Week 11: Leadership

Learning Objectives

• TBA

IntroDuction

• TBA

Readings / activities

• TBA

VIDEOS, tutorials & class recordings

• TBA

Assignments

Learning Objectives

• Learn tips for effective communication within a mentoring relationship 
• Develop strategies for addressing negative interactions within your mentor-mentee relationship

IntroDuction

Research indicates effective communication significantly influences mentoring and team performance (Kriek, 2019). Successful leaders, including mentees and mentors, are able to convey respect, consistency, trust, and empathy in order to develop successful working relationships.  If you think back upon your most successful mentoring relationships, from elementary school through today, you can probably recall specific communication skills mentors demonstrated that influenced your motivation, and even your career goals. This week's resource will provide you with tips for effective communication in mentoring relationships as well as strategies for navigating those stickier moments when conflict arises. 

Readings / activities

• Read the following Infographic on Mentee Effective Communication
  Mentee Communication_IGE_Lean Canvas.pdf Download Mentee Communication_IGE_Lean Canvas.pdf 

VIDEOS, tutorials & class recordings  

The following podcasts provide helpful strategies on how to navigate difficult mentoring experiences. Listen to both so you are able to recognize 

• Podcast: Negative Experiences in Mentoring - The Impact (Part 1) - Link Links to an external site.
• Podcast: Negative Experiences in Mentoring - The Response (Part 2) - Link Links to an external site.

OverView of Assignments

The pre-class and post-class readings and podcasts are designed to help you complete the Communicating Assertively (CD17) and Difficult Conversations (CD18) assignments. 

Learning Objectives

• Implement active listening strategies 
• Describe the importance of emotional intelligence
• Recognize, understand, and manage emotions in yourself and others
• Practice using assertive language by creating "I" messages
• Apply the steps to conflict resolution

IntroDuction

This week our leadership modules will focus on active listening, emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and conflict resolution.  Of course you probably know a fair deal about these skills already. What I hope to do is help you reflect on them in a new way and think about these skills as you work with others. I've integrated content from the counseling and business worlds; in one of our upcoming Wednesday afternoon online discussions we'll talk about how they apply specifically to Electrical Engineering.

Active Listening

Strange as it may seem, one of the best ways to become a good leader isn't to speak; it's to listen...

Leading Effectively Article: "What is Active Listening? Links to an external site."

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to understand and manage your own emotions as well as recognize and influence the emotions of those around you. Did you know emotional intelligence accounts for nearly 90% of what sets high performers apart from peers with similar technical skills and knowledge? 

More than a decade ago, psychologist Daniel Goleman highlighted the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership saying, "The most effective leaders are all alike in one crucial way: They all have a high degree of what has come to be known as emotional intelligence."

Article: "Why Emotional Intelligence is Important in Leadership Links to an external site."

Assertiveness

Being assertive means stating your thoughts, feelings, and opinions and advocating for yourself without disrespecting other people or their views.  Although being assertive can feel intimidating, it's good for your career, your mental health, and your relationships. 

Assertiveness in leadership is crucial (Folkman, 2013). 

• Leaders with good judgment but who lack assertiveness are seen as ineffective.
• Leaders who lack good judgment but are high in assertiveness are rated as better leaders.
• The best leaders are assertive and have good judgment. 

On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being high), how assertive are you at school? at work? at home?

Conflict Resolution

In our culture, we reflexively tend to think of the term "conflict" in the negative. In some cases, it may scare us or cause us anxiety. When we discuss conflict, we speak of it as diminishing a group or team's productivity, or as an ill that compounds the difficulties of a job. We see conflict as the byproduct of a "squeaky wheel" or blame it on that one person who is "going against the grain." Resolving conflict is not about eliminating conflict; it's about letting all voices be heard and stimulating progress in ways harmony or "group think" cannot. 

Readings

• Read, "Becoming an Active Listener Download Becoming an Active Listener" (2 pages)
• Read, "Using Emotional Intelligence Download Using Emotional Intelligence" (3 pages)
• Read, "Asserting Yourself More Effectively Download Asserting Yourself More Effectively" (4 pages)
• Read, "How to Construct an "I" Statement Download How to Construct an "I" Statement" (1 page)
• Read, "Steps to Conflict Resolution Download Steps to Conflict Resolution" (1 page)

ASSIGNMENTS

• Complete, "Communicating Assertively (CD17)" assignment
• Complete, "Difficult Conversation Scenario (CD18)" assignment

Post-week Assignment 

• Reflect on your leadership skills in active listening, emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and conflict resolution. What are your strengths?  What are your growth edges?  Set a SMART goal for your growth in leadership - one thing that you can accomplish between now and the end of the semester with respect to implementing or practicing one of these skills.