Using Popular Culture Resources to Build Affective Leadership Skills

Abstract

This paper discusses an autodidactic approach for strengthening one’s leadership skill set, in an informal, low-cost manner through intentional consumption of, and reflection on, popular culture resources. Popular culture is rife with learning opportunities for affective skill building to be used alongside more formal leadership trainings and professional development. This paper provides an approach that applies popular culture examples to strengthen one’s leadership skills, such as empathy, listening, giving feedback, and dismantling biases to create a positive and inclusive work environment. Drawing on books, podcasts, television shows, and movies, this approach matches engagement with all types of media to intentional reflection to strengthen one’s leadership skills.