Stuck at home but still on my way

COVID-19 has certainly changed the regular day-to-day hussle and bussle for many of us, some in more ways than others. While many activities have completely stopped there are those that are moving faster than ever. May the 16th was certainly no exception to that rule. I applied and was accepted to be a face-to- face learner in the VCU Educational Leadership Ed.D program. The virus however had other plans and VCU quickly adapted making orientation on May 16 delivered online and my first semester of doctoral school.

Team working and problem solving in an online environment could potentially present it's problems, but can also lead to some tactful skills as a leader. During discussions it is important to consider the group dynamics by ensuring to not only hear all voices, but also listening intently for the message or story they are trying to tell. It's easy to mask engagement in an online discussion by tending to the ends and outs of the conversation. Most can bypass this notion by making a deeper intimate connection to the conversation or people of which they speaking with.

In my case, during our discussion the deeper connection to conversation was already there in the sense that everyone engaged in it was clearly there because they want to help students and further education. However, I did find it very hard for me to voice my thoughts to my peers. Call it nervous energy if you'd like, but I see it as a lack of confidence. I was last to speak, but first to listen. Our team took the time to ensure that everyone first has the opportunity to speak on their thoughts. I actually loved this, despite my lack of confidence in myself! Because not only did we speak on the order in which we would address the issues presented to us, but we spoke deeper into why we chose that order. As each spoke deeper into their why it was the first glance and really snapshot into what type of leadership lens they had.

I know what your thinking... Cool. Right?

Protocol wise we took the approach of letting each speak without any interruption until every one spoke. We then decided to reflect on the thoughts of our peers. For the most part the majority of my group seemed to agree and take a similar approach. I however took a different approach really focusing on one aspect that stuck out to me that could change the course of my decision making. This is what made me a just wee bit nervous to speak. In fact, after I spoke I was quietly reprimanding myself for what I said. I even doodled on my notes paper I had UGH in big bold letters. My reflection on the problem were were set to solve actually tuned out to be a good thing because during our round of group reflecting many said they had not thought in that lens. They found my view and thoughts to now shift their thinking on how we could approach our developing plan. We had a main speaker at the time to then summarize our thoughts into one, while I assumed a role of a curator. I group was able to reach a similar consensus in that for the majority we all seemed to have the same thought process.

In the end we developed a plan surrounded by a robust conversation and ensuring everyone's voice was intently heard. Our interpersonal interactions and communication came easy once dialogue began to flow. One could only guess that perhaps the others were a bit timid as myself at first. By the end I felt really gracious to be surround by such esteemed colleagues and really enamored in wanting to continue having more dialogue and growth through this program. It certainly is a great start to the journey into who I will soon to be, Dr. White.

So, while we may be stuck at home.. I am still on my way.

K,White.