A500.1.5.RB_MedinaM

Intellectual perseverance is the need to learn more about a subject despite the opposition of others, nonconstructive criticism, difficulties, frustrations, and obstacles encountered. It’s the need to struggle with unresolved questions over a period of time in order to answer and gain greater understanding of the subject at hand (criticalthinking.org). In other words, it’s the willingness and need to learn more.

Intellectual perseverance will be very important during my graduate studies of Leadership. For the past 2 years, it has been my need and goal to understand what leadership is all about. In my experience, I have been handed tasks of leadership positions in which the results have always been great. Unfortunately, my personal fear of failure or misunderstandings of what is expected of me as a leader has held me back from various promotions. Various supervisors have told me that I am capable of accomplishing their tasks as supervisors easier or better than what they care to do. So why do I fear that I will not have the capacity of fulfilling all the requirements or tasks performed by a supervisor? Some of these tasks I have already taken the initiative and responsibility to fulfill on my own.

As you can see, I have already begun to use intellectual perseverance to fulfill my need to understand and learn about leadership and what does it take to become a good leader. I have taken the initial step to attend graduate courses, in which I have enrolled through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the Masters of Science in Leadership program. To me personally, this program will allow me to gain a deeper understanding of what is the meaning of leadership. I will be able to learn through other people’s experience and outcomes of the issues they have encountered as leaders; get into scholarly discussions about leadership; what is expected of a leader; how can a leader overcome everyday frustrations or difficulties presented in the workplace; and even how can a leader motivate others to take on more tasks and responsibilities. It’s like this quote by H. Jackson Brown: “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins – not through strength but by perseverance.”

Taking this quote into observation, a good leader must be able to understand, define, analyze, diagnose, solve problems, lead others, and more. Others observe a leader for guidance, whether it is for projects, problems or issues. A good leader accepts his or her shortcomings by learning about them and by later turning them into strength or an opportunity to learn and persevere in the tasks at hand. A leader continues to push, continues carrying on with the tasks given over coming any frustrations or obstacles encountered.

As I progress in my studies, I’m sure I will encounter many frustrations and obstacles while learning about leadership. In case one gets frustrated just take a deep breath, think things through and press on. But I must warn you, if one feels trapped or unable to answer unsettled questions, seek help! At least that’s what I do when I feel lost while searching for directions to a restaurant. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from those around you. I can assure you, the reader, that my willingness and need to learn about leadership and all its aspects will not stop here.