LeaderShape - YOUR winter break destination.
LeaderShape is an experience like no other. It is also something that is difficult to describe to those who have never been in the mix during a LeaderShape session. There is a sense of collaboration, cooperation, and growth that shapes itself into a unique class of leaders each year. The participants show up knowing very few people in the room and leave after only one week with friends and comrades for life.
I will not reveal to you the many secrets of LeaderShape because it is much more effective if future participants attend with only a vague idea of what is to come. Becoming flexible, willing, and dedicated to the program is the way to gain an eye-opening experience on what leadership is and what we can work together to make leadership become. I have learned a great deal about how to go about leading as well as in what situations I find myself to be a good leader. However, I was challenged and questioned throughout the week to expand my perception of leadership and accept the ideas and perceptions of others. Those participants like me who came in expecting to know what is going on and how to get through the session with the least effort were quickly floored. Each person in that session led in a different way, using different strengths, and all accomplishing mind-blowing goals.
I walked away from this experience with new insights into how leaders should treat those who are part of their team and how a great deal can be accomplished if a leader knows how to use the strengths of each person on the team. We learned about communication and discussion and how positivity and collaboration can help a discussion blossom just as well as negativity and a closed mind can stop a discussion dead in its tracks. I gained insight into how personality types can work well together as well as how different personalities can butt heads and get nothing done.
A big topic of LeaderShape is leading with integrity. This is a short phrase that holds a great deal of hidden thoughts and topics. Leading with integrity does not stop at knowing what to do as a leader or choosing to lead in situations that you are passionate about. Leading with integrity means always choosing to be a leader, whether in front of a crowd or with a group of friends. Integrity is not something that we can turn on and off as we please. Choosing integrity in life means treating others with respect and always living out our core values of what is important to us in life. Without core values that drive who we are and what we do, passionate leadership cannot be paired with the integrity we desire. This does not mean leading with integrity comes easy. It is a work in progress, and though each of us may stumble at times, having others around us who see our true values and passions will get us back on track to leading.
It is difficult to explain what I have learned through words. I believe much of what I learned is better displayed through my actions and products of the session. I have included below my "Breakthrough Blueprint" and "Tomorrow's Headline" projects to show my vision for the future and what I would consider a goal of mine during my time in Music Education. I have also attached a "Definition of Leadership" document that has some discussion of what I thought leadership was as well as the knowledge I have gained that has changed my perspective of what leadership is. I will gladly discuss my experience further, and if you're a UHP student thinking about attending LeaderShape, don't hesitate! It will be one of the best ways you've spent a week of your winter break.
My vision is to see a world where every child in every school has a chance to express themselves through music. This is not to say I want to create Mega-bands of instrument-playing children. That is counter-productive to forming students who will be lifelong music lovers and creators. I would rather have schools with hip hop music studios and African drumming alongside the classical ensembles that may not suit every student. In my future career, as well as during my college career, I hope to team up with members of the community that bring opportunities for students to express themselves through the music they enjoy. If a student wants to move to music, let them dance. If a student wants to write songs, provide that opportunity. There are as many ways to help students express who they are through music as any of us can imagine and I will strive to be one who shows everyone what music can do for them.
Feel free to visit leadershape.org for more information.
I will not reveal to you the many secrets of LeaderShape because it is much more effective if future participants attend with only a vague idea of what is to come. Becoming flexible, willing, and dedicated to the program is the way to gain an eye-opening experience on what leadership is and what we can work together to make leadership become. I have learned a great deal about how to go about leading as well as in what situations I find myself to be a good leader. However, I was challenged and questioned throughout the week to expand my perception of leadership and accept the ideas and perceptions of others. Those participants like me who came in expecting to know what is going on and how to get through the session with the least effort were quickly floored. Each person in that session led in a different way, using different strengths, and all accomplishing mind-blowing goals.
I walked away from this experience with new insights into how leaders should treat those who are part of their team and how a great deal can be accomplished if a leader knows how to use the strengths of each person on the team. We learned about communication and discussion and how positivity and collaboration can help a discussion blossom just as well as negativity and a closed mind can stop a discussion dead in its tracks. I gained insight into how personality types can work well together as well as how different personalities can butt heads and get nothing done.
A big topic of LeaderShape is leading with integrity. This is a short phrase that holds a great deal of hidden thoughts and topics. Leading with integrity does not stop at knowing what to do as a leader or choosing to lead in situations that you are passionate about. Leading with integrity means always choosing to be a leader, whether in front of a crowd or with a group of friends. Integrity is not something that we can turn on and off as we please. Choosing integrity in life means treating others with respect and always living out our core values of what is important to us in life. Without core values that drive who we are and what we do, passionate leadership cannot be paired with the integrity we desire. This does not mean leading with integrity comes easy. It is a work in progress, and though each of us may stumble at times, having others around us who see our true values and passions will get us back on track to leading.
It is difficult to explain what I have learned through words. I believe much of what I learned is better displayed through my actions and products of the session. I have included below my "Breakthrough Blueprint" and "Tomorrow's Headline" projects to show my vision for the future and what I would consider a goal of mine during my time in Music Education. I have also attached a "Definition of Leadership" document that has some discussion of what I thought leadership was as well as the knowledge I have gained that has changed my perspective of what leadership is. I will gladly discuss my experience further, and if you're a UHP student thinking about attending LeaderShape, don't hesitate! It will be one of the best ways you've spent a week of your winter break.
My vision is to see a world where every child in every school has a chance to express themselves through music. This is not to say I want to create Mega-bands of instrument-playing children. That is counter-productive to forming students who will be lifelong music lovers and creators. I would rather have schools with hip hop music studios and African drumming alongside the classical ensembles that may not suit every student. In my future career, as well as during my college career, I hope to team up with members of the community that bring opportunities for students to express themselves through the music they enjoy. If a student wants to move to music, let them dance. If a student wants to write songs, provide that opportunity. There are as many ways to help students express who they are through music as any of us can imagine and I will strive to be one who shows everyone what music can do for them.
Feel free to visit leadershape.org for more information.
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