Discussion 1: Leadership Approach
Find a current business event from the Wall Street Journal that represents a leadership challenge. Now, imagine you have been asked to step into the leadership role to manage the challenge.
Discuss the steps you would take in the first 90 days of your leadership. Explain your approach by applying learning from the lectures, videos, and readings this week, as well as any relevant concepts from earlier in the course.
Discussion 2: Reflecting on Your Experience
Review all of your previous Learning Journal entries (from Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8). Then answer at least three of the following questions:
• Share your best story of a time you applied something you learned in this course at work. What happened? What did you learn?
• How have you grown as a leader during this term?
• What aspect of your leadership style do you see as an area of improvement? Why?
• If someone asked you in an elevator to tell them what leadership is and you only had thirty seconds to answer, what would you say?
Discussion 3: Presentation Preparation
You are ready to give your presentation and feel confident about your topic. However, as you read this week, some people fear public speaking more than death! There are techniques you can employ to remain confident and to have clear, concise, and impactful communication.
How will you keep your nerves calm? How will you make sure you cover each point you want to make? How will you use effective hand gestures, exert the right tone, and speak with confidence? To avoid getting too nervous or losing your train of thought, choose a strategy from Chapter 7 of Guide to Managerial Communication or Chapter 6 of Talk Like Ted that you will use to help get you back on track and discuss why you chose that strategy.
Discussion 4: Executive Presence and Communication Skills
Reflect on how your Executive Presence and communication skills have grown this term. Use the prompts below to organize your thoughts:
• Reflecting on your first video in the course, what changes did you make, to improve your Executive Presence?
• What have you learned this term about how you communicate in the workplace? Include both positive and negative aspects of your communication style.
• In what ways have you improved your communication skills during this term?
• What will you do going forward, to continue to improve your communication skills and Executive Presence?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.