OGL 481: Pro-Seminar I

Core Assignment 1
Table 1: Organizing and Reflecting on Key Learnings – and Collecting Key Artifacts
COURSE Key content – textbook / articles / Professional (or personal) application. As a Possible artifacts to
multimedia presentations / videos result of your academics: how do you think include in professional
differently? How do you behave differently? e-portfolio / website –
Key learning – concepts, theories, skills, What can you do more effectively? How have that illustrates tangible
best practices, applications, cases, you changed as a person? connections to personal
assignments, discussions, simulations / and professional
activities, teamwork initiatives, readings, transformation
analysis, other projects, etc.

OGL 200: The Manager’s Workshop (hands on The self-assessment made me realize I care Paper 7 – A recap of the
Introduction to simulation where you take self- about physical conditions and organization class, my self-
Organizational assessments and also watch interact within my job. I never really thought about this assessment (taken at the
Leadership videos and react to them via multiple prior to this class, but I do like working in an start and end of the
Fall 2014 choice answers, generating either organized, clean, stable office environment. I like class) results, and an
positive or negative employee having my own space to call my own and having overview on what I
feedback/actions): organization, even if it is at times organized learned from the
chaos. Manager’s Workshops.
Self-assessments: Creates awareness of
your feelings as an employee and why The simulations taught me to not assume, to
you feel the way you do. Brings hear people out, and to give people a chance. As a
realization to why you may or may not manager, I am some times quick to judge, or
like a job. Helps define what does and make assumptions. It is important to step back,
does not motivate you. and think through decisions, and how to best
motivate and encourage those that I lead.
Interactive video/discussion simulation
– Creates awareness of how you respond The theories taught me that each employee is
as a manager to employees in different different, and needs to be treated different. It is
situations. important to know your employees, and learn
what works and does not work for them. As a
Key theories discussed: Direction & manager, you need to be able to change your
Intensity Theory, Need Theory, Learning tone and style based on whom you are talking to,
 Theory, Goal Theory, Equity Theory, and and the results you are looking for. I compared
Expectancy Theory this to the book The Five Love Languages – you
need to know someone, to know how to work
New York Times articles and discussions and respond to them.

Textbook: Yukl, Gary (2013). Leadership This class brought awareness to questions you
in Organizations, 8th Ed., Pearson should be asking in an interview, more than just
Publishing. skill and knowledge, you need to make sure the
person will be a good fit within the organization.
After taking this class, I added a question to my
interview sheet, “what type of environment do
you best perform in (chaos, quiet, organized,
private, loud, etc).

OGL 220: Self-assessments, assessed: This class taught me to look at things from a Paper 1 – My own self-
Behavioral Interpersonal skills (strengths and different perspective when trying to solve assessment results and
Dynamics in weaknesses), specific behavior problems or address frustrating situations. recap, then my
Organizations competencies (ability to listen and husband’s assessment
Spring 2015 convey empathy, demonstrate During paper 2 we had to analyze a mental and my recap.
compassion, consideration, and caring model from a personal perspective. I wrote
for others, communication with people about wanting a promotion, and asking an EVP at Paper 2 – The personal
who see the world differently, building the company I work for his advice on how to changes I made as a
trust and credibility, cultivating obtain it. He brought up to dress for the position result of this class, and
relationships, awareness of own style, you want, not the position you are in. Since the outcomes (dress and
developing and maintaining positive receiving his feedback, I dress to impress at communication with
relationships, demonstrate flexibility and work, and believe how I am treated and viewed mother-in-law).
adaptability, build other’s value with a has changed since this. People view and treat me
positive impact, self-knowledge and self- as a professional, and a higher rank.
awareness, open-minded regarding
controversial issues, separate emotions Also during paper 2, I addressed the
from facts, resolving differences between communication break down between my
people, and effectively handle conflict. mother-in-law and myself. I was frustrated with
her, and after taking this class I made a change in
My husband then assessed me on the how I communicate with her. Since this change
same areas/scale. the communication and relationship has not
been as frustrating. Doing this recap reminded
Concepts discussed: Emotional me of how I need to interact with her, and
 Intelligence, Primary Effect, False appreciate how far we have come along.
Consensus Bias, Confirmation Bias,
Fundamental Attribution Error This class made me realize that although I may
not want to admit it, sometimes I am the
Textbook: Hamilton, V. M.  problem, and I need to change my ways in order
(2007).  Human Relations:  The Art and to receive the desired outcome.
Science of Building Effective
Relationships.  Pearson Prentice Hall.

OGL 240: Textbooks: Managing Projects Large and This class taught me the basic principles of None – The course could
Introduction to Small: The Fundamental Skills for project management. I thought I knew how to be not be accessed, and
Project Delivering on Budget and on Time, a project manager prior to this class. This class because I purchased a
Management Harvard Business Review Press taught me there is much more behind project new computer since this
Fall 2014 management than what I thought. class I do not have any
HBR Guide to Project Management, of my original artifacts
Harvard Business Review Press One take away from this class was to always
think about any cultural and organizational
influences on projects prior to starting them. I
had not thought about cultural differences prior
to this class. The organization I work for only
operates in the United States, so I have not had
to first hand experience differences in culture.
However, this is a very big deal when involved in
international projects and conversations. You
must do your research, and know what is and is
not acceptable.

It also taught me to think about a broader scope

when planning a project schedule; things may
not always go as planned. There must be a risk
assessment, and alternative options are great to
have for consideration.

One way that I have changed since this class is to

remain aware of demographic differences when
planning a project. For example, we have offices
in three different time zones. This is a key factor
 when planning meetings and due dates. Now,
when planning a project I take this in to
consideration, and schedule based on what
works for everyone, not just the members
around the physical table.

OGL 260: Concepts: Cash flow, business balance This class was right up my alley. I work for a Unit 6 Paper – Analysis
Resource and income sheet analysis and financial institution and am very familiar with of Herman Miller
Allocation in interpretation, and pricing/demand financial reports. I sit in the Board of Directors’
Organizations / analysis. meetings where they discuss financial reports in
Foundations of detail. Additionally, I handle all of our investor
Finance Textbook: Keown A, Martin J, & Petty J. relations, as we are a privately held company.
Spring 2016 (2014). Foundations of finance: The logic This class furthered my knowledge of the terms
and practice of financial used in financial principles, and how to
management (8th ed). Boston, MA: affectively analyze and compare an
Pearson. organization’s financials.

Since taking this class, I can better understand

basic financial principles, and was more
prepared and confident to discuss them. Before
this class I was less confident and hesitant. This
class reassured I knew what I was doing, and
boosted my confidence levels of financial
principles understanding.

OGL 300: Theory Theories: Trait and Skill Theory, Servant Even though this class was primarily focused on Module 1 Paper –
and Practice of Theory, Authentic Leadership, the different theories of leadership, it served as a Evidence of making
Leadership Behavioral Approach, Path-Goal Theory, turning point for me differentiating between connections to my
Spring 2016 Situational Theory, Adaptive Leadership, being a manager, and a leader. personal life, versus
Transformational Approach, and Leader- professional
Member Exchange Theory (LMX) were This was the first class I made leadership
the theories I focused on during this connections in my personal life, instead of my Module 7 Paper –
class. professional life. Throughout a large portion of Illustrated what I
this class, I connected the material through being learned from the
Textbooks: American Psychological a mother and a wife. Before this class, I always different theories.
Association. (2010). Publication Manual connected the material to what I do at my work,
 of the American Psychological in my professional life. Connecting the material
Association (6th ed.). Washington, D.C.: and concepts through a different channel really
Author. opened my eyes and made me realize that it is
much easier to be a manager, than it is a leader.
Northouse. P.G. (2016). Leadership, Being a leader is much more involved, and I am
Theory and Practice (7th ed.). Los true leader in my household.
Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.
From this point on, I connected further class
topics/theories and materials to both my
personal and professional life. It made my
remaining classes easier, and more enjoyable, it
also put things in a different perspective.

OGL 321: Project Harvard Business Publishing Simulation This class made me realize that I was not as Module 7 Paper – Recap
Leadership, – Project Management Simulation: Scope, advanced in project management as I had of my takeaways from
Strategy and Resources, Schedule V2, by Robert D. thought. The simulations seemed easy at first, the class, how I will
Scope Austin (Harvard Business Publishing, but were actually quite challenging. change from this class.
Fall 2015 2013) – A simulation where you juggled
human resources (number of employees, The class reminded me how important team An example from the
skill level, outsourcing, and breaks), morale is. During the simulations, if morale was Simulation
project schedule, budget, desired low, or stress was high, the whole project went
product level, and team meeting sideways. It was also important to make trade-
frequency and duration. This resulted in offs and determining those trade-offs was
team process (morale and stress), task challenging. It was like a teeter-totter and
and project completion timeline, product balancing act that never seemed perfect.
sustainability, and overall budget results.
After taking this class, during projects I managed
Concepts discussed: Project resource I remained focused on team morale, but a change
management I made was assessing risks. I always just ‘went
with it’ during projects and this class helped me
better understand the big picture, and made me
realize more pre-work is required before
starting a project, like determining risks. It
helped me break down a process map, and
structure for large projects, which I still use
today.
BIS 345:
Organizational Textbook: Ethical Issues in Business: A Ethics is something I was more naive to than I My Favorite Ethical
Ethics Philosophical Approach, (8th Edition) by thought prior to taking this class. I always gave Leader Paper –
Fall 2016 Thomas Donaldson and Patricia people, and organizations, the benefit of the Demonstrated I
Werhane. doubt. Before this class, I viewed ethics as legal understood the
standards. I did not think of culture, and principles taught in
employee behavior as ethical. This class gave an class. I would consider
alarming number of unethical examples. It made using this paper as an
me realize ethical dilemmas in organizations are artifact because I found
not as uncommon as I had previously thought, it to be a well written,
and that there is a wide variety of things that fall well rounded, fun,
under the ethics category. educating, and
enlightening paper. Plus,
Working for a financial institution, our ethical it is focused on
standards must be high caliber and in tune. [Link], which I
Since working for the organization over the last find very intriguing.
seven years, I have known of three ethical
dilemmas, of which all three were due to a lapse
in the employee’s ethical judgments, not the
organizations.

Since taking this class, I view ethics in a different

light. I read our organization’s ethics policy, and
became more aware of unethical companies
around my area. Because of this class, I feel that I
now have a better understanding and true
perception of organizations and ethics. This is
something I will forever appreciate and
remember.

BIS 343: Social Skills: Developed a psychological This class was challenging as my first group Final Interview Report –
Processes in “contract” with a team. Utilized and class. Numerous times throughout this class we Report is focused on a
Organizations reflected on self-managing and self- had to video chat with our assigned group, and fellow classmate, and
Fall 2015 monitoring. work collaboratively within a Google doc. her psychological
contract, but shows we
Used a version of Skype for team This class made me realize that I am a leader, collaborated as a team.
contract ([Link]). and a team player. Several of my classmates
 assigned to my group were not as participative
Concepts: Group decision making or caring. Being a student that cared about my
processes, managing team conflict, grades and GPA, this was extremely frustrating.
participative leadership
This class taught me patience and
Textbook: Thompson, Leigh understanding, it taught me how to address
(2014).  Making the Team: A Guide for freeloaders in a respectful manner. My take away
Managers (5th edition)  Pearson.  from this class was that not everyone genuinely
cared as much as I do. It made me that much
more appreciative of the teams I work with day
to day, in my job. It also taught me to be an even
stronger team player.

Unfortunately, because of the group I was

assigned to, and the frustrations I dealt with, this
class set the tone for future group classes, in a
negative way. It made me dread group
assignments, and actually drop a future class
after reading the syllabus.

BIS/OGL 350: Culture Intelligence Self-Assessment This class is the one that impacted me the most Paper 4 – This was an
Diversity and personally. I live in West Michigan, in a interview with one of
Organizations Race Implicit Association Test community that is not very diverse. This class my co-workers whom is
Summer 2016 was extremely eye opening for me. It taught me a different nationality
The game ‘Spent’: Illustrates so much about diversity, racism, discrimination, and culture than my
assumptions people make about poverty and socialization. own. It shows I
and homelessness. Spent is a simulation recognized cultural
of experiences, and the financial and Part of the class was a cultural immersion differences, and made a
emotional toll that arises from decisions activity, where I had to attend a cultural event connection to the
made that is related to a culture or ethnic group material learned, and
different than my own. I attended a local event the interview.
A documentary on children of the plains: here in West Michigan on raising strong black
[Link] men. While I was incredibly nervous to attend Paper 5 – As part of this
v=IJapHc7B8Xs&feature=[Link] the event, it was the best experience I have had class we were required
in a long time. I left with a new look on life, race, to attend an event that is
Speaking style exercise – gender and and diversity. It changed how I view my based on a culture
communication Caucasian son, and African American boys/men different than our own. I
 and the struggles they face. It is an event I will attended an informative
A simulation based on a real event that never forget, and will always be incredibly panel for “Raising
was faced by the US military in appreciative that I attended to open my eyes to a Strong Black Men.” This
Afghanistan - different world I did not know existed here in my paper describes the
[Link] own community. event, my experience,
amal/activity/ and what I learned.

PAF 311: Concepts: Personal Vision and The biggest surprise from this class was my Personal Leadership
Leadership and Leadership Understanding, and Leading score on the managing conflict self-assessment. I Profile and Essay -
Change (SB) Change scored much lower on this assessment than I
Summer 2016 would have expected. From this assessment I
Self-Assessments: Color Test, Community knew I needed to make a change on how I
Involvement, Handling Change, manage conflict.
Managing Conflict, Group Work
Since taking this class, I have taken two conflict
Textbooks: Student Leadership management classes outside of ASU. One was
Challenge specifically for women, and the other was for
Author: Kouzes bankers. Both have drastically helped, and I can
Edition: 2nd proudly say that because of this class I have
Copyright Year: 2014 forever changed for the better.
Publisher: Jossey-Bass, Incorporated
Publishers The other take away from this class is hiding my
emptions better. This class made me realize that
Leadership for a Better World I sometimes wear my heart on my sleeve, it
Author: Komives shows when I am having a frustrating day or
Copyright Year: 2009 experience. This is something I continue to work
Publisher: Jossey-Bass, Incorporated on. This class created the awareness, but this is
Publishers something that cannot change over night. I have
learned to take breaks and try to get out of the
office for lunch when I am having a bad day.
However, there are many days where I simply
cannot leave due to schedule conflicts. These
days I am still learning the best way to deal with
frustrations. I am still grateful for this class, and
bringing me the awareness on this topic I
needed.
BIS 357: Concepts: Organizational core Prior to this class I would have had no idea what Culminating Project –
Assessment in knowledge, capacity, performance & assessing an organization entails. Since taking This is something I
Organizations motivation, Good-to-Great and Baldrige this class, not only do I know what it entails, but I worked hard on, and am
Fall 2016 models, LESAT 2 and Shingo Prize, and think I could be pretty successful at completing very proud of. It is
Best Practices of Organizational assessments. something I could
Assessment Models. actually see being used
Part of my role in the organization I work for is by the organization I
to run the organization’s strategic planning work for.
session with the Board of Directors and Officer
Textbooks: Lusthaus, Charles, ed. team. This is never an easy task, and is hard to
Organizational assessment: A framework come up with a different style each year. The
for improving performance. IDRC, 2002. session needs to be engaging, useful, serve a
greater purpose, and set our vision in the coming
Collins, Jim. Good to Great-Quickie Book year(s). After taking this class, I began adding
Summary. (Kindle Edition): Amazon, topics to the agenda for 2017-2018. I began
2012. thinking about creative ways I can generate idea
sharing amongst this group, to think about, and
assess the organization we work for. We all think
the organization is great, and running smooth,
but is it really?

The final project is a template we could actually

use at the organization I work for. It is a tool,
using the Baldrige Model that thoroughly
assesses an organization.

Our strategic planning session is in November,

and I fully plan to use at least some of, most of,
my culminating project as a template for
discussion.
OGL 360: Concepts: LPI 360 Analysis (Model the After my negative experience with group Assignment 6.0 – LPI
Assessment of Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge assignments from BIS 343 I was nervous about 360 Analysis: Five
Leadership the Process, Enable Others to Act, this class. However, much to my surprise this different people rated
Effectiveness Encourage the Heart) one went much better. For this class, I was my based on a survey,
Spring 2017 paired up with two peer coaches. Each week I this was a great way to
Textbooks: The Leadership Challenge, had to call these two peer coaches individually, see not only how I
5th edition (2012), by Kouzes and carry on a one-hour conversation, and learn viewed myself, but how
Posner from each other. The guidelines and objectives others viewed me as
for these calls were unclear, so I was hesitant at well.
The Leadership Challenge Workbook, first, but after two weeks these calls became
3rd edition (2012), by James Kouzes natural, and easy. Learning Plan – This
was a great recap of the
LPI Observer (Leadership Practices This assignment taught me a lot about myself. It class, but also the plan
Inventory, observer), 4th edition. taught me that I am good with people. The itself forced me to set
conversations were never awkward or goals for myself,
uncomfortable, because of me. It also taught me personally and
that sometimes getting an outsider’s view and professionally. This was
opinion on things is helpful and important. These a really impactful
two total strangers (the peer coaches) helped me assignment.
set goals for myself personally and
professionally, prior to not knowing anything
about me.

This class also taught me not to be so quick to

judge. At first I thought this class was going to be
horrible, and that these two younger gentlemen
were never going to teach me anything I did not
already know. Boy was I wrong! It was the
opposite in fact. Additionally, this class made me
excited for future group classes.

COM 430: Self-Assessment: Your best and worst This class was interesting because it was a large Group Project – Smart
Leadership in Leadership Moment group project. We were assigned groups, and Parking Solutions at ASU
Group had to work together to come up with a
Communication Self-Assessment: Willingness to campaign to launch a new, beneficial service at
Spring 2017 Communicate ASU with a $5,000 grant. We had to use a tool for
 our video meetings I had never heard of, or used
Self-Assessment: Leadership before called Google Hangout.
Communication Style Preference
This class taught me the value of being
Self-Assessment: Followership Style organized, and taking initiative when working in
Questionnaire a group. Our group communicated pretty well,
but it always took a few minutes on our meetings
Google Hangout Tool: Used to work on to get up and running. This proved to be quite
papers collaboratively with my group time consuming, so I proposed making a rule
that you had to be logged in, with the project up,
Textbook: Leadership: A Communication ready to talk at the meeting start time. I may not
Perspective, 6th edition by Michael Z. have been the most liked person for this, but in
Hackman & Craig E. Johnson the end it is what we needed. I took initiative,
and at the end of the class two of my group
members thanked me for it.

I learned that people have different

communication standards. My group members
would video chat while driving a car, making
dinner, with screaming children in the
background, and even at a loud Starbucks. To
me, this was unacceptable and rude. I went out
of my way to get a sitter for our video chats (they
were scheduled well in advance), and always
gave my group members my undivided attention.

In the end, I learned to adapt, and just do what

was best for me, the best that I could. I tried to
play the role of the leader and set standards, but
those were ignored. I ended up doing more than
my share of the final assignment because I cared
about my grade. This made me frustrated, but it
was out of my control.

For future group projects, academically,

personally, or professionally I will set the
standard up front. I will set my expectations, and
enforce them the best that I can. As a leader, I
 ensure any projects I am involved in that I give
my full attention, and do my part, because it is
not fair to others when there is a freeloader. It is
important that all stakeholders in a project are
on the same page, and are equally invested in the
outcome. This can at times be hard, but with
proper communication I believe it is possible,
and what I will strive for.

TWC 347: Textbook: Bovee, Courtland L. and Thill, This class used a lot of creativity, which I found Negative Letter – This
Written John V. Business Communication Today, fun. We needed to pretend to open up our own letter shows I have
Communication 13th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: business, and then had various assignments learned how to properly
for Managers (L) Prentice Hall. based on that business. At first, I thought this write and format a
Summer 2017 class was going to be challenging, berceuse it professional letter.
was so far fetched, but in the end I actually
enjoyed it. Additionally, it shows I
know how to address a
This class made me realize I know how to change less than ideal situation,
my tone, adapt my style, and address an in a professional
audience based on who they are, and the manner. It shows I am
message I am trying to convey. Professionally learning how to better
and personally, I am exposed to a lot of different manage conflict.
groups of people, and I have to be able to
effectively communicate with them. I am the 2016 Annual Report –
primary person at my work for sending emails or This report shows I
messages to all employees, so I need to know know how to
how to effectively write. communicate as a
business owner in a
This class reminded me the importance of professional manner,
knowing your audience, and knowing how to put knowing whom the
yourself in check when communicating with target audience is, and
them. Since this class, when I need to send an what information to
email to a specific group of people, looking for a include.
specific resolution, I will type it up, but then keep
it up on my computer for some time before I hit
send. After writing the message, I leave it and go
back with a fresh mindset, to make sure it makes
 sense, and my message is adequately addressed.
This has helped, and I have found that many
times I end up making changes to the original
message. It has been a great tool for sending
important messages effectively.

OGL 481: Pro-

Seminar I Textbook: Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. This Table – Used as a
Fall 2017 (2013). Reframing organizations: great tool and resource
Artistry, choice, and leadership to recap classes and my
(5th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass takeaway from each one.

OGL 482: Pro-

Seminar II
Fall 2017 – B
Table 2: Plus / Delta – Significant Learning Experiences – Structure and Transfer
Pick one of your most significant learning experiences from Table 1. Take some time to deeply reflect on the experience. Respond to the
following questions / sub-questions as explicitly as possible. Use your imagination and creativity here – this is really all about making
connections, and seeing what you can learn about your learning style (and yourself) from the experience!
Describe the task / assignment? What, specifically, did you
The assignment that had the most impact on me was in OGL 350 – Diversity in
learn? Organizations. We were tasked with attending a cultural event that is related
Be sure to address both declarative forms of knowledge to a culture or ethnic group different from our own. After attending, we had to
(things you learned – concepts, theories, ideas, models) as
write a two page reflection paper detailing a description of the event, what we
well as procedural forms of knowledge(things you learnedlearned about the culture from participation, and our reaction to the event. I
how to do – skills). attended an informative, interactive panel for “Raising Strong Black Men.”
Several African American community leaders were present and on the panel,
including the mayor of Grand Rapids, College Directors, well known television
personalities, and many more. The event was held at a city library, and the
audience was packed, with approximately 100 people attending. The objective
of this assignment was to assess and increase intercultural competencies and
awareness, gain insight into intercultural team development, and examine the
impact of culture on interpersonal and small group interaction. The event I
attended met all of these objectives, it opened my eyes to a lot, discrimination,
challenges, and struggles that I otherwise was oblivious to and taught me to be
more empathetic when dealing with different races.
Why is it important to you? Why is this important? Because it impacts my day to day life, my children’s
What connections can you make between this learning and lives, the people and environment around me, and so much more. After
other things you have learned (in school – and beyond)? attending this event, I vowed to be more open-minded and thoughtful. I have
What connections can you make between what you never been racist, or discriminatory, but I also never truly saw the differences
learned and your life roles and goals? beyond skin color. I never knew the different hardships African Americans,
especially in a predominantly white city, face. This class, and assignment
brought me that reality. After attending this event I told my husband I want to
attend more events like these. It was uncomfortable at first, just because it was
so out of my element, but in the end it was one of the best experiences of my
life. Additionally, I want my children to be aware of these differences, and
challenges, I want them to be more aware of diversity than I was/am.

One connection I made to this this assignment and the material in OGL 481 is
the piece on diversity in organizations. The organization I work for is
predominantly white. After attending this event I realized it is actually harder
for African Americans to succeed in our community. The statistics are quite
shocking. Many African Americans are raised in broken homes, with no
 positive role models. It made me realize that even though African America
applicants may be less qualified on paper, they may be better employees in the
end, because many of them are so appreciative of where they have been, the
opportunity, and their own pride, that they will do whatever they can to
succeed and be successful.
What worked for you? The assignment’s structure appealed to me because it was nothing like I had
In terms of process, was there something about the ever experienced before. It was hands-on, and outside the box. It really made
assignment structure that appealed to you? How did this me think not only about the assignment but also how I was going to tackle it. I
task / structure of this assignment differ from other like that it had guidelines, but also a lot of freedom. It was the most creative
assignments? Was it similar to other assignments / tasks assignment I have ever experienced. The hardest part for me was deciding
that were meaningful to me? What strategies, skills, what type of event I wanted to attend. It was during summer break for the
procedures proved effective in the completion of this local colleges, so there was not happening in that space, I was on my own to
assignment / task? Do you see any patterns or find something. I really wanted to attend a Spanish or Mexican event so my
connections in this regard to your preferred approach to son, who is in a Spanish immersion program could attend with me, I thought
learning – such as following an outline, keeping to he would think that was very cool. However, I had a really hard time finding
deadlines, other learning or study skills? something. I narrowed it down to the event I attended, and an LGBTQ event.
The LGBTQ event was more interactive, so I thought I may be more
uncomfortable, so I opted for the Raising Strong Black Men event. Going to the
event I was very nervous, mostly because I did not know what to expect, was I
going to be the only Caucasian in attendance? Much to my surprise I was not.

This assignment proved to be successful because it served its purpose, and

met the objectives. Additionally, it is something I will not soon forget, and
something I talked about to my friends and family. I generally like more
creative assignments, and this one topped them all. I like assignments that you
can relate to, and are applicable to your life, and this one was.
What can you transfer? I can apply this knowledge daily. I have a new found appreciation for African
Where can you apply / use these skills and knowledge? Americans, and a dear friend that is African American. What I can do that
How can you apply what worked for you (above) to other worked for me in the diversity class, is try to find real connections to the
learning goals or initiatives in your life? Can you connect assignments, completing them for future use or information, not just to pass
or adapt this knowledge / skill to other areas of your life? the class for my degree. Like anyone else, I do better in a class that I have more
What kinds of metaphorical connections can you make? steak in, and I have more steak in a class where I can actually use the material,
Can you connect something that was interesting or and learn something new.
important with respect to this knowledge / skill to
something that you are struggling with? The Brain in a Jar, one’s understanding depends solely on their subjective
feelings. We do not know what we do not know… This class brought me new
light, it made me not only learn something new, but also changed my
subjective feelings.
 As bad as it sounds, I have always been quick to pass judgment. This is very
hypocritical of me, because I was born with only one arm. So, for someone like
me, that looks different, to pass judgment on someone else because of the way
they look is absolutely ridiculous. I have been struggling in this area, and
continue to try to not pass judgment, because I know how it feels! This ties in
what I learned in this class, with race, discrimination, and minority treatment.
What evidence do you have? My word and experience is the only evidence I have, and that is detailed in the
Do you have a plan for communicating your learning to paper I wrote. One of my best friends is very culturally diverse, and expressed
others? Are there any tangible outcomes (and specific interest in attending these types of events with me. So, with her, I have more of
artifacts, in particular) that serve as evidence of this a drive to attend them in the future. Additionally, I have motivation to
knowledge / skill? communicate the concept to my children.

Assignment #1: Questions for Reflection

Prompt #1: Now that you have completed Assignment #1, what were the most important aspects of this assignment? What moved you the
most? Any surprises?

I actually found the most important aspect of this assignment was recapping my classes. It reminded me of what I have learned, and what goals I
made for myself. For example, in OGL 220, which seems like forever ago, I concentrated on my communication skills with my mother-in-law.
Recapping this, I had forgot that I had a goal to communicate better, and a plan of how I was going to achieve that goal. Reminded of those
pieces, I reinvented that goal, and this is really good timing as we are about to spend a week with them on vacation. There were not any
surprises necessarily, other than how much the one assignment in my culture class changed me. It really did have a life time impact on me, and
how I view people, my community, and the world, as a whole.

Prompt #2: What are your ideas in terms of how to best illustrate your growth and development over the course of your education and
experiences with the Organizational Leadership program? What are your best ideas with respect to specific artifacts / evidence that you
might present (within the context of an e-portfolio) as your consider your growth and development in the Organizational Leadership
Program?

If I look back on a paper I wrote at the beginning of my studies, and compare it to a paper I wrote today, that is clear evidence of how far I have
come. Not only have I been able to better connect to the materials, I have changed how I write, and my personal style. Additionally, in reading
through my artifacts/papers, there is a clear illustration of how I have connected the material to my professional life. I have grown as a leader,
and that is evident in my classwork, including discussion posts. I will showcase self-assessments to show my growth. This serves as evidence of
how I initially perceived my skills and abilities to how I did in later classes. I made stronger connections, and had a more accurate self-
assessment.