My Personal Passions and Interests

The following is a list of my thoughts and comments on different topics, including some journal entries. I have organized them into the following categories and I will be continuously adding new thoughts as I have them!

Graduate Coursework

Experiential Learning and Education Reform

This course explored the current education system and how it needs to change to be more effective in teaching students in a way that makes sense to everybody involved.

Adult Learning Theories

During this course, I learned and implemented many strategies for improving human performance and learning in adults. We began exploring social justice issues and how they fit in to the teaching environment. This had a profound impact on my understanding of “Identity” and its role in the experiential education process.

Psychology of Motivation

One of my more research and scientifically focused courses where we really explored the underlying psychology behind motivation and how it is defined. The many different theories for defining and measuring motivation show how to make changes in the work, school, or personal life. While none of the current theories are perfect, they provide a solid base for understanding and implementing different leadership styles.

Experience and Nature

This class was essentially an enjoyable and educative reflection of the role of the numinous in learning and life. We explored a variety of authors and philosophers as they sought to explain the awe and wonder we feel when confronted with nature.

Philosophy of Experiential Education

One of my favorite classes, we got to read a lot of philosophical material outlining experiential education, where it came from and what it means. This course really made it apparent how important it is to be open to straying from your own goals if you really want to make an impact on your students.

Reflections and Processing

Here I experienced, acquired and even created many different tools, strategies, and activities for enhancing learning and reflection amongst adults.

Interpersonal Helping Skills

While intended for the counseling fields, this course taught me a lot about empathy, body language, and various other communication skills that are effective in all aspects of leadership. This course taught me that to be a great leader, you need to be able to have difficult conversations and there’s no better way to learn those skills than through the counseling field and experiential practice.

Group Procedures

Similar to the Interpersonal Helping Skills class except this course focused on group skills. We also learned many experiential activities for leading groups to a better understanding of reality.

Psychology of Coaching

This course taught many different skills for becoming a great coach. I wrote out my very own coaching philosophy which turned into my experiential education / life philosophy. I also learned many different techniques for improving self efficacy within individuals and teams. I found this applies very well to sports, schooling, the community, and even the workplace.

Grants Administration

Practiced writing a grant for a project that I would like to do in the future. Learned the value of writing out a communication plan, working with a budget, and holding myself and my company accountable for the work we do.

Leadership Reflections and Growth Plan

What It Means to Be a Great Leader

A leader is someone who affects change in others. This change can be for the better or worse, and it is up to the leader to do what they can to make the best choices that determine the best change for others to undergo. A Great Leader is one who not only affects people for the better, but affects them so well they become great leaders themselves. Great Leaders have quite a bit in common, so it is actually pretty easy to emulate a Great Leader and become one yourself. The reason more people don’t become Great Leaders is because of how difficult it is to make the daily decisions necessary to be a great leader. Being a Great Leader is a responsibility, it is a choice you must consistently make on a daily basis, and often calls for sacrifice of oneself for the greater goal. a call to do the right thing consistently and frequently.

Values, Principles, Actions, & Behaviors of a Great Leader

Consistency – A Great Leader must be consistent in their mission, vision, attitude, and behavior.

Responsibility – A Great Leader must hold themselves responsible for the decisions they make. They must be willing to admit their mistakes and make changes to improve their situations.

Sacrifice – A Great Leader does not take sacrifice lightly. They know when to make sacrifices and when they must hold their ground.

Perception Vs. Reality – Great Leaders can tell the difference between perception and reality. They are able to see themselves and others clearly.

Empathy & Sympathy – Great Leaders are empathetic and know how to handle their own emotions as well as the emotions of others. They are able to speak and act with respect towards the feelings and emotions of others.

Inclusion – A Great Leader is able to include everyone in their decision process and knows how to get others to play well together.

Motivation – Great Leaders motivate others to perform at their best.

Work Ethic – Great Leaders work hard at everything they do. They are also able and willing to do the work that they are leading others through.

Lifelong Learning – A Great Leader knows they do not know everything, and that life is a continuous stepping stone from one place of learning to the next. The most valuable skill for becoming a Great Leader is being able to learn from every moment and being able to apply that learning to future endeavors.

Leadership Growth Plan

My Leadership Philosophy

My leadership philosophy is quite unique. Many people would say that there can never be more than one leader in a group or organization as that would cause stress, confusion, and conflicts of interest. I believe that every leader must know how to fit into many different roles. These roles range from being a follower to being a leader, ruling with force to ruling with kindness, leading by example to leading by authority, and being dictatorial to democratic when making decisions. I believe the most important quality of a good leader is not being able to fit into any one of these specific styles of leadership, but rather knowing how to switch between roles and be the best leader for each individual experience and/or person. I believe that every leader must learn to identify their natural leadership style so they may recognize when they are on autopilot versus reading each situation independently. Once they have identified their natural leadership style, a great leader must then learn to identify which leadership styles the people around them respond best to. My natural leadership style is to lead by example, use positive reinforcement, and include other’s opinions when making decisions. I want to see others succeed more than myself. I also see everyone as individuals with different motivational needs and preferences so I strive to figure out what each person or experience needs from me so I can be the most helpful possible.

My Leadership Plan

Hiring Process – My strategy for hiring quality staff members.

Look for personality and attitude first. When people have a positive and playful attitude they are more open to learning and performing at their best. I plan to hire people who have the skills to run with their strengths and who have a desire to pursue the best within themselves and others. One of my greatest desires is to have a group of people whose number one priority is to the good of everyone at the expense of no one.

Training Staff – My training plan for staff members.

It is my duty as a leader to train my staff in the best way possible. I will put their learning first, and strive to teach my employees the value of constant improvement. It is my hope that all my staff members acquire an inspiration and motivation to be the best they can possibly be while they work for me. I will give my employees the creative space to play to their strengths and find their own dreams. I will provide as many opportunities as possible to my employees and do my best to empower them in whatever ways they need. I will have weekly meetings to improve the performance and learning of my employees to figure out how I can give them what they need to be successful.

Decision Making – How I define the most important aspects of what Super Ninja will be.

I will strive to make the best decisions possible as a leader. I will strive to take into account as many opinions and ideas as I can, to respect my employees, and make decisions that are fair and reasonable while still holding the highest standards possible. I will ensure that I never back down from making difficult decisions, and when handling confrontation, I will do what is necessary in the most respectful way possible.

Communication Plan – How I plan to communicate with others.

I will communicate with respect, confidence, and control over my emotions. I will handle difficult conversations with the truth and I will take responsibility when necessary. I will strive to use positive, encouraging, inclusive, and empowering words at all times. I will focus on relationships by being genuinely interested in others. I will stay on task and be polite when bringing conversations back to the important topics at hand.

Journal Entries

Religion: Filled with the Spirit

Adventure:

Life:

Projects: Super Ninja Training Facility

Mini-studies: