-on-one meetings with team members after a potential disciplinary infraction. I will want to evaluate whether I listened with an open mind, or just as a prelude to a preset answer. Regarding the writing component, I will evaluate my written reports and communication to access the impact of the training. Finally, I have already commenced an evaluation of my team to establish which of the Tuckman’s Stages it is in, and how to get it to the performing stage.
Potential Challenges and Obstacles
I do not expect to find tangible or debilitating challenges regarding the writing component of the course. However, in teamwork, I might face some challenges in eliminating the group mentality to create a functional team. In my assessment, individualism is a common barrier that extends the storming and norming periods. Nevertheless, the fact that I now understand the problem will aid in solving it. Finally, I will also expect some challenges as I work on my personality regarding listening in leadership. Being quick to respond before factoring what the next person has said will be an obstacle that I will endeavor to overcome.
Conclusion
The reflection above confirms that I both learned and underwent a transformation during the basic leadership course. Most of the lessons, such as writing and effective listening, are issues that I have struggled with professionally. The teamwork lesson is also vital for the next phase of professional leadership. I will dedicate myself to conscientiously and relentlessly implement these vital lessons in my career and life going forward.
