On Learning...and Leading

For some reason, I've become introspective this week, as I come to the end of my undergraduate college experience- a process that was deliberately truncated because of a deep and pressing desire to get out into the "real world," and as the realities of my organizational leadership position become defined. I've been thinking a lot about learning- comparing how I know (or how I think I know) I learn best versus what I've been or are currently being taught in a classroom and versus the work that I'm doing or have done outside of campus.

Here's an example that really struck me. I made a point this weekend to get caught up on school work and even ventured over to the University Library so I would be in an appropriate academic setting. For one class, Marketing and Business for Communications, the assignment was to read four short articles and write a one-page essay on "which one was the most enjoyable." I became immensely frustrated and instead started including some analytical details in my piece- because I considered it a complete waste of my time, busy-work if you will, to write about "feelings" after reading four articles. Don't get me wrong: I'll be the first to tell you that reflection is important, but it has to be guided and structured in a more appropriate way- a point that obviously must have been lost on this professor.

Meanwhile, in my day job, I am gearing up for the final push in the monthlong Pepsi Refresh Challenge. myImpact.org continues to hold a strong 3rd place lead. Although the campaigning is vitally important and enjoyable despite being tedious at times- the most important part of this monthlong contest, I am learning, is the opportunity that comes with it to make the case for myImpact- introduce what it is that I am working to advance- and gain additional support. It comes at a perfect opportunity in our organization lifecycle- as we take the jump from unofficial to official and as I assume unilateral control of the day-to-day responsibilities. I only wish that there were more hours in the day, but at this point I'm working to leverage this contest for all that it can be worth.

Where am I learning more? Where can I contribute more? Although I pulled an example from a single class this semester (I am in some other great ones that I feel are the best offered at the University), it reaffirms the decision that I made a year ago to graduate in 3 years instead of 4 and to continue learning what I think is the more difficult route- personal and professional leadership.