Being allowed to take a class that centers around female directors has made me retain the necessary mode of confidence to not only build on my strengths but to also help me envision a formidable future in which my intersectional identity fuels a sense of power in the spaces that I immerse myself in. In terms of individual strengths, I have always considered myself a good writer, though sometimes I lacked confidence in my ability to write. These insecure feelings still resembled the feelings that I had at the beginning of this course. It was not until the visual cinematic aspects of a film through a female-directed lens helped me claim and affirm these strengths as my own. This newly attained knowledge of women being the ones who are behind the camera lens and making the executive decision of putting a female protagonist at the center of a narrative truly inspired me. More importantly, getting to see the stories that were portrayed throughout these various films has consequently allowed me to see a recurring incorporated element that has encompassed itself as a common theme that I plan on adapting to my reality. Living in one’s sincerity without fear progresses an oriented version of yourself that can fully allow you to foresee your capabilities at its fullest. The female protagonists that I saw throughout these films struggle with sincerity with themselves at the beginning of each movie, however, there is a progression that allows for them to realize that they should live in authenticity to fully realize their infinite capabilities. When it comes to my interpretation and application in my own life, it has made me realize that I am a great writer and that I should be proud of my intersectional identity because they are strengths that I can utilize to further my capabilities.
Through this culmination of strengths, identity, and power, the developed growth that influences all these three key elements were able to be reinforced through this class and has contributed to my understanding of leadership. My comprehension of leadership before taking this class was based on the assumption that leadership cannot manifest itself in multiple ways, other than the assertive vocal type of leader. This class has been able to help me realize that strengths, identity, and power can reinforce you as a leader if you can live your life through a sincere lens. It can not only make one realize personal capabilities but it gives you the self-esteem to fully conduct yourself as a leader. Having the utmost capacity in your leadership fulfills not only the self-reflective aspect but it gives off an energy of self-assurance that can rub off on those who encounter your space. Overall, taking this LDR course has significantly improved my relationship between my strengths, power, and identity, to the point where self-affirmation is increasingly rectifying my coveted capabilities.
