Running head: LEADERSHIP REFLECTION SHEET 1

Leadership Reflection Sheet

Laura Reiter

Loyola University Chicago

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Leadership Artifact: Reflective Leadership Competence

Leadership Reflection Sheet

Using a case study provided by my Leadership professor, I reflected on and analyzed the

decisions made by Texas A&M leadership before, during, and after a bonfire collapse that killed

numerous students. Policy decisions around student safety are constantly at issue in colleges and

universities. In the past there have been many unwise decisions made by those in leadership

positions that contributed to injury or fatality on college campuses. It is important, then, to

reflect on some of these past mistakes so that moving forward I can make better informed

choices.

Prior to my evaluation of the bonfire case, I defined, critiqued, and reconstructed adaptive

and authentic leadership. From there I applied these two leadership theories to the bonfire case.

Learning about the evolution of leaders and leadership theory has provided me with a framework

within which to view differing leadership choices. Given the same information and

circumstances, it is very possible that I will make a different choice than another person in the

same position simply because of a different philosophy of leadership.

Even though I concluded that I would have made different decisions than the Texas

A&M president prior to the bonfire collapse, his commitment to transparency with the parents,

students, and community was ethically sound. Comparing the actions of the Texas A&M

president with those of the leadership at Harvard after the murder-suicide, it is clear that

transparency is not the easy choice. To be transparent, especially after a disaster when mistakes

have been made, is challenging because it does not protect the image of the university in the

short-term. However, by choosing the more difficult path of transparency, leaders effect change

within the culture that allowed such a disaster to happen and prevent future tragedies.
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Including a multitude of voices in leadership decisions is also important. Many times the

perspectives of women or minorities are not fully represented. Empowering others to speak up

and share their concerns and ideas is an important leadership skill. In order for those in

leadership to make the best choices, it is important to move away from homogenous thinking and

listen to diverse opinions. As the bonfire case shows, Aggie culture and tradition took

precedence over student safety. I will continue to critically assess my thinking in order to ensure

that I do not become complacent to the status quo. My goal as a leader is to promote social

justice and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of everyone at the university.