What is Self-Leadership? FIU Professor Mihaela Plugarasu Enlightens BOLD
This Tuesday, November 17th, BOLD was joined by FIU professor, Mihaela Plugarasu M.S. to lead a workshop on self-leadership. Known by many BOLD members, Mihaela is a professor for the communications department on the undergraduate level as well as a proud graduate of the Global Strategic Master’s program where she also currently teaches. Not only an instructor for FIU, she is also a parenting coach expert as well as a published author. Mihaela talked to BOLD members about the ever-important topic of self-leadership, a subject she now teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Professor Mihaela began her presentation by introducing the concept that self-leadership equals self-awareness. In talking about the connection between the two, she explained that the constant self-dialogue and curiosity that comes with self-awareness leads to self-leadership. Professor Mihaela also explained the connection between self-leadership and the ability to consciously question. “In order to be the leader of our lives, we need to know how our mind works,” she said. Debunking the idea that most thoughts come from an active state of mind, Mihaela explained how 90% of thoughts actually come from the subconscious mind.
“People who lead their life do not leave things to chance they do not take what is given to them, they create their own lives,” said professor Mihaela when talking about the connection between self-leadership and self-accountability. A large part of becoming a leader is being able to take responsibility for one’s actions and the changes one desires to make. Self-leadership is a long and complex process that requires full intentionality but has the ability to change people’s lives for the better.
When talking about how taking the decision to embrace self-leadership has changed her life, professor Mihaela proclaims how it is one of the most rewarding things one can do. As someone who has been in the process of becoming a leader for more than 10 years, Mihaela holds her first published book as a testament to that journey. Despite the advice from the people in her life who told her it was not possible to write a book in 8 weeks, Mihaela used her knowledge in self-leadership to make it happen.
“I learned things that I will carry for the rest of my life because they go beyond college and your career, these skills are really personal to who you are and I can confidently say this is one of the best classes I have ever taken,” said Alejandra Chahine, BOLD Director of Public Relations, as she talked about professor Mihaela’s self-leadership class. Offered as an elective for the first time this fall semester, the special topics class is once again being offered for the Spring semester.
If you are interested in registering for Professor Mihaela’s Self-Leadership class click here to learn more and click here to check out her book!
Class information:
Undergrad: COM 4930
BOLD is a student-run strategic communications agency at Florida International University. Click here to learn more.
Written by: Alejandra Chahine, Director of Public Relations