November 14, 2016
New online course helps students develop their strengths
In spring 2017, the Staley School of Leadership Studies will offer a new online course through K-State Global Campus that is designed to build upon the knowledge gained in the initial StrengthsQuest assessment offered to all incoming K-State students.
LEAD 502 Strengths-Based Leadership Development will provide a more formalized and extensive training that will benefit students who want to move beyond strengths identification and focus on strengths development. The course will be taught by former Gallup consultant, Glenn Phelps. StrengthsQuest is owned by Gallup.
"Many of our K-State students are initially introduced to their top five strengths through orientation and enrollment, living learning communities or in a classroom environment," said Mike Finnegan, assistant professor of leadership studies. "After taking the strengths assessment, many students ask, 'What's next?' This course aims to complement the current work across campus to help K-State students develop their strengths."
The course is composed of three parts that build on one another. Using their results from the StrengthsQuest assessment, students will work through a process called Name-It, Claim-It, Aim-It.
During the Name-It and Claim-It phases, students will review their own behavior during instances of success and failure and then relate their behaviors to their strengths. This exercise increases awareness of strengths and how they are currently being used. During the Aim-It phase, students will focus on intentionally using their strengths to increase their effectiveness in leadership roles.
"Students who want to explore their own strengths and be intentional about applying the strengths philosophy into their own living-learning groups, student organizations and co-curricular activities will learn valuable insight on how to fully capitalize on K-State's strength initiative," Finnegan said.
Enrollment in LEAD 502 Strengths-Based Leadership Development is available now in KSIS.