Personal Leadership

Over this past weekend, I was in a hotel, North of the Manhattan, with about 40 students for the class named "Personal Leadership and Success".  Finding the word "leadership", people would easily imagine leaderships for organizations but the class is different. 

The course is focusing on leading "yourself".

I took the class for several reasons. First, with full time recruiting process right around the corner, I need to ponder over my life, career, family etc. Of course, on the leave of absence, I will go back to the company. But, without seriously considering my future, it could be very costly and wasting great opportunities. Second, I am strongly feeling that I have some areas I need to improve. I wanted to find clues to overcome those weaknesses. Also, this class is one of classes many second year students recommended and some of them mentioned taking the class was a life changing experience. Lastly, I just wanted to add some "softness" to my classes I am taking this summer semester.

As is often the case with any of classes relating personal journey, self reflection, goal setting etc, this class doesn't tell me my goal or purpose of my life. And, to be honest, some tools introduced by the professor is by and large tactical rather than strategic such as meditation, inner/outer score cards. However, this class has been really valuable. For the class, we were encouraged to read biographies of great achievers such as Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Warren Buffet, Steve Jobs etc. I regret not reading biographies of great people when I was little since there are so many things I can learn. One of great things reading biographies is its multi-perspectives. What I mean by "multi-perspectives" is that biographies tell story of those people through regardless of good or bad stories. Especially impressing were Churchill and Lincoln. They struggled with depression - I didn't know the fact but after I finish reading them, I just felt encouraged, energized and inspired. And another great thing is group setting. Well, I could expand my network if I took the class not in the summer but in the fall since in the summer most of students are J-termers most of whom I already know. I found sharing the time with my friends created better environment to share thoughts, experience, visions, passions, griefs and joys. I really appreciate the professor for giving us such a great opportunity.