Learning Journals: Learners Are A Way For Students To Synthe

Learning Journalslearners Are A Way For Students To Synthesiz

Learning Journals Learning Journals are a way for students to synthesize the assigned course readings with critical observations and evaluation. It provides a way to reflect on the most meaningful ideas read that week with one’s own experiences and learning to date. A learning journal is both reflective in that it allows the reader to personally think through the material as well as integrative, in that it asks the reader to demonstrate an understanding of the material assigned, not just repeating back what the authors’ wrote. Each Learning Journals has specific readings assigned as well as a specific format designed to engage you, the learner, with creative forms of representing your ideas. Please review each week’s specific content and format carefully as you craft your Learning Journal.

The length of the journal varies from a minimum of 1 written page (single-spaced) up to 5 pages. There is a lot of flexibility to be creative in your journals as well. You can create graphics and include images, videos, music, creative fonts, textboxes, clip art, photos...whatever connects you and the ideas with the specific week’s themes. While a title page is not necessary, in-text citations and a reference page are required in your journal entries. Please use APA 7th edition style for the citations and references.

The integrative component of these activities requires you to reflect on specific content, so it is important to refer to specific quotes, page numbers, author’s etc. to demonstrate such connections. Learning Journal #4 due Monday, November 8, 2021 Part of this week’s course learning was screening the film, Saving Mr. Banks (2013). Both the guided reflection and the Case Study paper assigned this week invites you to think more deeply and critically on the powerful themes throughout the movie – empathy, forgiveness, patience, deep listening among others. The week’s learning journal invites you to consider the film and the assigned readings through a lens of “change”.

How has your thinking changed so far in this course? How and why did you see change in some of the characters of the film? How might you want to change your thinking or actions in your leadership based on what you have observed and read so far? CONTENT: Read the Following: 1. Review all lecture material and your lecture notes from Units 7 & 8. 2. Review the material suggested in Servant Leadership Portfolio #4. 3. Lead Like Jesus (2016) by Ken Blanchard, Phil Hodges, and Phyllis Hendry a. Part V: Chapters 21-24; Part VII: Next Steps to Leading like Jesus Chapters 31 & 32 and checklists 4. Jesus on Leadership (1998) by C. Gene Wilkes a. Principle #5: Take Up the Towel & Principle #6: Share Responsibility & Authority 5. Blog Post. The King who led with a towel. Retrieved from model/ FORMAT: Write the following: “A Change Journal” This week’s journal invites you to think about change. How has your thinking changed so far in this course? How and why did you see change in some of the characters of the film? How might you want to change your thinking or actions in your leadership (both inner leadership and outer leadership) based on what you have observed and read so far? How did Jesus lead that invited people to change?

Paper For Above instruction

The process of personal and professional growth within leadership disciplines often involves critical reflection on experiences, texts, and visual media that challenge current perceptions and encourage transformative change. This learning journal exemplifies this reflective process, drawing from the course material, a feature film, and scriptural insights to explore how perceptions of leadership evolve and how personal leadership practices can be refined through understanding key virtues such as empathy, patience, forgiveness, and servant leadership.

Initially, my understanding of leadership was largely rooted in traditional authoritative models emphasizing control, decision-making, and hierarchical structure. However, through the coursework, including the review of Blanchard’s "Lead Like Jesus" and Wilkes’s "Jesus on Leadership," my perspective shifted towards a more service-oriented approach that emphasizes humility, shared responsibility, and relational influence. For instance, Blanchard’s concept of "servant leadership" underscores leading by serving others and prioritizing their needs, a stark contrast to conventional authoritative paradigms (Blanchard, Hodges, & Hendry, 2016).

The film "Saving Mr. Banks" (2013) provided a vivid context to observe transformational leadership qualities and the profound impact of empathy and patience. The character of Mrs. Travers exemplified resistance to change and control, motivated by past trauma and unmet needs, which hindered receptivity to new ideas. Conversely, the character of Walt Disney, embodying patience and deep listening, models the transformational leadership qualities that promote trust and openness. Reflecting on their interactions, I recognized how empathy and patience can facilitate change—both in characters and in oneself. This understanding resonates with Blanchard’s emphasis on leading with humility and compassion (Blanchard et al., 2016).

My reflection also revealed that change within individuals, especially leaders, begins internally. Jesus’s leadership, as described by Wilkes (1998), exemplifies the power of humility, sharing responsibility, and serving others. His method of washing the disciples’ feet illustrates taking up the towel, symbolizing servant leadership and promoting a culture of responsibility sharing and mutual respect. This approach invites others to emulate humility and service as means of inspiring change and fostering community (Wilkes, 1998).

Additionally, my personal leadership actions are influenced by these insights. Recognizing the importance of cultivating humility and empathy, I aim to incorporate active listening and service into my leadership practice, fostering a more inclusive environment. I understand that change, both internal and external, requires intentional effort and consistent reflection. Journaling about these experiences helps to embed behaviors aligned with servant leadership principles and biblical models of humility and service.

Moreover, the course materials and film have prompted me to consider how I can inspire change by embodying authenticity, patience, and forgiveness, similar to the character of Walt Disney’s persistent yet compassionate leadership. In my inner leadership, I am committed to developing qualities of self-awareness, patience, and humility, recognizing that true influence comes through serving others, not asserting control. Outer leadership will involve demonstrating these virtues consistently, fostering trust and collaboration among team members.

Looking ahead, I aspire to emulate Jesus’s leadership style by actively practicing humility and serving others, creating an environment where change is encouraged through trust, patience, and empathetic listening. This transformation begins with internal reflection and extends outward through intentional actions rooted in servant leadership principles. Personal growth, I believe, is a continuous journey driven by reflection, observation, and a desire to serve others wholeheartedly, aligning with both contemporary leadership principles and biblical teachings.

References

• Blanchard, K., Hodges, P., & Hendry, P. (2016). Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the greatest leadership role model of all time. Tyndale House Publishers.
• Wilkes, C. G. (1998). Jesus on Leadership: Timeless lessons for the modern leader. Crossway.
• Goleman, D. (2000). Leadership that gets results. Harvard Business Review.
• Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.
• Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
• Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Pearson.
• Schein, E. H. (2010). Organizational culture and leadership (4th ed.). Jossey-Bass.
• Northouse, P. G. (2018). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
• Sergiovanni, T. J. (2009). The principles of shared leadership. Educational Leadership, 66(1), 12-17.