Learning

Throughout Leading as a Way of Serving, there were many lessons that I experienced and learned. By completing reading assignments, writing papers, participating in class discussions, and attending the class retreat, there were many opportunities to learn course content as well as realizing new aspects about myself. At the beginning of the semester, I did not know that I would be learning so much and that I could retain so many new life lessons in such a short amount of time.
One of the most influential aspects that I learned about myself during this course was the Gallup Strength Test. On this test, I was evaluated on by answering personality questions and the results pinpointed five of my superior strengths. The test was online and required that participants choose between two option of what they though was more true about themselves. As I took the test, I found that some of the questions were difficult to choose between. At the end of the test, I discovered that my number one strength was strategy. I highly identified with this result because I enjoy planning ahead and being prepared. It also was apparent during our class retreat when we were constructing the labyrinth. As my peers and I worked together, I was making sure that the path was accurate and that our masterpiece was functional. In other aspects of my life, I find myself looking to achieve the end result by creating a plan of how to get there. For example, I was recently in a group project that was getting off to a slow start. As we were getting closer to the deadline, I contacted my group members to split up the work evenly so that we did not have to meet in person, but would still be able to complete the assignment. By taking on this role, I was able to feel comfo...

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...ven think about. This was a great underlying learning experience of the activity because I learned not to have preconceived notions about what other people will do and how they will react.
By being an active participant throughout Leading as a Way of Serving, I have had the opportunity to learn so much through assignments, in class activities, demonstrations, and the class retreat. When doing the tasks and taking time to reflect on the experience, I have come to learn that each aspect of the class had a greater impact that the original intention. In thinking about whom I am as a person and how each moment can be a new opportunity for learning, I can live each day in confidence in knowing that I can continue to grow as a servant leader.

Works Cited

Maier, M., personal communication, April 6, 2014.

Rath, T. (2007). Strengths finder 2.0. New York: Gallup Press.