Megan Holzmeister

LDST 535 Portfolio Reflection

4/22/20

I enjoyed creating my leadership portfolio, it allowed me time to reflect on some of the

assignments and work that were essential to my adaptive leadership journey. I am sure that I

have several other pieces of work that I could have included, but unfortunately due to technical

issues, I no longer have access to them. Regardless, I was able to showcase some of the essays

and creative works that I still remember fondly. As a journalism major, creativity and writing is

so important in my life, which is why I included numerous written and artistic assignments.

When I think about the process of leadership, I think about how I saw the skills we were

learning in the classroom carry over to my personal and professional life. To me, the assignments

that I chose to include were depictions of my development over the past two years. My MVV

assignment helped me to discover a deeper side of my inner self. It encouraged me to identify

basic elements that I felt represented my journey. Constantly having to modify the various

toolkits challenged me to always strive to be better. I had to acknowledge my strengths,

weaknesses and triggers in order to truly uncover my values. Being able to manage self is so

incredibly important to the adaptive leadership process, I believe my MVV helped me reach a

comfortable level.

I felt like the final essay I wrote for the LDST 532 Practicum class last semester had a ton

of influence on how I view leadership. For the first time I was able to see that I was practicing

adaptive leadership without even knowing it, which was a sign that I was learning and absorbing

the material. I knew I was practicing it because I saw how easily I was able to complete my 75+
activity hours. I genuinely enjoyed working within different systems and making a positive

impact on the people around me. In the past I would associate the term leadership with work, but

now I understand it can come naturally. Additionally, I believe that the peer consultation process

challenged me in the way that I work with others. It forced me to not only open up to people who

don’t know me that well, but also to be a better a listener. Adaptive leadership is about observing,

interpreting and intervening. We did this for our peers as they indulged personal challenges that

they were encountering and we provided advice on potential solutions. As I go forward in my

life, I will remember this process and keep it in mind as I work with others. Perspective is key in

solving adaptive challenges and sometimes it requires outside guidance and a trip to the balcony.

Something that I want to remember from the material that I included in my portfolio is

how much I am capable of. When I began my adaptive leadership journey, I lacked confidence in

my abilities. After this journey I feel comfortable with my understanding of self and others. I

believe that I have the skills to tackle any challenge that is thrown my way. To me, leadership is

so much more than any physical thing. I believe it is demonstrated in how I respond to adversity

and when working with others. From improving my abilities as an engaged member of a system,

interpreting the KLC Competencies, understanding the value of perspective along with all of the

other teachings that Heifetz, Linsky and Grashow gave us, I feel these assignments demonstrate

where I have come and where I have yet to go. In the future I want to tell others that anybody

can engage in the process of adaptive leadership. I’ll explain the difference between technical

problems and adaptive challenges, as well as the importance of owning your piece of the mess.

Adaptive leadership is a great skill to have and one I will take with me as I go forward in my life.

Right now, I present my current portfolio, but it will continue to evolve throughout the future.