In the article “Only Connect…”, William Cronon writes about the qualities gained through a liberal arts education. Cronon (1998) believed, that best type of education, is based off “nurturing human talents to expand the amount of freedom”, experienced in a society (p. 1). Even though not many people really understand how a liberal arts education work, it instills values that make effective leaders.
Liberal education has changed quite a lot throughout history. This education was once solely for aristocrat males that focus on bettering themselves, to separate themselves from the population. But today the liberal arts are about “a greater range of human talents and a much more inclusive number of human beings” which teaches students about the …show more content…
Cronon’s vision, of what a liberal arts leader embodies, is similar what I believe a leader should be. In my mind, a leader should be organized, confident, flexible, self-critical, and can empathize which is like what is on Cronon’s list, though not in the same wording. I believe that a good leader should be organized and Cronon says that liberal arts educated student should, “understand how to get things done in the world” (Cronon, 1998, 4). Without knowing what to do next, nothing is done effectively or efficiently. Cronon (1998) sees a liberal arts student, as a person who can “solve a variety of puzzles and problems” (p.4). I also see a leader as someone who is as someone who can change plans quickly, is the situation calls for it. Life does not always go as planned, so a good leader should be to shift gears and have another plan. For a leader to be effective, they must be in touch with reality. Cronon (1998) believes that a liberally educated student should practice self-criticism. Nobody is perfect and a good leader should realize that because nobody is perfect. A good leader should be able to look back and find their mistakes, then find ways to fix those mistakes. There were two traits that were excluded from Cronon’s list, but I believe should be on it. The traits were confidence and empathy. I believe that confidence should be included in his list because for a leader to be respected, he/she should be able to show that she knows what she’s doing. Lastly empathy is a trait that everyone needs, but especially leaders. Life does not always go as plan and a leader should understand. When leaders brush off other’s hardships, it weakens the level of respect of that at leader. But in the end good leader should be a strong individual, and a liberal arts education creates strong individuals. In a traditional model of school,
Liberal education has changed quite a lot throughout history. This education was once solely for aristocrat males that focus on bettering themselves, to separate themselves from the population. But today the liberal arts are about “a greater range of human talents and a much more inclusive number of human beings” which teaches students about the …show more content…
Cronon’s vision, of what a liberal arts leader embodies, is similar what I believe a leader should be. In my mind, a leader should be organized, confident, flexible, self-critical, and can empathize which is like what is on Cronon’s list, though not in the same wording. I believe that a good leader should be organized and Cronon says that liberal arts educated student should, “understand how to get things done in the world” (Cronon, 1998, 4). Without knowing what to do next, nothing is done effectively or efficiently. Cronon (1998) sees a liberal arts student, as a person who can “solve a variety of puzzles and problems” (p.4). I also see a leader as someone who is as someone who can change plans quickly, is the situation calls for it. Life does not always go as planned, so a good leader should be to shift gears and have another plan. For a leader to be effective, they must be in touch with reality. Cronon (1998) believes that a liberally educated student should practice self-criticism. Nobody is perfect and a good leader should realize that because nobody is perfect. A good leader should be able to look back and find their mistakes, then find ways to fix those mistakes. There were two traits that were excluded from Cronon’s list, but I believe should be on it. The traits were confidence and empathy. I believe that confidence should be included in his list because for a leader to be respected, he/she should be able to show that she knows what she’s doing. Lastly empathy is a trait that everyone needs, but especially leaders. Life does not always go as plan and a leader should understand. When leaders brush off other’s hardships, it weakens the level of respect of that at leader. But in the end good leader should be a strong individual, and a liberal arts education creates strong individuals. In a traditional model of school,