Sea Expedition
Based on NOLS expedition leadership roles, in your opinion, which type of leadership is distinctly shown in the sea expedition? Give examples.
Within the framework of NOLS expedition leadership roles, distinct responsibilities were assigned to individuals, highlighting a structured approach to leadership. An illustration of this can be observed with the sea leaders taking charge by providing a detailed plan the night before departure, while the meal leaders assumed responsibility for meal preparation. Additionally, active followership was evident during meetings, where participants were encouraged to contribute their insights and collaborate with the designated leaders. Peer leadership emerged organically during the expedition, as group members collaborated in setting up tents and adjusting their positions to withstand strong winds. Furthermore, a sense of self-leadership permeated the expedition, as everyone took the initiative to identify ways in which they could contribute and be of assistance.
Refer to the expedition behaviors covered in NOLS 7 leadership skills, highlight which of the ONE behavior was demonstrated strongly and ONE behaviour which was lacking in our expedition. Provide examples.
A prominent aspect exhibited during the expedition was the alignment of Vision and Action. The leaders effectively conceptualized clear visions and successfully implemented them. Collaborative discussions among the leaders culminated in a well-executed plan for the expedition route. Conversely, a noticeable deficiency in our group dynamics was the lack of Self-awareness. This became evident when Mr. Hiap Luh pointed out instances where some members paddled ahead without waiting for others, highlighting a need for heightened awareness of individual actions within the team.
Share a positive expedition behavior to compliment and a negative behavior for improvement.
I want to commend a positive behavior during the expedition, which was when the leaders allowed those who were slower at kayaking to dictate the pace for the entire group. As the one setting the pace, I found it to be a morale boost, making the journey less strenuous and providing a sense of keeping up with the faster members. On the flip side, an area for improvement lies in the prevalent anxiety about our ability to execute certain skills. It seems that some of us harbor doubts about our capability to complete the entire expedition, likely stemming from the fact that, for most of us, it was our inaugural experience in a sea expedition.