Due Thursday

Write a 250- to 300-word response to the following:

What makes you passionate about your workplace or the work you do? How can you use your passion to
drive organizational performance to solve organizational problems?

Hello Professor and Class,

Greetings,

My apologies I am getting a late start with class this week. However, I am excited to continue this
lifelong journey of reshaping my focus and enhancing my learning experience with the intentions of
gathering information and research to achieve yet another educational goal. One of the intriguing
concepts I think will continue to evolve in reference to leadership is the study of human problem solving
and thought processes that are applied to difficult problem sets. I credit my experiences in the military
and now my current occupation for the leadership styles I have utilized successfully, and that have
paved the way for a desire to help drive the research and applicability in today’s problems in my
industry. I hope to gain insight and understanding on leadership models and specificity in applications as
well. I hope to increase my knowledge base in leadership and learn the different historical examples that
leadership models have been utilized successfully and unsuccessfully.

The strategies I employ to be successful in my schoolwork is time management. I think with the UOPX
the syllabus is present so I understand it begins with a desire to know what the next week’s challenge
will be and to schedule my week accordingly to allow myself the time to interpret the chapter readings
and thought process necessary to meet the level of requirements for the week of learning. Time
management, meditation, and I listen to jazz music when I am trying to understand conceptual
structures, and comprehension. It helps with my energy and motivation to continue and drive myself
towards my weekly goals. It is also a added incentive because I am a big fan of Coltrane, and the Jazz
culture.

Education is a priority due to the history of my family. My grandparents are from the Delta south where
education was not a opportunity for them. As a kid I heard the stories and listened closely when I would
hear the barriers that was placed before them in every facet of life. My Dad always planted the seed for
being a lifelong learner and as I now have my own family, I continue the tradition. I take what I have
learned from my own family tree and reproduce lifelong learners in my own family. That is my
responsibility as a member in my bloodline to continue the dreams and wishes of those before me.
Education is a priority simply because its permanent, it is also the launchpad to something greater, and
evolution. I think education is opportunity and it provides undeniable results that can benefit an
individual, team, or organization. Education has been a centerpiece in my life for over 20 years in the
military, as well as my educational journey in my field of Technology, and as a government consultant.
Write a 250- to 300-word response to the following:

What makes you passionate about your workplace or the work you do? How can you use your passion to
drive organizational performance to solve organizational problems?

I served over 20 years in the United States Army, working as a Warrant Officer, solving some of the
branch’s most complex problems and analyzing a great deal of data to be used for planning, operations,
and decision making at all levels. Some of my experience results from five combat deployments to Iraq
and Afghanistan. A wealth of joint training exercises with all services including other government
agencies, stateside and abroad. I have directly impacted the professional careers, lives, and training of
hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen throughout my career. The amount of passion and discipline to
successfully accomplish mission after mission is embedded from the years of working to support ideas
greater than one’s individual self.

I am currently a government consultant working at the strategic level in planning, and analysis for the
Southern Combatant Command, to assist the government in future threats, plans and operations in the
Southern Hemisphere and South America. My daily responsibilities require strong communication skills
and well-established long-term network of seasoned cyberspace intelligence professionals and
cyberspace operations expertise. My company and teammates are relied upon to be a significant
contributor and provide key talk-points and inputs to senior-level decisions briefs, transitioning concepts
to planned execution, and assisting in the coordination of Joint operational planning in support of
training, exercises, combat, and contingency plans and real-world operations.

I have tried to use my passion by always going the extra mile in meeting requirements but also learning
other departments key contributions to the overall processes. I have learned that validation is
important in working groups, brainstorming sessions, and processes. When all involved parties feel
needed or valued the overall organization flourishes because of the equities involved.

Write a 250- to 300-word response to the following:

What are the components of the SPL Model and what are your perceptions of how the model will
benefit you as a practitioner doctorate? How does Doctoral Demeanor relate to the SPL Model?

“A unique component of the University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies scholarship, practice, and
leadership model is that it recognizes and includes both the cognitive and affective domains of learning.
The College of Doctoral Studies strives to develop learners who gain knowledge and internalize their
knowledge and their learning in practical terms. Through this process learners develop an understanding
of the personal meaning of both and become able to discuss their understanding”

(Kegan & Lahey, 2001).

The SPL model is a format that incompasses scholarly level of processing information and practioners
abilities to apply the information learned. The leadership aspect is the critical blend of understanding
which aspect needs to be utilize, or to efficiently understand which aspect is needed to problem solve
appropriately.

“As scholars, SPL learners value competence, confidently believe they can accomplish goals, and are
willing to take on new challenges on their own or with others (Bandura, 1977; Bandura, 2012). SPLs are
adults, like those observed by Knowles, Holton, and Swanson (2005), who need to know, are ready to
learn, and respond well to problem-centered challenges” (Conway, 2017).

As I learn about the SPL model I can relate to the scholar learning aspect because I have had previous
challenges in which I think helped my learning curve. I was able to figure out how to study, apply time
management, and exercise different levels of thought in my research and writings. I think one of the
significant aspects is sharing the failures and what changes I personally made to ultimately accomplish
the academic goal.

Reference:

Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. (2001). How the way we talk can change the way we work: seven languages for
transformation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Thank you for your service to our country. Service to your fellow citizens in my opinion is the greatest
action a individual can demonstrate. The military is a great example of learning how to function as a
teammate, leader, and provides a wealth of opportunities in the ranks and outside the ranks. I think the
lessons from the past may not measure up to that statement; however, I believe certain actions and
laws are being put into place to recognize Veterans, and Service members for their commitment to
service. I am a retiree, and I take pride in my service and the multiple countries visited and completed
humanitarian, and combat operations in part to create better conditions for the populace. Politically
and religious viewpoints aside I overall value the work of the best and brightest young service members
and their commitment to service. It has provided a great deal of opportunities for not only myself but
my family members as well. I agree in your viewpoint in looking at the overall opportunities and taking
in the most information possible because I guarantee it can help reach new heights and goals. Good
Luck to you, and your family.

Thanks for your service!

Respectfully,
Robert L. Greenleaf
Chief Warrant Officer Two (RET.) | US ARMY
Genn, A. (2005). Positive reinforcement: the key to constructive criticism. Long Island Business News
(7/1993 to 5/2009), 52(20), 23A–45A.

Constructive criticism
Integrating feedback
Feedback and empowerment

Fong, C. J., Schallert, D. L., Williams, K. M., Williamson, Z. H., Warner, J. R., Lin, S., & Kim, Y. W. (2018).
When feedback signals failure but offers hope for improvement: A process model of constructive
criticism. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 30, 42-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2018.02.014

Don’t take it personally

First, understand that the person offering constructive criticism does not intend to make you feel bad
about yourself. Rather, they recognize your strengths and are giving you the tools to recognize and
overcome weaknesses. It’s up to you to turn that feedback into something positive that motivates you
to keep working hard and to improve.

Some people have a tendency to react negatively to constructive criticism. They might try to defend
themselves, or escalate the tone of the conversation. It’s better to stay calm and really listen to what the
person has to say. The key is to be receptive to advice from others.

Keep an open mind

Keeping an open mind allows you to properly engage yourself in the process. When the person giving
the feedback has finished sharing their thoughts, you can think about what they said and begin to self-
examine. Make sure you express that you are thankful for their feedback – and make sure you are being
sincere. Communicating gratitude doesn’t mean you are approving the assessment, but it shows that
you are recognizing the evaluation and appreciate their thoughts.

Work towards a solution

It is now time to process the constructive criticism. This is a good time to clarify any misunderstandings,
as well as share your viewpoint. Ask questions that help you understand what the issue is and what you
can do to address the issue moving forward. Because nothing was taken personally, you can be more
focused on understanding the feedback and coming up with a solution. You can speak from a settled
state of mind and keep the dialogue productive and professional.

Constructive criticism allows us to learn about our weaknesses while continuing to grow and improve.
Keep an open mind and recognize that the person who is giving you advice just wants to see you
succeed.
Place the following phrases in an internet search bar and in your own words describe the following.
Please provide a citation and reference for each source you use.

Constructive criticism
Integrating feedback
Feedback and empowerment
What does the ability to receive and integrate feedback say about you as a scholar-practitioner-leader?