This course provides a look at the wide range of leadership theories found in the public and private sectors.  Within each theory, we were asked to evaluate our own strengths and weaknesses and look for ways to improve our own skills and situational awareness when in a leadership role.  The assignments and book reports aided in applying the theories and skills of leadership in our own careers.  The book, Crucial Conversations, was especially relevant to the work we do in the public sector because of the nature of our work with human capital and building relationships of trust with employees, elected officials, and the public.   I walked away from this class feeling more confident in my ability to lead in a number of areas in my life and with concrete ways to improve leadership and management skills in areas I realized I was lacking. 

This class was directly related to the core competency of "Lead, Manage, and apply effective public governance." This class was also a deep dive into the core competency of problem-solving in public administration.  Good leaders do not shy away from conflict and the problems that inevitably arise in any employment (and personal) setting.  In working with others, good leaders choose honest and ethical ways to lead others through the process of solving the problems that arise. I especially appreciated all the case studies that came with each theory we studied and the assignments that required us to take the material and apply it to our lives in a very real way.  

Human Resource Management and Critical Thinking and Ethics are both related directly to this course.  This class reinforced many of the principles we learned about dealing with human capital and the importance of honest and ethical behavior in the public sector.  This course provided a deep understanding of theories and skills that can be used in any professional (and personal) situation.  

I appreciated the opportunity I had in this course to better understand my strengths and weaknesses in the leadership roles in my life.  An honest reflection along with practical skills to improve where I feel l need to is exactly what I hoped to gain from this program.  I was able to apply many of the lessons from this course to my personal life as well, which is even more important to me than any of my professional roles or relationships.