🔎Activity: Transferable Skills (Exploratory only): Example

Develop Examples of Your Transferable Skills

Example

Here is an example illustrating the MA in Leadership course with the transferable skill, collaboration.

LEAD527: Communications and Leadership in Groups and Teams

Course Description

Examines the theory and practice of leading productive teams and of facilitating groups. Fosters appreciation of students' abilities to communicate effectively in working relationships in support of productive collaboration. Develops students' expertise in promoting effective decision-making, optimizing the benefits of diversity, planning and implementing of team goals, and assessing of outcomes. Promotes awareness and application of ethical principles and concepts. Encourages a systemic perspective to ensure fluid communication with the immediate organizational environment and knowledge of influences of the environment on the team.

S/T (situation/context)/(tasks): One of the courses I completed in the Master of Arts in Leadership program was Communications and Leadership in Groups and Teams. We were required to form teams of four and develop an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) training package for staff at a not-for-profit organization within two weeks. I wanted to take the lead because this was my area of expertise; working in this specialization for 20+ years. However, one of my team-mates wanted to lead the project.

A (actions): I stepped down and let my team-mate lead. I observed, asked questions, offered encouragement, and redirected the team when we went off course. Also, I compiled the team’s written drafts for the project and wrote the final training document.

R (results): I learned new EDI content. Our group obtained an A on the project. The professor thought so highly of our package, she asked for our permission to share it with one of her colleagues who was an Executive Director of a not-for-profit.

S (skills demonstrated): Collaboration skills demonstrated: active listening, clear and concise communication - verbally and online through Microsoft Teams and in writing though email. Contribution to the team - wrote the final training document.