Poems and thoughts: creative honours course 'A Taste of Leadership' leaves you wanting more
What do you derive your self-esteem from? Not a question you would quickly expect in a course on leadership. Lecturer Michel Don Michaloliákos opted for a unique approach to 'A Taste of Leadership', an Honours course with introspection as its core theme.
'I wanted to create something special and educational, both in terms of content and assessment. The experimental education of Honours courses is perfect for this,' says Michaloliákos. Third-year Public Administration students talked with other students about their feelings, went out on a challenge, and wrote poems.
'I have often noticed in (scientific) literature that there is a great focus on the what and how of leadership, while the why of certain leadership behaviours receives little attention. And this why might be the most interesting aspect, especially for students on the brink of their careers.'
Which rejection do you fear the most?
With this knowledge, 'A Taste of Leadership' is prepared with the ingredients of the three I's: introspection, influence, and incorporation. In the introspection phase, three central questions are explored: What do you derive your self-esteem from? Which (self-)rejection do you fear the most? And what is the greatest struggle manifesting within you?
Michaloliákos admits to being quite tense about the introspective part. 'It is very confronting, and as a lecturer, you have to clearly explain why it is relevant to leadership. Poems, in their form and content, force students to express themselves differently and to look at themselves in new ways, reading between the lines of their self-awareness. It resulted in compelling, sharp, and sometimes disarming stories.'
'It resulted in captivating, sharp, and sometimes disarming stories.'
‘Mooi moment voor dit vak’
Student Jorrit Koster expresses that he finds it very valuable to reflect on yourself as a leader at the end of the course—after three years of extensive learning. 'The importance of introspection in leadership was new to me. Who are you, what motivates you, what team role do you take on and why? These aspects naturally depend on what motivates you, what your fears are, and where your strengths lie.'
'You might gain new insights into what kind of leader you are, rearranging the puzzle pieces in a new way. That’s what I experienced the most. I can recommend it to others, but you should only do it if you’re willing to go through that process. It requires commitment and a willingness to learn differently. That’s also what Honours is about: enriching regular education.'
Student Alice Zanoli: 'We learned that leadership is a multifaceted concept and that the type of leader you are depends on many things such as how people perceive you, the confidence you have in yourself, the field where you are working and your personality. Beside the interesting multidisciplinary content of the course, the methods of learning are the ones who taught me the most. I really enjoyed the podcast and the poem that gave us the opportunity to openly reflect and discuss serious topics in a more personal way, either individually or in groups. The whole course stimulated our creativity and taught us how to think about ourselves and others in a deeper way. This is a life skill that is often overlooked but that is essential to build strong relationships with colleagues, friends and anyone we meet... but also to really get to know ourselves!'
The students have been actively engaged
Podcasts on scientific literature, effective leadership and a completely open-ended challenge on the impact of a social transition on leadership: the students have been actively engaged. This is in addition to lectures on topics such as group dynamics, cross-cultural leadership, and conflict management, as well as guest lectures from figures like Cicero and leaders from Defence and the Netherlands Court of Audit.
'A magazine, game, and documentary were among the impressive final outcomes.'
Lecturer Michaloliákos stated, 'For the challenge, students visited sports clubs, mayors, religious institutions, politicians, and businesses. A magazine, game, and documentary were among the impressive final outcomes." The lecturer noted that it wasn't surprising that students found the course demanding. "But I'm truly pleased that it was well-received—especially the introspective component, interactive lectures, and unique assessment approach. A Taste of Leadership, in my opinion, leaves you wanting more.'
Text: Magali van Wieren
A poem by student Alice Zanoli: 'My own source of strength'
A little girl,
lots of passions, ambitions and dreams.
Slowly growing,
mum and dad fear my curiosity.
But I grow up,
I am determined,
they trust me, support me.
The world is mine!
I can leave!
An ocean between me and home,
colors and cultures,
languages I have never heard.
diversity,
beauty,
inequality,
violence.
but the children are smiling!
A broken toy,
A new learned word.
Have I found my place in the world?
Is this what I want to do?
I can help them!
I am good at this!
I will change their life!
I feel powerful through their smiles.
I get my strengths through their joy.
I am proud of myself.
New year’s eve.
Here, so far from home,
I have so many hopes for the future.
I share a glass with a friend,
I share my happiness with her.
I am happy and I feel that I am doing great.
I am on the right path.
I think I might really know myself better…
…and suddenly here I am.
Around me only dark,
hands that don’t belong there take my skin.
With every tear that cross my cheeks
I am losing a piece of myself.
You don’t listen.
My voice is silent.
I am powerless.
Sei solo un uomo.
Eres solo un hombre.
Du bist nur ein Mann.
You are just a man.
I am a prey of your deceit.
And as the new year starts,
I’m stuck on the day I lost myself.
Men remind me of you,
For every compliment a man gives
I feel your voice.
I struggle to trust.
To trust them,
their wise advice,
their loving words,
their kindness.
I struggle to believe in myself again.
Every goal I achieve brings no pride.
Every smile brings no joy.
My voice is silent.
I am powerless.
It’s a journey on a rollercoaster.
It goes up and down.
Years go on but you keep coming back.
I grow stronger and colder,
I’m learning to love myself again.
My feelings are the only ones I trust.
I learned to trust other men.
Sometimes I have even learned to love them.
Mum and dad still support and trust me.
I still share my happiness with my friends.
But in the end, I’m my own source of strength.
Podcast: A Taste of Scientific Leadership
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