Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
I have never been drawn to the idea that leadership is mainly about confidence. Confidence can be useful, but on its own it is thin. I have never been a “fake it till you make it” kind of person. When I become aware of a gap in my knowledge or ability, I would rather address it than try to hide it.
That is why, later in life, I chose to do two Masters degrees. I was not chasing qualifications for their own sake. I wanted to lead with substance.
The first was a Masters in Professional Education with a focus on online learning. By that stage I had worked as both a computer programmer and a university lecturer, and the degree helped me bring those parts of my experience together. It gave me a clearer framework for understanding my work.
The second was a Masters in Tertiary Education and Management. I had recently started as Academic Director at my university and knew I was out of my depth. I needed more than instinct and goodwill. I needed to understand the role and the institution more deeply. That degree gave me the frameworks and confidence to do that.
Looking back, the real decision was not simply to study more. It was to respond to responsibility by growing into it. Those degrees gave me knowledge and a better way to lead. They also opened doors I was neither seeking nor expecting.
The Afterword 
Leave a comment