Leadership Class

Some of you probably wonder how I find the time to do so many things...the answer is: I don't sleep! If you were an insomniac; you, too, could overschedule your time, solve the world's problems in the wee hours of the morning, and work enough for two people. Doesn't that sound appealing?

Among other activities, I teach a leadership class at KU on Wednesday's. It's an undergraduate course in the Communication Studies department (my baccalaureate degree). This class is a prerequisite for the leadership minor. They have to successfully complete this course in order to apply for the minor. I taught this course last year and had a lot of fun. They asked me to come back. I decided to return once per year, just to have the experience, but (hopefully) not stress myself out.

I am a student of leadership. I read everything I can about it. Last semester I found teaching an interesting challenge; though I am familiar with the concepts, literature and strategies related to leadership, it is difficult to articulate to someone else. I can honestly tell you from experience, "Teaching is the greatest form of learning." If you want to truly learn something, try explaining it to someone else so they can understand. You'll be an expert before you're through!

Last year I taught a lesson on overcoming failure. In the same semester my divorce was final. In fact, it was a matter of days between the divorce and that lecture. I was face-to-face with the biggest failure of my life, and I was challenging my students to not let failure define or defeat them. The lecture was as much for me as it was for my students. As I developed the lecture on overcoming failure I was formulating a strategy for turning personal disappointment into a growth experience, rather than a defining moment.

Today I had a similar experience. I am faced with some difficult life choices. I haven't made a decision which way to go. The lesson today was on ambition and opportunity. Very appropriate in framing my current decision.

POINT ONE: Timing is everything
bad idea + bad timing = disaster
good idea + bad timing = failure
good idea + good timing = success

The question is no longer "should I?" or "could I?" - these are impossible to answer. The question is: Is this the right time? That is still to be determined. I'm in negotiations with the NGO. My hope would be to go to school AND act as the Executive Director on a part-time basis, for a decent salary, of course. Sound impossible? So far they are willing to work with me on my terms. The board was meeting tonight and I should hear something from them soon. I'll keep you posted.

I hope you enjoyed the free mini-lecture on leadership and opporutnity. Smile!