(Captain) Adam Ward
Program/specialization: MA (Leadership)
Position before starting the Lang program: Officer Commanding Training Company, Canadian Forces Military Police Academy.
Current title: Officer Commanding Borden Region, Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.
Can you tell us how your degree at Lang has helped prepare you to be a leader in your organization/ industry?
"Before taking this program, I had only been exposed to military leaders. This program provided a fresh view on leadership and taught me new ways of doing things. Learning from the course material, my instructors, and my fellow students, I discovered a whole new perspective to leadership, placing me in a much better position to lead change within my organization. Applying the skills from the program, our team has led many positive changes to the CFNIS Borden regional office, being described as unrecognizable from just a period of two years."
How did you find the online learning component of the program? Was it beneficial to be able to continue working at your job during your studies?
"With the ability to work full time while completing courses, you get the opportunity to directly apply the material learned in real time as you learn it. I was able to tailor my course research to issues directly related to my job. For example, I wrote a paper on how I would implement specific change at my organization relating to investigative accountability, and then I successfully implemented the change I had written about. Having researched different leadership approaches to implement change that would fit with my situation helped placed me in the perfect position when I was ready to act. The courseware and my work were mutually beneficial to each other. I took to class what I did at work, and vice versa."
Can you offer one piece of advice for a student that is about to start their MA Leadership at Lang?
"I have two pieces of advice for prospective students to the program. First, remember to enjoy yourself. The program is intensive and can feel overwhelming at times. Remind yourself why you enrolled in this program and view the assignments as fun learning activities, not chores that need to be completed. Second, create bonds and network with your peers in your cohort. Your fellow students will have varied backgrounds and experiences that can be leveraged to improve your learning and leadership, and serve as lifelong contacts that can help in your professional and personal life."
