Global Competence

Develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organizational implications of issues affecting modern global organizations and demonstrate an appreciate of diverse perspectives and an ability to function effectively in global situations.

ARTIFACTS

REFLECTION

IDS 805 Global Challenges is a cognate course within the MPS OL program. I first became aware of my distinct lack of global competence during LDRS 801 as the case narrative and teaching notes project began to unfold. I selected IDS 805 as an elective because I wanted to increase my global and cultural awareness. While the course was not as anticipated it did provide significant learning opportunities regarding global awareness.

The course introduces seven strategic areas of future global challenges. These challenges include population, resources, technology, information, economies, conflict, and governance. Being a concentration course for Master of Liberal Studies Global Studies the class included a professor and students who had experiences very different from my own, with world travel, education, journalism, and residency outside of the United States. These experiences brought unique perspectives to discussions and interactions throughout the semester. I greatly appreciated the diverse viewpoints encountered while conversing with my fellow students and Dr. Hamlin.

Included here as an artifact is the final integrated discussion board post for IDS 805. The purpose of the post was to outline our personal experience with the three significant works read, discussed, and studied during the course: 2052 by Jorgen Randers, (Chelsey Green 2012); Factfulness by Hans Rosling, (Flatiron Books, 2018); and Deadliest Enemy by Michael T. Osterholm and Mark Olshaker, (Little Brown, 2017).

All of the courses within the MPS OL program have been enlightening; however, IDS 805 was the one course which created a greater understanding of and appreciation for the world.

While previously included as an artifact within this ePortfolio; the learning objective of Global Competence and expression of my educational journey would be inadequately expressed if the second artifact was not included in this section. The case narrative outlined for LDRS 801 while condensed, abbreviated, and “simplified” is one from recent professional and personal experience. I am Britany and this was my leadership failure as a result of (at least in part) my cultural ignorance. The experience along with developing the case narrative and teaching notes provided a recognition of my lack of cultural and global literacy. This awareness resulted in the decision to select cognate IDS 805 as part of my MPS OL journey.

Since creating the case narrative and teaching notes I have engaged in increasing my cultural awareness. This engagement has served me well as I recently made an employment change which resulted in cultural interactions both within my direct team and the leadership team of which I am a part. I am confident I would not have been selected for my current position without the cultural and global awareness gained as a result of the MPS OL program at FHSU.

Moving on to LDRS 802 and the scholarly journal article critique. LDRS 802 was my second course within the MPS OL program and in my FHSU education journey directly followed LDRS 801. As global competence was fresh on my mind and in conjunction with my determination to continue to increase my aptitude in this study I selected the scholarly journal article by Conlon (2004) A Review of Informal Learning Literature, Theory and Implications for Practice in Developing Global Pofessional Competence for critique.

During critique of this article (and during LDRS 801) I found that my attitudes about the world were very limited and extremely biased. While I do not perceive myself as fearful of “accommodating new experiences” (Conlon, p. 284) I also have not been "open" to them. Additionally, I am high on the spectrum of “naivete” and “ethnocentrism” (p. 284) when considering cross cultural awareness. As Conlon (2004) describes in order to improve global and cultural awareness an individual must determine where they currently fit within these dimensions in order to determine what experiences are necessary to improve their global perceptions. These realizations were strong drivers towards my selection of IDS 805 as an elective during my program journey.

Finally included for review is an article summary from my research project in SOC 621 Advanced Sociological Research which is a concentration course within the MPS OL program. The selected research topic was women in the workforce and the topic encompassed women globally. This topic is of particular personal interest because I am a woman within the workforce which exposes me to personal experience with the challenges and disparities faced by women within a workforce which has historically been dominated by men.

Researching and understanding challenges faced by women within the workforce is important to society for several reasons. Over the past several decades the number of women within the workforce has substantially increased. This increase has provided insights into the disparities women face within a workforce, which has primarily been comprised of men. With women now composing more than 50% of the workforce, it is important for society to recognize the disparities which exist, as awareness is the first step in correcting these societal based differences. It is valuable for society to recognize and take steps to mitigate challenges faced by women because failure to do so results in loss of talent and creativity which women bring to the workforce. In today’s competitive global business world, talent and creativity may be the only edge an organization holds over its competition.

Effective leadership is a lifetime pursuit. As identified I have continued opportunity to increase my global competence and cultural awareness. In consideration of that pursuit and continued opportunity the following goal is included in my personal development plan:

Goal:

By the end of 2024 develop my global literacy by engaging in a minimum of one culturally diverse activity per week which will expose me to different cultures, perspectives, and ideas. I will study and learn about a minimum of four cultures other than my own through various activities such as continuing with my advanced educational pursuits, community education opportunities, engaging in social media and community event offerings. Successful outcome of this goal will reflect attainment of social identity with the various cultural factions within my currently assigned team.

References

Conlon, T. J. (2004). A review of informal learning literature, theory and implications for practice in developing global professional competence. Journal of European Industrial Training, 28(2-4), 283-295.

Osterholm, M. T. & Olshaker, M. (2017). Deadliest Enemy. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN: 978-0-316-34369-5.

Randers, J. (2012). 2052: A global forecast for the next forty years. Chelsea Green.

Rosling, Hans. (2018). FACTFULNESS. New York, NY: Flatiron.