This class was one of the most influential classes on my leadership.  Not only did I enjoy the textbook, It's Your Ship but I enjoyed the discussions and the assignments really changed how I look at myself.  I will be honest that the professor was so very helpful and made such an impact in my life.  Professor Adams became my favorite professor because he really made learning fun and taught this topic in such a way that you really understood the material.   I so admire Captain Abrashoff (the author of the textbook).  His book is amazing and he really showed you what it takes to be a leader.  Leadership is just a title if you are not helping others around you or that report to you become a leader themselves.  The course also continued the conversation about Immunity to Change and how it affects Organizational Productivity.  Our group's video provides details about this aspect of the course. 

     Prior to taking this course, I had never heard the term of transcendent leadership or resonant leadership.  I definitely learned that leadership goes beyond one's area of expertise or ability to assign tasks.  True leaders lead with emotional and social intelligence in addition to the systems within their organization.  Leadership is about relationship building and motivating your employees.  When people are motivated, they want to do more and will perform better (Abrashoff, 2008).  Captain Abrashoff's book will forever be in my library.  His topics that he covers transcends to any and every industry.  He talked about how he sat down and met with each of the sailors on his ship and got to know them and learn their talents.  Earning your team's trust is important in leadership.  People will support their leader if they trust their leader and know that the leader will support them and has their best interests at heart.   Abrashoff showed how leaders can learn a lot by talking to their people and asking them how they can do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.  He also emphasized the importance of really listening to people.  People talk all the time but are we really listening to what they have to say?  I was also impressed about the chapter that discussed being willing to take risks.  Leaders are not perfect and they will make mistakes often.  Leaders should look at mistakes as a learning opportunity.  There wasn't one chapter in this book that I did not love and learn something from.  This really helped transform me as a leader.     

    Professor Adams really impacted my life in this class.  He had a private conversation with me after class that really made me think.   He allowed me to see myself as others were seeing me.  I was going through a transition in my life where everything about me was negative.  The way I viewed myself, my abilities, my job and etc.  He took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me to help me see that I was already a good leader but I needed to change my attitude and needed to make some changes.  His message was powerful and I so appreciate his honesty because it really turned my life around.  Since our conversation, I have made a drastic change and I'm still making progress.  Below you will find several artifacts or this class.  I could not choose just one.  My Guided Journals show the gradual change in my life and I can't thank Professor Adams enough for the awesome experience in this class.