Leadership Lecture Series Badge
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The Office of Leadership and Student Involvement at Old Dominion University hosts a series of lectures each semester to provide students an opportunity to advance their skills, build on social development, and encourage intellectual engagement. The lecture series allow student leaders to further expand on their leadership skills by exploring various topics, encouraging open communication, and engagement in workshops.
My participation in each of these workshops allowed me to obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for future leadership roles within the field of human services. Practicing effective communication, active listening, peer support, and ethical decision-making while exploring various leadership styles have better prepared me for working in a team structure and having a positive influence on others.
From the Fall of 2020 to the Spring of 2021, I attended and participated in five lectures from the Leadership Lecture Series. Highlights from the series can be explored in further detail below.
LIFE WHEEL ASSESSMENT
Lecture Highlights:
The life wheel assessment workshop focused on the importance of goal-setting. well-being, and personal awareness. I learned the value of balance by utilizing a tool that helps individuals visualize their present state, examine the areas of their lives that need attention, and set goals appropriately to achieve balance and well-being. Counselors work to help their clients set goals that are attainable and personalized. This workshop also explored how to use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) goal plan. This guide is used to encourage and motivate individuals so that they may focus their efforts in the appropriate places and increases their chances for success.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Lecture Highlights:
Behavioral economics: Making strong and careful financial decisions was the focus of this workshop. Of equal importance, is understanding the role that psychology and human behavior play in personal finances. Individuals can use loss aversion to their benefit by tricking the mind into saving money for emergencies, retirement, or personal goals. The psychological stress that comes with losing the things we own can be avoided by utilizing practical tools, like automatic deduction from paychecks to savings accounts. The mind doesn't miss what it doesn't see. Budget plans should always be reasonable and realistic to encourage responsible financial decision and investments.
THE JOURNEY
Lecture Highlights:
This workshop helped students identify and distinguish how cultural frameworks have shaped and continue to define identity and status as a global citizen and leader. In the relational leadership model, an effective leader should be skilled in empathic listening. It's important to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged. Furthermore, an effective leader will be ethical, inclusive, purposeful, process-oriented, and empowering. Relational leadership means that a leader nurtures others, advocates for growth, and values teamwork. Good leaders provide meaning to process within the space. I want to demonstrate trustworthiness, compassion, and integrity to my colleagues.
THE ART OF COMMUNICATION
Lecture Highlights:
In order to present our best selves, we must prioritize wellness. As they say, "You can not pour from an empty cup".
This workshop focused on the importance of prioritizing wellness, especially following the recent global health crisis and the inevitable combination of work and home life. For students, adopting healthy study habits, minimizing distractions, and avoiding multitasking are positive ways to exercise wellness. Working from home can be both challenging and overwhelming so it is vital that individuals take breaks and make time for creativity to avoid burnout. Setting reasonable goals and engaging in physical activity is also needed when nurturing a healthy mind and body. In a world that has become reliant on virtual engagement, be sure to check in on friends, peers, and family by utilizing virtual meetings for social interactions and celebrations.
MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS
Lecture Highlights:
Maintaining relationships involve the practice of leadership and initiative. Make an effort to follow-up with people who don't reach out often or that appear withdrawn as this could be a sign of dysfunction. Maintaining relationships includes fostering positive mental health in our friends, family, peers, and colleagues. In this workshop, we also discussed task-oriented and relationship-oriented leaderships, and how they impact networking.
Exhibit responsible decision-making and personal accountability.
Utilize a variety of leadership skills and abilities such as effectively leading change, resolving conflict, and motivating others.
Demonstrate communication skills and the ability to interrelate with others.