Johari Window - 964 Words

JOHARI Window Workbook 1 JOHARI Window Known to Self Not Known to Self Known to Others Open/Free Area Blind Area Not Known to Others Hidden Area Unknown Area The name, JOHARI Window, makes it sound like a complicated tool. In reality, Joseph Luft and Harrington Ingham created the memorable name for their model by combining their ï ¬ rst names, Joe and Harry. It was ï ¬ rst used in 1955 and since then has become a widely used model for understanding and training in a variety of self-awareness dependent activities such as: personal development, communications, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, team development and inter-group relationships. The JOHARI Window provides a useful format for representing personal†¦show more content†¦5 JOHARI Window Worksheet Known to Self Open/Free Area Not Known to Self Blind Area Known to Others Hidden Area Unknown Area Not Known to OthersShow MoreRelatedJohari Window4902 Words   |  20 Pagesquadrants: - †¢ Open/free self †¢ Blind self †¢ Hidden self †¢ Unknown self âž ¢ The Johari Window Applied to Group Interrelations âž ¢ Principles âž ¢ Objectives âž ¢ View points by Will Philips †¢ Assumptions †¢ Initial phase of group interaction âž ¢ Training with Johari Window âž ¢ Uses of Johari Window âž ¢ Case study âž ¢ Feedback âž ¢ What we learn from Johari Window âž ¢ Bibliography Introduction Good leaders are often recognized for their qualities of genuinenessRead MoreJohari Window3579 Words   |  15 PagesJohari Window model diagrams and examples - for self-awareness, personal development, group development and understanding relationships The Johari Window model is a simple and useful tool for illustrating and improving self-awareness, and mutual understanding between individuals within a group. The Johari Window tool can also be used to assess and improve a groups relationship with other groups. The Johari Window model was developed by American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in theRead MoreA Reflection On The Johari Window1181 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Johari Window is a useful leadership tool for elucidating and improving self-awareness and understanding between leaders and followers, and interpersonal relationships between groups (Hersey, Blanchard, Johnson, 2008). Thus, the Johari Window model is often used by many organizations for understanding and training in self-awareness, personal development, improving communications, interpersonal communications, group dynamics, team development and inter-group relationships (Johari Window, 2016)Read MoreThe Johari Window Model2112 Words   |  9 PagesJohar i Window A model for self-awareness, personal development, group development and understanding relationship Adapted from www.businessballs.com,  © Copyright alan chapman 2003 The Johari Window model A simple and useful tool for understanding and training selfawareness, personal development, improving communications, interpersonal relationships, group dynamics, team development and intergroup relationships Developed by American psychologists Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in the 1950sRead MoreJohari Window Reflection804 Words   |  4 PagesAs a pharmacy student, it is important for me to develop a deeper understanding of my own self-awareness. A way I was able to do so was by creating a Johari Window. The Johari Window exercise is designed to help people better understand themselves, as well as gain knowledge about what others think about them. This exercise consists of a person looking at a list of about fifty positive adjectives and fifty negative adjectives, and choosing five of each that best describe them. The person then hasRead MoreThe Johari Window Theory1345 Words   |  5 Pagesyourself? Most people would answer yes, but in fact they are not correct. Joseph Luft and Ha rrington Ingham developed a theory named the Johari window in 1984. This theory portrayed the different views of our self-awareness and self-disclosure. It revealed that there are four quadrants that contribute to them; Open, blind, hidden and unknown self. Everyone has a Johari window and each one is unique, therefore each relationship you have will be different and differ in dynamics. As we all have different relationshipsRead MoreOverview of The Johari Window600 Words   |  2 PagesOB Topic: Serpico The Johari Window is an interesting concept. It frames communication between individuals in terms of knowledge, specifically who has and does not have it. The authors present a number of insights as to how the window can be used to enhance interpersonal communication. Feedback is described as a tool that can be either positive or negative, but that depends on the person receiving the feedback. One lesson in the Johari window relates directly to the feedback process, and that isRead MoreSwot Analysis And Johari Window1750 Words   |  7 Pages Swot Analysis and Johari Window Guggula, Amarender Reddy California University of Management and Sciences Dr. Bernard Grenway SWOT ANALYSIS: †¢ Swot Analysis is a technique that empowers a team or individual to move from regular issues and traditional procedures to new prospective. †¢ Swot analysis helps us analyze the strengths and weakness, and the opportunities and threats of a particular business organization. †¢ The Swot Analysis system is a very important and helpful toolRead MoreJohari Window Analysis Essay2607 Words   |  11 PagesLeadership skills and JoHari Window Analysis Keuka College Huicong Chen MGT-510-MI004 Leadership Professor Yang Zhao 12/09/2012 Table of contents Introduction---------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 Knowing themselves is the first step of leadership-------------------------------4 JoHari Window Analysis-----------------------------------------------------------------5 Open area--------------------------------------------------------------------------------5Read MoreThe Johari Window Concept of Communication Essay1090 Words   |  5 PagesThe Johari window is a great communication concept to build trust with others and improve understanding between people. According to (Satterlee, 2013, p. 134), â€Å"communication is a process that is vital to transmitting and understanding information†. However, communication is set forth as goal-oriented; the end result for the communicator is to achieve that set goal in order for the message to be considered effective. According to (Darling Beebe, 2007, p. 76), â€Å"communication is the primary way in

Gender Roles in Japan Essay - 2137 Words

It is no secret that for centuries, the Japanese woman has been, to most observers, a model of elegance and graceful beauty. A picture of a kimono-clad, modest, and often silent woman has been plastered everywhere, allowing for the upmost passive subjection. If we look deeper into this image of woman, can we tell if this picture is complete? How do these women painted in representative images far in the modern world? The ideal woman in Japan is expected to be both a good wife, and a wise mother. Though these seem like reasonable expectations, there is a much deeper meaning to them that has shown signs of being outdated. During the 1800’s and 1900’s, women were subjected to society’s vision of them, and could not break free for fear of the†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"She is intelligent, modest, unselfish, and always thoughtful of the other members of the family. She is particular about her manner and impresses everybody she meets with her graceful dignity †¦She rises earlier and retires later than anybody else in the family. She has never allowed herself to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning in bed, and the sickbed is the only place for her to rest†¦Endurance and repression are her greatest ideals. She says to me, ‘Endurance a woman should cultivate more than anything else. If you endure well in any circumstance, you will achieve happiness.† This quote is representative of the popular stereotype of Japanese women. It defines how they worked hard at home to please the men, and did whatever was expected of them without complaint. A key word in this quote is endurance. It is stated that a woman who endures well in any circumstance will achieve happiness, and what is said is true. History reports that though there were many women in leadership positions (Queens, empresses, etc.), they appeared to be second-class citizens. It seemed as though the only relationship they were prompted to have was with their husbands. However, they endured. They came to the realization that if this is how life would be, this is the life they would have to get used to. Due to multiple different influences, there are many inconsistencies when it comes to the role of women in ancient Japan.Show MoreRelatedGender Roles : Japan And Japan1111 Words   |  5 Pagessurvey conducted by the Japan Times has found that `40 percent of both men and women in their 20s to 40s believe husbands should work full time while their wives stay at home`. (Japan times 2014) Also, a number of male and female respondents answered that they believe women should focus on parenting when their children are very young and so no work. This survey clearly shows how ingrained concepts of male and female roles are in Japan. The reasons why Japan has this type of role is there is traditionalRead MoreGender And Cultural Norms Within The Countries Of Australia And Japan1631 Words   |  7 Pagessignificantly impacted by gender and the cultural norms within the countries of Australia and Japan. Individuals use communication to express feelings, emotions, opinions and values. Communication is therefore a vitality to human interaction between parents and children, bosses and employees or husband and wife. The differing qualities and attributes of those included in any interaction can in this way influence communication. This can be explored through gender roles and their role in the verbal and nonverbalRead MoreEssay about Gender and Race During the U.S. Occupation of Japan1734 Words   |  7 PagesThe Fifteen-Year War was a time of great turmoil and uncertainty in Japan. Various facets of the country were tested and driven to their limits. During the occupation, race and gender began to evolve in ways that had not exactly be seen before. War had a tremendous impact on every part of the life of a Japanese citizen. Both men and women began to fill roles that were completely novel to them. Race became a part of the definition of who people were. As the war progressed and American troops landedRead MoreIntellectual Developments Pertaining to Gender in Japan and Europe765 Words   |  4 PagesIntellectual developments pertaining to gender in Japan and Europe Gender roles and the rights of women in society are fundamentally the same in 18th century Europe as in Japan at the turn of the century. In both societies women are looked down upon as the weaker counterparts of men; useful only for improving the lives of men. Because society believes women only live to improve the lives of men they feel that women don’t need to be educated, they don’t need to own property, and that women shouldRead MoreThe Japanese Epic, The Tales Of The Heike Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesOr did he not want his lover to die too? What do you think? Gender roles in society, especially Japanese society is not something a typical millennial would been pondering about. Many American millennials categorize the sexes in certain behavior patterns and we often do not realize it. Gender roles in a culture is defined more than just by the physical discrepancies. Similar to Korea and China, Japan is influenced by Confucian ideas. Japan was a somewhat reasonable matriarchal society until ConfucianRead MoreThe Decline of Japans Birth Rate872 Words   |  4 Pages Japan needs to have more babies. The population of Japan is declining, and the birth rate is a base problem. People just aren’t having enough babies anymore. This will be problematic, as Tomm says â€Å"The consequences have had negative effects as fertility rate continues to decline and life expectancy continues to increase†. After the birth rate has been declining for the past four decades, the old far outnumber the young at a ratio of nearly 2:1(â€Å"Japan Age structure†). There aren’t enough workersRead MoreJapanese and Indian Cultures1065 Words   |  5 PagesWhen one thinks of Japan and India, not many similarities come to mind. They may come up with similarities such as, Japan and India are both Asian countries and both have roots in Buddhism. But, actually they share several more cultural similarities. The Japanese culture and the Indian culture are similar in that they both believe in the importance of a joint family system, education and gender roles, but they differ greatly when it comes to marriages. In both Japan and India, the familyRead MoreGender Inequality: To What Extent Does It Still Exist Today1257 Words   |  6 PagesGender Inequality: To What Extent Does it Still Exist Today? Throughout history, womens roles in society have been different than those of mens. Women’s jobs were generally connected to their traditional roles of caring for the home, raising children, making clothes, and cooking food, while men were the breadwinners in the families. Women had been brought up to become mothers (as well as nurturers) while men were brought up to become entrepreneurs and businessmen. It was not until the 1950s thatRead MoreIntroduction. Women Across The World Struggle To Make Their1454 Words   |  6 Pagesand Zimmerman, MacKinnon, and Smith defend women’s rights and call for an open and organized society that promotes equality for all genders, ethnic, cultural, and religious groups. Additionally, one of the conflict theorists, Dahrendorf, argues historical changes and inequality creates groups of conflict that attribute to women’s suppression within leadership roles in society. Overall, the struggle for equality can be supported by Durkhei m’s social fact that explains the need and importance in understandingRead MoreWomen s Rights And Feminist Movements995 Words   |  4 Pagesand some criticize the period as flawed feminism. The loss of World War II was a catalyst for cultural change within Japan. Occupation and the subsequent influx of American ideals and culture influenced the changes that occurred in Japanese women’s lives. John Dower, a retired MIT professor of Japanese history, reflects on these cultural changes in his work â€Å"Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II†. Throughout his book in chapters such as â€Å"Servicing the Conquerors,† â€Å"Butterflies,† â€Å"Onlys

Media Bias In The Media - 1474 Words

Throughout America’s infantile years, the media solely consisted of the printing press, but as a result of industrialization, commercialization, and professionalization, it now extends into the world of technology, reaching far more Americans than ever before. Media can be defined as collective outlets for mass communication. In today’s society, massive amounts of media are consumed in a plethora of forms: newspapers, magazines, television, Internet, and social media. The 2007 U.S. Census Bureau s Statistical Abstract of the United States reports that adults and teens spend nearly five months out the year watching television, surfing the Internet, reading daily newspapers and listening to music (cited in ABC News, 2006). In correspondence†¦show more content†¦On the contrary, my mother, a liberal, denounces Fox News, relying on CNN, ABC, and MSNBC for her news. Their opposing political beliefs reinforce the dichotomy within media with conservatives on the right and liberals on the left, both remaining loyal to their respective news outlets. This is far more common than my interviewee’s anecdotal story; it extends across the entire nation. The Pew Research Center fortifies this claim by analyzing the relationship between political beliefs and preferred media sources. In doing so, they discovered that Fox News serves as the primary news outlet for 47 percent of conservatives, while CNN, NPR, and MSNBC are preferred by liberals (Mitchell, Gottfried, Kiley, Matsa, 2014). By narrowing in on a specific ideology, news networks earn the trust of their audience and retain their attention. The Pew Research study corresponds with the results from my interviews, showing that 88 percent of conservatives trust Fox News, like my father, and 52 percent of liberals trust MSNBC, like my mother (Mitchell et al., 2014). The growing trust within partisan outlets simultaneously corresponds with the major spike in viewership these businesses experienced . According to The Wall Street Journal, Fox News came in first in prime time television rating in 2016 with an average audience of 3.1 million, which was a 72 percent increase from the previous yearShow MoreRelatedMedia Bias And The Media980 Words   |  4 PagesChurchill The â€Å"roots† of bias in the media date back to the nineteenth century, and criticism about bias partly reflects a controversial idea about what exactly is the media’s role and purpose. Newspapers and television alike are suppose to exist to relay objective, factual information gathered and communicated by journalists and reporters. By definition according to wikipedia, media bias is bias or perceived bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media in the selection of eventsRead MoreMedia Bias And The Media1042 Words   |  5 Pagesor the method for reporting them is termed as Media Bias. It is some of the time said that media tailor the news and as opposed to introducing the truths it shows different purposes of perspectives and sentiments. Media inclination is pervasive or broad and it defies the guidelines of news-casting. Media Bias is seen in just about all the nations on the planet and the bearing and level of its effect differs. Some of the time the impediments of media may likewise be translated as inclination. SuchRead MoreMedia Bias And The Media1365 Words   |  6 PagesMedia Bias In today’s society, remaining connected and knowledgeable of current events and the newest trends is vital to staying ahead in business, education, and social standing. This information is supplied to everyone through the internet, newspapers, television, and radio. One can tune into stations such as CNN, NBC, Fox News, Al-Jazeera, and many others (â€Å"SQs of Media Outlets†). In order to meet the needs of viewers, readers, and listeners, the ideal media system would contain accurate, quickRead MoreMedia Bias And The Media1531 Words   |  7 PagesPeople who perceive media bias will factor in the news source when they attempt to formulate opinions of ideological bias in the news content. This idea is called the hostile media phenomenon or hostile media effect. In a groundbreaking study in 1985, researchers, Vallone, Ross, and Lepper, postulated that when there is a controversial issue, a partisan is more likely to perceive bias against their viewpoint, even if the inf ormation is coming from an objective news source. The causes effects of theRead MoreMedia Bias And The Media1353 Words   |  6 PagesMedia has been playing a significant role in our daily lives by developing our personalities, enriching our knowledge and providing us with different sorts of information. It has a tremendous power in framing cultural guidelines and shaping political dissertation. If the information provided to the U.S. citizens is distorted, then they cannot make informed decisions on the matters of public policy. Thus, it becomes vital to the American democracy that the news media and its institutions remain unbiasedRead MoreMedia Bias And The Media1402 Words   |  6 PagesMedia has become an integral part of the lives of both Americans and people all around the world. It has its influences on different aspects of a person’s aspect on life. Many political analysts have looked at the influence of media on elections, especially as the media has become more p rominent in the world. With technology becoming more and more a n integral part of the daily life of a person, this subject will become that much more relevant. We live in a time where almost every person in the developingRead MoreThe Bias Of The Media1317 Words   |  6 Pages There is no getting away from the fact that the media is biased it is just which side of the aisle that they are biased to that I believe is the main question that needs to be answered. The progressive liberal side screams bias whiles the conservative army also scream bias so is there really bias in the media. I will take a look at the mass media most specifically cable news and syndicated talk shows to prove the point that bias in the media is more a myth that the leaders of each side preachesRead MoreThe Bias Of Media Bias1820 Words   |  8 PagesI. Introduction While there have been several studies on how people perceive media bias, few have been conducted to determine how to combat incorrect identification of media bias. To combat this lack of knowledge, we created an experiment to determine if gaining knowledge about media bias through two different treatments enables people to identify, rather than perceive, media bias. The first treatment is a list of tenants that the liberal and conservative ideologies maintain on specific issues.Read MoreMedia Bias2516 Words   |  11 Pagesthat plagues us everyday without us even realizing it is media bias. We see it in the news. We see it on our favorite sitcoms. We read it everyday in the paper. Yet, we really dont recognize it when we hear it or see it. Media bias is evident in every aspect of the media, yet the problem is that we dont even recognize it when it is right in front of our faces. Are the impressions that we form about individuals a product of the media? Do we form certain opinions about particular types of peopleRead More Media Power and Media Bias Essay995 Words   |  4 Pages The powerful media barons have always altered broadcasts to achieve their personal or corporate agenda. What purpose does the media serve now? Measuring Bias on Television by Barrie Gunter has elaborated on the idea that news was originally set up to act as a nati onal tool to stir thoughts. But is it? No! Is the media even enlightening the public now? After careful speculation of mass media and the communication world, I am under the impression that broadcasts have been used to entertain, frighten

MPA Essay free essay sample

Nine years ago, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree at Baker University and decided I would pursue the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Kansas. At the time, I was working in the non-profit sector and felt the business themes, combined with the government and non-profit specifics would be a fantastic fit for my interests and future. Following two semesters of classes at the University of Kansas Medical Center to quench my taste for the medical connection, I ultimately completed the application process and was accepted to the MPA program. I looked forward to the two-year program and to learning about public service, leadership, perseverance, strength and more. Today, as I complete my final class in the MPA program, over seven years later, I’ve indeed grown and learned a tremendous amount, through both the academic exposure and through my life and career experiences during that time. There have been semesters I didn’t think I’d graduate or ever complete the program requirements, but I have and I am convinced the MPA program has made a difference in my ability to succeed. We will write a custom essay sample on MPA Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The Mission of Public Service As I mentioned, at the on-set of the program, I was working in the non-profit sector, at the Kansas City Free Health Clinic. I was not married then, and was able to dedicate all of my time to work and school. I felt a huge sense of pride in the work we were doing at the Clinic. As the second-oldest free clinic in North America, the history is impressive and the patient’s stories are nearly unbelievable. The Clinic was my first exposure to the idea of public service; the idea that working toward a mission meant more than the bottom line in the financial statement. Although my Clinic experience was indeed eye-opening to the world of nonprofits, I came into it with the knowledge that when I looked at those working in and dedicated to the public and nonprofit sectors, I want to see them doing the right thing, acting in the best interests of the public they serve. Even then, I believed being a public servant meant following a moral compass that helps you to decide what is right and what is not. Is this true of leaders in the private sector too? Of course, but my opinions were confirmed as the beliefs of many outside the private sector as I attended the Human Resources Management course within the program. It appeared the stakes felt a bit higher, the passion was a bit easier to see and taste, the mission was on the surface. In the class, the idea of equity and fairness was in our conversation. We also dove into the concepts of pay for performance vs. pay for seniority or level. Coming from a background in the private sector prior to my work at the Clinic, these conversations in the classroom always made me think and question the best approach and the fairest approach for the employee. We spent time in the class on the topic of motivation. Thinking back today, I am utilizing that conversation frequently in my role. As I lead my team, I must remember motivation is unique to each employee – what works for some will not work for everyone. I am in the private sector again currently and, although there is a sense of mission, it is different and perhaps less passionate than I witnessed at the Clinic and in my classes. As I’ve completed classes in the MPA program, I’ve been able to interact with multiple public servants. This expansion of my network and the lessons learned have been a helpful reminder for me of the reason people go into public service. As I listen to stories about their day-to-day experiences, I hear of the commitment to the constituents and the commitment to the mission of their organization. I hear of the pleasure they receive in knowing they’ve succeeded in their public service mission. This drive to support the mission has never left me and as I attend class in the MPA program, it’s only been strengthened. As I use many of the tools I’ve learned in the program with my team, I strive to create this drive and passion for their work within them as well. The public servant’s heart and mission is alive and well in the MPA program at KU and it is an inspiration. Leadership Effectiveness One of the most enjoyable classes I completed in the MPA program was a leadership elective. It lasted just a week at the Kansas Union, but in that week, allowed the students to become immersed in what public leadership is all about. The ideas of servant leadership, emotional intelligence and  perseverance are all concepts we discovered in that course that stay with me today as I lead a team of professionals and constantly question the most effective approach to leadership One book I reviewed tied to these concepts and certainly one I reference today is The Servant Leader by Ken Blanchard. Like many leaders in public service, it takes a values and morals-based approach to planning, training and coaching. The approach lends itself to improved attention on the employee for their development and support. This makes sense in the public sector given the frequent resource challenges and the idea the employees will need to make up what the budget does not allow with the public servants heart. Emotional intelligence is another concept I was first introduced to in the program. I have valued this information as I interact with a variety of people in the program and in my professional setting. Emotional intelligence is a tool that truly allows for meaningful and impactful interaction. It makes all of us better and helps us achieve more through the realization that we are all unique and see reality through our own individual lens. I see such value in the concept, that I utilize EQ tools with my team to allow us to better apply the concept and make the best use of our strengths and opportunities. One of my favorite quotes on leadership, which I came across during the program, is by Peter F. Drucker. He said, â€Å"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.† I believe when I began the MPA program, I truly did not understand the difference between management and leadership and, although I’ve always enjoyed this quote, I didn’t grasp the meaning until I had exposure to the leaders and professors in the program. As I reflect on the professors I’ve had over these many years, they too are leaders. They have had the ability to help me understand topics I may not have otherwise and gain an appreciation for the importance of each in the world of public service. In my professional position today, I frequently use much of what I’ve learned about leadership in the program to support the leaders I interact with and to teach others how to grow from managers to leaders. Leadership is about doing the right things and my experiences in the program have provided a top-notch example of how that shows up in the public sector. An additional aspect of the MPA program I’ve very much enjoyed is the exposure I’ve had to local leaders through the PUAD 831 credit opportunities. Only a program like KU’s MPA would allow me to have the former Mayor of Kansas City as my  professor or place me in the audience of twenty to listen to a panel with the Mayor of Leawood and Overland Park as they discuss very candidly their life experiences – where they’ve been and how they are effective as leaders. As Mayor Peggy Dunn of Leawood was asked how she approaches a situation where she has a conflict between what her constituency wants and what her values and morals call for, she responded that she must be able to sleep at night. She shared her approach to making decisions was always a balance between understanding the needs of the stakeholders and the research and history. She did not always have the right answers, but she surrounded herself with smart people and listened to her gut instinct. This type of advice sticks with me today and I value the lessons learned from the successful leaders I’ve been exposed to. Perseverance Perseverance is defined as â€Å"steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.† (Webster’s) As I think about the challenges that exist in public service, I think of budget constraints, various stakeholders with widespread and differing interests, and politics. The public servant must overcome these obstacles and others to be successful in their day-to-day work. They must support the mission of their employer and do all they can to be the best public servant they can, sometimes without the accolades and other resources they deserve. My knowledge of the budget and planning process increased exponentially in the Finance and Budgets courses. The long-term perspective on planning, developing contingency plans and involving the stakeholders for approval was eye-opening. As we discovered the many facets of preparing and receiving approval for a budget, we also spoke about implementation of that budget. Coming into the courses, I would have expected the process of developing it to be the tough piece; however I would have been incorrect. The implementation of the budget, even with the stakeholders on board can take many twists and turns and the classes within the program shared with us what those may look like (environmental factors, change in administration or policy, etc†¦) and how we might anticipate and prepare for them. This process certainly requires perseverance. Personally, as I reflect on my journey through the years I’ve spent in the  MPA program, I too have had to learn perseverance. As I mentioned, when I began the program I was single, working full time and very much devoted to my work and the new Master’s program I was excited to dive into. Through the years, I have gotten married, changed jobs multiple times, moved three times, had two children and seen my husband get laid off as a result of the downturn in the economy. Through each of these obstacles, I had to make a choice between leaving the program or sticking with it and succeeding. There were many times I didn’t expect I would ever complete the program. There were times I had to take a break to have each of my daughters or support my maternity leave. There are still times when I wonder how I’ll ever pay off the student loans I have taken out over the years. Through it all, though, I’ve seen the professor’s support and heard the voices of the leaders I’ve met. I have seen them persevere and they have inspired me to do the same. The girl that started the MPA program years ago is far from the same person I am today. That girl would have been terrified to save the MPA statistics class for her final semester. Today, I’m left with three classroom sessions in PUAD 836 and a good grade – that’s perseverance (and a very patient professor)! Today’s challenges are met with a determination to do whatever it takes to succeed, with the knowledge it will not always be easy, but it will always be worth it. In that way, I feel very much like the public servants I have the privilege to meet in my classes. Growth and Strength Public servants take many forms and all require strength to be a success. Perhaps none require more strength in the face of a challenge than the leader of our country. Coming out of this most recent election, it’s been such a wonderful experience to participate in classes specific to public service and have conversations about what the looks like at the Federal level. Regardless of one’s political persuasion, the conversations that have come out of looking at the election process, the strength needed in the candidates and even the statistics of the many polls in the news have been eye-opening. Even though I am in the MPA program, I believe those conversations and experiences would be beneficial for all Americans. Having exposure to the public sector at the Federal, State and Local levels has also been a very empowering experience in the MPA program. I’ve been in  classes with long-time employees of the TSA, police and fire, local and state offices and non-profits. The experiences shared by all of my peers have been instrumental in improving my understanding of how government works and where I might like to play a role. It is because of my experiences in the MPA program that my career goal has changed to be more public sector-focused. Looking Ahead It has been over seven years since the start of my MPA program. During that time, I’ve worked in the non-profit sector and have spent most of my time in the private sector. I’ve seen tremendous growth in my interest in public service and in leadership. As I look ahead to where I’ll be coming out of the program, I have a genuine interest in spending the remainder of my career in public service. I’ve recently applied for a position in the public sector to ensure I don’t lose sight of the impact this work can make. Personally, the impact of the MPA program has been overwhelming to think through. I’ve grown in my professional approach and my leadership skills. I have started and grown a family and now, have nearly completed my Master’s degree. I feel such pride in knowing that I have developed, through the course of the program, the leadership, perseverance and strength to succeed. I’ve frequently utilized the concepts and lessons learned in the program to support my team and my own development goals. I’ve shared details on statistical significance and emotional intelligence, case law and budgetary constraints, and the list goes on and on. Each day, I am faced with challenges and opportunities that allow me to use the knowledge I’ve gained in the program to help with a decision or perspective. I would like to thank the faculty and staff of the Masters of Public Administration program for allowing me to spend the last seven years in a program that truly deserves the incredible rankings and acknowledgement it receives. I am so proud to become a graduate of the program and will tell anyone I connect with about my positive experience. During the program, I have had exposure to amazing people both from KU and in my peers in the class. I’ve developed mentorships and friendships that will continue for years. I’ve gained experience and knowledge that will last a lifetime.