- How have the workshops and discussions on leadership this week changed your understanding of what leadership means?
Through the different activities and diagnostics we were given, I now have a better grasp on how to enter new spaces in a way that ensures my leadership style can effectively move a team forward or advance a project. By being introduced to a variety of leadership styles, not just the ones most relevant to myself, I’ll also be better equipped to understand how others work best, and how we might work best together. I think leadership is something adaptable and ever-changing, and I look forward to seeing how my own style develops in the future as I take on different roles.
- How might you imagine applying one of the four ways of leading during your summer on campus?
Out of the four ways of leading, the one that most applies to me and my intended project is leading from within. During a discussion with my professor today about the direction of my project, he emphasized how much I could expand it in any way I saw fit. While I originally wanted to start with a smaller literature review, my professor pushed me to think about broader timelines and the extent of the support I’ve received from the Laidlaw Foundation to truly pursue what I want. With this realization, I’ve decided to include a photography supplement to my project. This addition means I’ll need to motivate myself even more to consistently return to NYC’s Chinatown / Little Fuzhou to take photos once or twice a week. This will require leading and motivating myself, which I hope will better prepare me to adopt one of the other leadership styles (from behind, beside, or in front) for future projects.
- What is everyone most excited about engaging in as part of their summer research project?
As described above, my new photography project! Besides that, I just picked up some of the works I plan to base my research on at the library today, so I’m excited to spend this summer diving into the different narratives these texts present and really engaging with them.