Reimagining the Values and Virtues of Leadership for Teaching in Changing Times

• In Event: Leadership Education Reimagined: Becoming Creative in Curriculum Development

Short Description

Can teaching classic leadership virtues alongside contemporary approaches provide an updated framework for today's students? This revitalized leadership education curriculum blends the classics with culturally relevant and agile approaches for teaching students in our changing world.

Detailed Abstract

Teaching the virtues of good leadership has been a foundation of education for centuries. Grounded in the writings of Aristotle, Confucius, and Machiavelli, students have been introduced to classic texts that have advanced the widely-held virtues of leadership that we hold today. From magnanimity and humility to prudence and courage, these have provided a necessary bedrock of understanding leadership historically, but could leadership educators reimagine this for our new time? With the turbulent realities that we find ourselves in today, the need for culturally relevant and agile approaches to leadership are critical for the new crises evident across the globe. Teaching from these classic virtues alongside new leadership values provides an updated framework for educating students.

This proposed session will provide a brief historical review of the leadership education literature, followed by a presentation of modern values and virtues to consider alongside recent case studies in media and the news. The goal of this proposed session is to acknowledge the considerable literature on leadership values and virtues, while fostering discussion with colleagues and questioning necessary traits that are essential for student success today.

What are the most effective modern portrayals of the classic values and virtues that we've taught for so long?

How do we effectively educate students on good change leadership in these turbulent times?

Are there ways to best teach our students agility in leadership?

How does the turbulence in society impact the study of leadership in a classroom?

What steps can we take as leadership educators to equip students with the cultural awareness needed amidst diverse contexts?

This reimagined curriculum is currently being taught in an undergraduate Leadership Minor program, providing a blended approach in this area of leadership education. Alongside the classic leadership thinkers, students consider the work of Brooks, Gladwell, King and others as they prepare their own philosophy of good leadership. Considering this interdisciplinary framework has brought together the fields of biology, psychology and social work through examining the research and works of Brene Brown, Carol Dweck, and Simon Sinek. Havard's model of virtuous leadership will provide the session with a structure for considering a new approach to educating. This session will conclude with a facilitated discussion for leadership educators who are teaching in these changing times.

Participant

• Andrew Henck, Azusa Pacific University