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Strategic Foresight Curricula for United States Coast Guard Leadership Development

Strategic Foresight Curricula for United States Coast Guard Leadership Development

Andrew L. Cavins | 2021

Abstract

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) excels at preparing its members for a wide range of highly complex missions. The USCG’s Force Readiness Command (FORCECOM) and its group of training units across the nation are responsible for identifying gaps between a broad spectrum of observed and desired skills and competencies and providing training interventions to fill those gaps. Although the USCG commits significant resources toward high-quality training and development opportunities in most of the Office of Leadership’s (CG-128) twenty-eight leadership competencies, the twenty-eighth competency, Strategic Thinking, has relatively less in terms of dedicated, formal education and training opportunities.

On another level, the USCG has made headway over the last two decades in utilizing strategic foresight practices to formulate strategic policies. Yet, outside of the small unit responsible for this mission, strategic foresight as a field of study and a methodology for developing strategic thinking in leadership is largely unknown. Research indicates that most military officers are not exposed to leadership development in strategic foresight until they approach the flag officer level and that training is needed in earlier stages of career development to maximize its potential (Zalman, 2019).

This project sought to fill two critical gaps: (1) Provide formal leadership development curricula targeting the Strategic Thinking competency and (2) provide formal leadership development curricula for a deep-immersion introduction to some of the fundamental principles, methods, tools, and techniques of strategic foresight. Upon a series of strategic discussions, stakeholders decided the ideal schoolhouse for leveraging these curricula and introducing strategic foresight into the USCG’s culture would be in FORCECOM’s Leadership Development Center (LDC). The LDC’s Mid-Grade Officer Career Transition Course (MOCTC-2), a forty-seven-week facilitated online training (FOT) course with a two-week residency, provided the best opportunity to deliver this training solution.

The proposed Strategic Foresight Unit that this project produced is comprised of six lessons: (1) Introduction to Strategic Foresight, (2) Systems Dynamics, (3) Social Change, (4) Strategic Foresight Tools & Techniques, (5) Scenario Planning, and (6) Anticipatory Management. Each lesson is designed to be delivered online via any of the USCG’s preferred learning management systems (LMS). Students are immersed in the field of strategic foresight and engage with their peers in each lesson to produce real strategic foresight products to potentially propose to the USCG’s official strategic foresight group. Upon completing the course, students will have demonstrated each individual component of the USCG’s Strategic Thinking competency, as well as have been introduced to critical foresight competencies that leaders across the world are pursuing.

The Mental Mogul Mindset: Key Strategies for Achieving Mental Clarity and Leadership Success

The Mental Mogul Mindset: Key Strategies for Achieving Mental Clarity and Leadership Success

Loretta Culbreath Coley | 2021

Abstract

This book addresses the behaviors associated with success using critical parameters related to mental stamina and supportive actions that lead to success. The book introduces the concepts of mind mapping, the bragging factor, and the Master Key theory. The processes demonstrate how individuals think about achievement, perceptions, and the behaviors needed for a healthy focus. The book also attempts to address the LeaderMind theory and key behavioral components that directly affect achievement. The Mental Mogul Mindset practically identifies constructs that individuals and organizations can use to create structured leadership development plans through literary analysis and human-based social research. The results of the study further clarify the concepts of the LeaderMind theory and its application. The book reflects behaviors and actions that individuals can use to begin constructive development, leading to success.

Gods Prophetic Strategy (GPS): A Blueprint for Building Leaders

Gods Prophetic Strategy (GPS): A Blueprint for Building Leaders

Alexis S. Crawford | 2021

Abstract

A blueprint is a plan that, when followed appropriately, the outcome resembles the architect’s original intent. God has a blueprint for every person. God’s plan results from His infinite wisdom and power to construct humankind according to His purpose strategically and for His pleasure. Blueprints serve as guides to implement by laying out sequential steps to deliver services. They help those charged with implementing the plan to get on the same page. When a project or service goes wrong or a related question, it serves as an instruction guide to discerning the answer.

This blueprint is written for emerging and growing leaders in ministry, organizations, and businesses to increase leadership capacity from a Christian perspective. The blueprint integrates leadership development work and learning experiences based on scripture. Leadership passages are drawn from 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus: qualifications, characteristics, and the qualities necessary for excellent leadership. These elements inspire personal, group, and team growth and development, empowerment, and mentoring. Psalms 1:1-3 and 91 lay a backdrop that describes the way of the Christian leader and details of righteous leadership as a precursor to the leadership information in Parts one through three.

Ordinarily, when the acronym GPS is seen, it suggests the Global Positioning System that provides reliable positioning, location, navigation, and time information anywhere in the world. It also does so in all weather conditions 24/7. That system gives clear directions if there is an unobstructed sightline to the GPS satellites. It is an amazing system that helps find lost and rescued people, helps pilots navigate and find their destination anywhere globally, and countless others find their way to specific goals.

GPS technology is fantastic. However, God’s genius far exceeds man’s technology. The Holy Spirit provides God’s Prophetic Strategy because He is God. He is a member of the Trinity and does not change. He is the helper who comes alongside the Christian and ministers the Word of God. When Christians get into God’s Word, He teaches what needs to be known and understood (1 Tim. 2:15). His voice directs and corrects if we will listen and heed His voice.

GPS technology is fantastic. However, God’s genius far exceeds man’s technology. The Holy Spirit provides God’s Prophetic Strategy because He is God. He is a member of the Trinity and does not change. He is the helper who comes alongside the Christian and ministers the Word of God. When Christians get into God’s Word, He teaches what needs to be known and understood (1 Tim. 2:15). His voice directs and corrects if we will listen and heed His voice.

God’s Word is the priority equipping tool for leading leaders to impact, not only locally and this generation, but globally and for generations to come, leaving a legacy to replicate and follow. The blueprint is divided into parts as follows:

Introduction: prescribes the Christian leader and details of righteous leadership as found in Psalm 1:1-3 and Psalm 91 as a precursor to the information in parts 1-3. Part 1 looks at The Will of God and The Will of Man through these lenses:

  • The Spirit, Soul, and Body Connection
  • The Art of War or Spiritual Warfare (Eph. 2:8-18)
  • The Strategy of the Kingdom (Matt.28:18-20; 6:10)
  • The Leadership Ministry Gifts Purpose and Functions

Part 2 contains Lessons from God’s Power Team: 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus – foundations for a biblical leadership model. Part 3 is about Understanding and engaging the Seven-Mountains of Influence: Art, Business, Education, Family, Media, Political, and Religion.

This blueprint contributes to leadership by focusing on the contemporary application of a Christian perspective and biblical worldview of leadership to impact leadership development in ministry, organizations, and business, both nationally and globally. The biblical and Christian perspectives and tools presented help leaders meet antithetical world views’ challenges while renewing, innovating, and transforming systems and teams. The information is formatted to appeal to popular and academic audiences.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Activating Authentic Leadership Competencies in African American Women

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Activating Authentic Leadership Competencies in African American Women

Kindra Cunningham | 2021

Abstract Authenticity is rooted in truth and honesty as an internal declaration and external demonstration that commands consistency in action without perfection in execution. Being self-aware, compassionate, confident, resilient, optimistic, honest, ethical, and self-regulating are consistent fundamental characteristics of authentic leaders; however, demonstrating the features varies greatly person-to-person(Northouse, 2016). Many of the foundational features of authenticity have been cultivated generation after generation for African American women, often through responses to adversity, stress, and turmoil, exhibited as perseverance, strength, and tenacity. While some are enamored by the grace and distinction displayed by many African American women, most are not aware of the unique challenges they face. A brief glimpse into the world of these women reveals a station full of code-switching, identity hiding, compromise, adaptation, and agility. To deal with written and unsaid yet understood leadership requirements, African American women possess the ability to activate Authentic leadership competencies to achieve success without compromising their truth. When individuals ascribe to the notion of being fearfully and wonderfully made, knitted together in their mother’s womb, there is resolute assurance that everything they are, deep within their truth, is exactly what they are meant to be (Psalm 139:13-14 ESV). David wrote Psalm 139 amplifying how God created him, every fiber of his being, and since God’s works are wonderful, he knew he was complete(Brown, 1996). African American women are fearfully and wonderfully made with every propensity needed to operate in an authentic leadership style.

Improving Health Care Leadership in the COVID-19 Era & Global

Improving Health Care Leadership in the COVID-19 Era & Global

Folarin Kehinde David | 2021

Abstract

The Health Care Industry globally is at a crossroads. There are pressing public health issues locally, nationally, and globally. Healthcare leadership face significant challenges leading their organizations through increased consumers demands, decreased funding, regulatory intervention, global health crisis and professional staff shortages. There is a need to understand the type of leadership that exists and that which would be most effective in addressing these challenges.

The dissertation addresses the concept of providing effective, efficient, quality healthcare and health-promoting leadership to all of the citizens of the Sub-Saharan Africa and USA. The dissertation looked into hospitals which renders both specialized and non-specialized services to thousands of patients in the countries, these has been on the decline for the last twenty years. The hospitals are inundated with various problems that are impacting negatively on healthcare service delivery, which include poor leadership; no stable management; shortage of critical staff such as clinicians, nurses and managers; outdated medical equipment’s; shortage of prescribed drugs; suspension of key staff members; financial mismanagement; fraud; poor infrastructure; and shortage of basic stock items such as stationery, linen, etc.

Health Care Leadership has been defined as influence that moves individuals, communities, organizations, and systems toward achieving goals that will result in better health and well-being. But what type of leadership is required in public health to address the decline in healthcare system, what are the health-promoting leadership qualities needed? How is it described? How is that leadership developed and supported?

To begin to answer these questions and contribute to the knowledge and science of leadership in public health care, an extensive scoping review of the various literature pertinent to leadership was undertaken in order to enable a deeper level of understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of leadership in relation to public healthcare service delivery.

The dissertation concludes with a discussion of the findings and a set of considerations and recommendations for practice, theory, policy, education, and research. These considerations and recommendations are intended to provide a foundation for the development and support of public health leaders and leadership to address the determinants of health and advance health -promoting leadership, which is the culture for health promoting workplaces and values, to inspire and motivate employee participation in such a development. Which can also be viewed as a critical part of organizational capacity for health promotion, including managerial knowledge and skills as well as organizational policies and structures that support a health promoting workplace.

The success of these interventions aiming at developing a health-promoting leadership depends on how well they are integrated into an organizations culture and daily work.

Keywords: Leadership, Health Promotion, Workplace Health, Evaluation, Collaboration, Quality Healthcare

Is there a Role for the Black Church in Social Justice Reform? Biblical Justice from Moses to MLK

Is there a Role for the Black Church in Social Justice Reform? Biblical Justice from Moses to MLK

Leslie Dillard | 2021

Abstract

For this nation to reverse course and overcome the current firestorm of injustice, the Black Church must take its place in leading and facilitating a course correction. The battle is not just about the state of the union; it is about the state of the nation’s soul. United States citizens aspire to a peaceful existence. The Black Church must be like the widower in Luke 18:1-8, regularly pointing out injustice and acting upon it until the desired outcome is achieved. Christ expects us as individuals to acknowledge our sin and repent. It is no different for a nation. The undercurrent of injustice will continue to erode this nation’s foundation until America comes to grips with its sin.

The purpose of this book is to identify the role of the Black church in supporting justice reform and providing strategies to facilitate reconciliation and restoration across the whole ecclesia, White and Black, as well as the nation. The national outrage at the deaths of African Americans at the hands of law enforcement has brought to the surface 400 years of systemic oppression and civil rights injustices. For many, the Black church is expected to address social inequities with the same zeal exhibited in the past. What will it take for the Black church to engage in social justice activism and who will lead this fight?

A Heart to Serve

A Heart to Serve – Servant Leadership: A Foundational Leadership Model for Healthcare Leaders

Kia Dunbar-Harris | 2021

Abstract

The current healthcare environment is constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic created more challenges to a system that was already severely strained. Issues such as health equity, rising cost of care, poor quality and access to care, as well as staff burnout continue to impact our communities and health systems. There is a need for a new leadership strategy and approach. In addition to being transformational leaders, situational leaders, authentic leaders, at the heart of healthcare there is a critical need for individuals to have a heart to serve. According to Northouse (2016), servant leadership begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, and then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. Servant leadership takes place when leaders serve their fellow workers. Servant leaders develop people and help them flourish and servant leadership is believed by some to be the best leadership model for healthcare organizations (Belsky, 2016). By focusing on the ten principles of the Servant Leadership model, this manuscript offers healthcare workers, leaders, and followers a pathway to viewing their roles in patient care from a servant leadership perspective.

Keywords: Healthcare, Leadership, Servant

Crisis Leadership: A Working Review of Servant, Authentic, and Transformational Leadership

Crisis Leadership: A Working Review of Servant, Authentic, and Transformational Leadership

Marsha Evans | 2021

Abstract

Each crisis, whether human-made or natural, is unique and devastating in its own magnitude. Furthermore, each is unified in its consequences on leaders, managers, and followers as society tries to react ethically, effectively, and responsibly. This manuscript will demonstrate how crisis management and crisis leadership are differentiated from one another and how each is needed to work through the human and operational elements present within a crisis. Reviewing the principles of servant, authentic, and transformational leadership, we will reiterate the need for leaders to have the capacity to lead with confidence, honor, empathy, and courage while also being unselfish, loyal, and willing to learn and grow through adversity. The principles of servant leadership provide a platform for leaders to be human in the face of crisis. Leaders who choose to utilize servant-leadership principles during a crisis understand that each follower is unique and requires an individualized approach to keep the follower engaged. In doing so, leaders exhibit behaviors that reiterate the necessity of prioritizing the needs of followers. Without doing so, followers are less likely to reciprocate the belief that they need to take care of the organization. Of the leadership failures of the twentieth century, much of the attention has been devoted to leaders who were deceitful, calculated, destructive, and an overall mockery of their true selves. Through self-development, authentic leaders acquire a deeper awareness and understanding of their true selves. Subsequently, authentic leaders develop the capacity to identify and cope with unique stressors found in chaotic environments. Authentic leadership reiterates the belief that authenticity is key to ensuring followers know they are cared for and empowered to respond during a crisis. Without authenticity, followers are unlikely to follow the leader, thus tempting the leader to use coercion and manipulation to motivate followers during a crisis. The very nature of a crisis indicates that leaders will not have time to make friends or gain followers’ trust. By using transformational leadership principles, leaders can create a culture that focuses on respect, trust, care, and empowering followers while also ensuring a strong vision, purpose, and direction are established for the organization. In doing so, leaders solicit follower engagement, commitment, and create meaning for the follower role. The end goal for leaders, followers, managers, and stakeholders is to use the elements presented to identify the strategies, knowledge, and skills necessary to prepare for a crisis, survive the chaos, and emerge stronger than when the crisis began.

Bringing the Ministry to the Industry: Mirroring Christ in Work

Bringing the Ministry to the Industry: Mirroring Christ in Work

Tomorrow Allen-Collins | 2021

Abstract

Most of us ask, at some point or another, why we are created. Whether we ask God, others, or wonder, our purpose is something that intrigues each of us at some point in our lives. Perhaps it is a coincidence that many of us tend to inquire about our purpose at work, and maybe it’s not. Work is an intentional fabric in each of our lives. Logic and connection don’t need an invitation for most people to feel fulfilled. However, the perceived absence of logic and connection tends to make us feel useless and lost, especially relative to our work. As Christians, our job is much bigger than us, whether we see the initial connection or not. Not only does God expect us to work, but as a representative of him, we are required to lead in whatever work we do.

The book, Bringing the Ministry to the Industry: Mirroring Christ in Work, provides Christians in the workplace with a base to fulfill the inquiry of why we’re here on earth, our role, and how we can successfully perform that role in daily work. Insights about leadership and service are shared and connected to the life of Christ while he walked the earth. The distinction made between Christians and non-Christians in the workplace is Christ alone. Our clothes look the same, our jobs appear similar, and even our sentiments match. However, because of Christ, the outcome and display of our day-to-day tasks are distinct. Acknowledging that our walk with God at work can be challenging yet successful is the overall theme. Practical insights and guidance are provided to help Christians successfully navigate the workspace after we say “I do” to God and his master plan. This book provides biblical and modern examples of leadership at work despite the job title.

Keywords: Leadership, Work, Purpose, Transformation, Service

A Curriculum in Christian Leadership Development

A Curriculum in Christian Leadership Development

Lois Anderson | 2021

Abstract

Every organization has the potential for growth and success; the key is practical leadership. Effective leadership is the most crucial element of success in organizations. Senior-level leaders in successful organizations have argued the need for effective leadership at the organization’s top tiers. However, studies show that leadership is paramount at all levels of the organization in the most effective strategies. The Church is no different. Churches need effective leadership.

Except for Senior Pastors and those with scripturally-based qualifications, individuals are selected or elected for ministry assignments and lay leadership roles based on various reasons, often without formal training or education in leadership. In comparison, those appointed to the most senior leadership positions in the Church have frequently had some formal ministry training or education experience. Often those at other levels of leadership within the Church have not. Most lay leaders do not attend seminary. Even with formal education, seminaries and divinity schools emphasize biblical and theological education, with a single leadership course or two offered as an elective. Undoubtedly, effective leadership is a critical element to church success, and all leaders at every level of the organization can impact that success.

This project aims to develop and facilitate a leadership development course to train local church leaders in effective leadership principles and promote a leadership development culture within the local Church. It consists of eight ready-to-teach modules, presented as individual classes or a two-day seminar. The modules will provide participants with fundamental leadership and leadership development lessons, examining theory, style, followership, communication, team building, and coaching. They are engaging and interactive sessions applicable across leadership levels. Information is included to provide the facilitator or instructor with the objectives and instructions for each module, PowerPoint presentations, and recommended discussion questions.

This course was offered at Dominion Leadership University, an affiliate of Kingdom Worship Center, located in Towson, MD.