SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — University of Missouri Extension has launched a new self-guided online class named “21 Qualities of a Leader” designed to help individuals develop personal leadership qualities.
The class has 21 sessions (each takes about one hour to complete) and costs $50 per person to enroll. Individuals must register for the course on the MU Extension website. Putting the name of the class in the website search bar is the quickest way to find the enrollment page.
The course is in Canvas and uses a self-guided format. The first class was offered in April and May 2020 via Zoom and had 198 people from across Missouri register.
“We know that leadership truly develops from the inside out,” said David Burton, course facilitator and a community development specialist with MU Extension. “If you become the leader you should be on the inside, you will also become the leader you want to be on the outside.”
Several community development specialists with MU Extension take turns teaching different sessions online. Each session focuses on a quality outlined in John C. Maxwell’s book “21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader.”
“This is a short book with 21 chapters on key leadership skills. But this book needs to be absorbed, not just read, to learn about yourself and how to lead effectively,” said Burton.
Burton says few people in the last half-century have changed as many lives as John C. Maxwell, and that this book can make a positive change in a person’s leadership direction.
“A new habit is formed in 21 days,” said Burton. “If you enroll in this class, you will get the most out of it by reading one chapter at a time and then watching the session videos and joining in the online discussion.”
Other MU Extension community development specialists that teach a class session include Jackie Spainhower (Harrison County), Patricia Barrett (Miller County), Pam Duitsman (Christian County), Johanna Reed Adams (Boone County), David Burton (Greene County), Mistti Ritter (Jefferson County) and workforce development specialist Amy Patillo (Greene County).
University of Missouri Extension programs focus on the high-priority needs of Missourians to improve lives, communities and economies by providing relevant, responsive and reliable educational solutions. MU Extension programs are open to all. More information on this topic is available online at extension.missouri.edu.
— David Burton, University of Missouri Extension
For more news from Missouri, click here.