25.10.20
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LEADERSHIP - Center for Environmental Leadership

Leadership - Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. (NACE Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce)

EDUC/AWPE 221 Outdoor Trip Leadership

In this co-curricular experience, students participated in a two-week pre-semester trip, starting at Earlham College and traveling down to the Florida Everglades for an 8-day canoeing expedition. The trip started by learning about trip logistics, such as packing out gear and food, and practicing course area specific skills, such as paddling strokes, t-rescues, and nautical chart reading.

Throughout the expedition, students took turns serving as "co-leaders of day" (in pairs) and wrote and taught lessons on technical skills, natural/cultural history, and leadership topics. They set-up camp, cooked, and practiced leave no trace principles. They also all participated in a solo experience, where they each camped in a designated site by themselves for 24 hours.

The trip was designed so students gradually took on more leadership responsibilities throughout and ended with a day of "supervised independent travel" where they canoed ahead of the trainers and made all leaderships decisions independently. 

Skills / Knowledge

  • Lead Without Title
  • Act As a Catalyst
  • Draw Conclusions
  • Provide Validations

Earning Criteria

Required

skill

To earn the leadership micro-credential, students must demonstrate proficiency in the following areas (Education Design Lab Durable Skills Sub-Competencies):

Lead Without Title - Motivate and guide others; raise the morale of their group; and take responsibility for what needs to be done.

  • Goals are clear

  • Nonverbal cues are positive

  • Optimizing skills / opinions

  • Productive use of time

  • Establish next steps

Act As a Catalyst - Galvanize action; identify and seize opportunities for change; and overcome inertia.

  • Creates attention-grabbing call to action

  • Targets appropriate decision-makers

  • Presents the issue in a clear and compelling way

  • Demonstrates a clear understanding of the audience and their needs

Draw Conclusions - Using logic and reasoning to evaluate arguments, form judgments, and make recommendations.

  • Identifies key details in scenario

  • Identifies key issues to consider

  • Analyzes information in light of key considerations

  • Draws conclusion supported by evidence

Provide Validation - Create a safe and participatory environment in which each member of a team can contribute.

  • Avoids confirmation bias

  • Frames questions as invitations

  • Demonstrates respect for other person(s)

  • Doesn’t seek to ‘win’

knowledge

Pre/Post Test for the sub-competencies: 

  1. Can I motivate and inspire others to work towards a common goal?

  2. Can I create a positive and supportive environment for my team?

  3. Can I take initiative and responsibility for completing tasks?

  4. Can I inspire and motivate others to take action?

  5. Can I identify opportunities for improvement or change?

  6. Can I overcome challenges and setbacks?

  7. Can I critically evaluate arguments and evidence?

  8. Can I form well-reasoned judgments and opinions?

  9. Can I make recommendations that are based on my analysis?

  10. Can I create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected?

  11. Can I encourage and support the contributions of all team members?