Lessons in Leadership: Scholar Stories
Our goal is to provide a forum for discussion about leadership in challenging times.
Why now? The physical isolation necessary to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus has created a host of second order effects and impacts to the Vanderbilt community. Students are contending with a sudden shift to distance learning, living away from campus, and a sudden stop to athletics and extracurricular activities. In addition, each day brings new changes cancellations of here to fore sacrosanct events like commencement. Staff and faculty are having to creatively adapt to a virtual environment while maintaining standards and productivity. Finally, university leaders are having to make difficult decisions in an unpredictable environment.
Around the world, the impacts vary from inconvenience to life and death. For some, loneliness and boredom are the major challenges. For others, disrupted livelihoods and lost income threaten their health and well-being. For health care workers and first responders, long, stressful workdays and the risk of personal exposure are both taxing and dangerous. For institutional and government leaders, hard choices to protect life amid an ever-changing situation yield a host of adverse repercussions. Every decision and non-decision faces sniping who are not accountable.
Military service members often contend with situations where the same human emotions come into play. These are their stories—comments are welcome.
Building Resilience as a Special Forces Soldier
Jun. 10, 2021—By Aaron Jones, U.S. Army, Nursing ’21 After working on small teams in the U.S. Army Special Forces, I learned that good self-care practices are a critical part of being a productive team member. On the team we often pride ourselves on our quiet professionalism and mission focus; It is a competitive environment that channels...
Successful Transition to New Phases of Life
Apr. 29, 2021—By Jake Epstein, U.S. Army, Law ’23 When the spring semester ends, many students will graduate. Students “graduate” when they successfully complete some course of study or training. Congratulations are in order for students who have worked hard to finish their courses and earn their degrees. But to graduate is not only to be finished...
Empathy: A Leader’s Greatest Skill
Jan. 12, 2021—By Amy Herink, U.S. Army, Nursing ’22 Empathetic leaders are the best leaders. Having, mastering, and utilizing empathy has a major impact on workplace environments, teams, and individuals. Many are quick to dismiss empathy as a soft skill that is unnecessary in the military. But empathy means that you can understand and appreciate the needs...
I’ll be home for Christmas
Dec. 18, 2020—By Caitlin Jones, U.S. Army, Nursing ’22 If anyone is feeling particularly at home in the ambiguity of a pandemic these days, it’s the military. Soldiers have learned to comfortably exist, if not thrive, in uncertainty. Will my orders come through? Am I coming home this week? Will I get staff duty on Christmas? AND...
Veterans on Veterans’ Day
Nov. 11, 2020—By Joe Payne, U.S. Army, Owen ’22 For the past eight years, I did not fully appreciate the significance of Veterans Day. Sure, I participated in Veteran’s Day events, spoke about the importance of reflection, and appreciated the increased volume of “thank you for your service” comments I received. But to be completely honest, Veterans...
Embracing Uncertainty & Applying Army Readiness
Nov. 6, 2020—By: Evan Kowalski, U.S. Army, Law ’23 If there is one thing I was certain of while I was in the Army, it was uncertainty. I never liked this aspect of the military and neither did my wife. Upon reflection, I was reminded that being able to thrive in uncertainty is what makes our Army...
Leading Oneself
Oct. 29, 2020—This interactive panel explores everyday practices for self-improvement and best practices for preparing to transition into a leadership role. Key themes addressed are: Traits and skills to be more effectively lead others. How to transition into an already established team or organization. Balancing self-confidence and self-awareness. Leveraging your strengths vs. improving your weaknesses. What should...
Women in Leadership Roles
Oct. 19, 2020—The panel of female scholars representing the U.S. Army, Navy, and Tennessee National Guard share their experiences as female leaders in the military.
Experience vs Authority
Sep. 28, 2020—In collaboration with the Graduate Leadership Institute, Bass Military Scholars, explore how different combinations of experience and authority can affect leadership strategy and team performance. Key themes addressed are listed below: Recognizing the difference between experience and authority. Identifying and leveraging informal leaders in an organization. Strategies to make an impact and earn respect despite...
Back to Basics
Jun. 25, 2020—By: Alyssa Hartley, U.S. Navy, Law ’22 Tuesday night cooking dinner and I hear the light ring of my phone telling me I have an email waiting. It’s late and we’re watching the news reports roll in about COVID spreading across the US, however it doesn’t cross my mind that when I left law school...
Rethinking Routine
Jun. 16, 2020—By: Craig Kuphall, U.S. Army, Owen ’21 I hated routines. It seemed like a lazy and ineffective way to go through life. I preferred the idea of being mentally agile and seizing opportunities that pop up – without having to break myself loose from a physical routine or a frame of mind. As a pilot...
Motivation and Mapping Success
May. 22, 2020—By: Matt Smith, Navy, Medicine ’23 I will be a state champion. These are the words I had written and posted in my room as a high school senior. When I had downtime in class, I scribbled the sentence on notepads as a constant reminder of the goal I had set. The realm of athletics...
Submarines & COVID-19
May. 22, 2020—By: Ken Barnes, U.S. Navy, Owen ’21 As the SCUBA diving officer and safety swimmer aboard my submarine, I was the last person topside and responsible for closing the forward hatch for the final time until our crew resurfaced weeks (or sometimes months) later. I would check the area for debris, wipe down the seal,...
Stress Management: When Life Feels Like Combat
May. 15, 2020—Stress can make life feel like a war zone but with successful stress management skills, you can with the battle! Bass Scholars recently met to discuss stress management skills that helped them navigate the rigors of military training and how you can apply them to your life.