In this guest blog I am sharing the wisdom of Brad Whitehorn, Associate Director at CLSR Inc. I hope you find this blog helpful.
Back to school season is here again. Despite the TV and internet adds from Staples, Walmart, and Amazon, it did not begin in early July! As I sit writing this post from my home office, I can hear the familiar noises of the schoolyard, and the mid-morning recess bell. It got me thinking about how many Septembers I went back to school, and started thinking about my time a York U where I spent a year with an undeclared major. One of the best parts of taking a liberal arts degree was being able to take a variety of electives. I sat through theatre appreciation, photography, weather & climate, Bolshevik film history, and a few others I won’t admit to in print. I still believe that electives are just as important as the core courses; they opened doors I didn’t even know were there, and got to sample worlds outside my comfort zone. It got me thinking, if the four Personality Dimensions were electives, what curious and unusual courses would end up in the catalogue?
BLU 1001 – The Philosophy of Connection
An exploration of meaning, purpose, and the art of bringing people together. This course dives into the big questions of life, the search for authentic relationships, and the role of empathy in shaping communities. Expect to leave with a deeper sense of who you are, and how you fit into the bigger picture.
On the first day, desks are arranged in a circle and it takes the entire period to go through introductions. The syllabus is light on deadlines but heavy on reflection journals, group projects, and meaningful conversations. Don’t expect exams; grading is based on inspiration, collaboration, and how well you contribute to the collective vibe of the class. By mid-semester, the course transforms into a full-fledged social movement, complete with a hashtag campaign and at least one bake sale.
GRN 1001 – Critical Thinking and Systems Analysis
A deep dive into asking the hard questions and building elegant solutions. Students will sharpen analytical thinking, explore complex systems, and develop frameworks that make sense of chaos. Be prepared to question assumptions, challenge authority, and occasionally dismantle a process just to see how it works.
The syllabus is a single sheet of paper with one word on it, “Why?” Day one involves a heated debate about whether that question even needs a question mark, and should the “W” be capitalized? Over the semester, students dismantle existing systems just to reassemble them more efficiently, covering everything from cafeteria line-ups to the laws of thermodynamics. In the middle of a late-night whiteboard session, the 42 students in the class collectively stumble upon the answer to life, the universe, and everything.
GLD 1001 – Quality Systems and Process Optimization
A practical course in structure, efficiency, and the beauty of doing things right. Students will learn how to design reliable systems, create detailed processes, and optimize workflows for maximum effectiveness. This is the elective for anyone who secretly loves a good checklist and believes that punctuality is a virtue.
The first class begins with a neatly bound, laminated, tabbed, and colour-coded syllabus, followed by a thorough review of classroom rules, building protocols, parking lot safety, and a fire drill. Weekly assignments include perfectly aligned project timelines, step-by-step checklists, and punctuality exercises. While students might roll their eyes at the level of detail, they secretly enjoy how smooth everything runs. The final project not only stays on schedule, it finishes early, and the instructor is able to check “finished early” off their list. No one is surprised at how satisfying it is to make the final check on the syllabus; “complete course.”
ORG 1001 – Innovation, Adaptability, and Creative Problem-Solving
A hands-on workshop in improvisation, risk-taking, and thinking on your feet. This course is about learning by doing, failing quickly, and trying again with even bigger ideas. Students will experiment with unconventional approaches, embrace flexibility, and discover that breakthroughs often come from a little chaos.
On day one, the instructor arrives just on time, but out of breath, and announces there is no syllabus and promptly holds class off-campus. Sessions are unpredictable, ranging from scavenger hunts to inventing life hacks for surviving 8 a.m. lectures. Attendance is technically optional, though missing a class risks missing something amazing. Grades are based on participation, bold ideas, and occasional audience applause. Somewhere between the impromptu debates and field trips, every student learns how to juggle; both literally and metaphorically. Course feedback shows this is consistently the most polarizing course the school offers.
While you won’t see Quality Systems and Process Optimization sandwiched between Theatre Appreciation and Bolshevik Film History on my transcript, imagining these electives is a good reminder that learning takes all kinds of forms. Some classes push you to dig deeper, others keep you on track, a few drive you to make change for the better, and the rest keep things interesting when you least expect it. If nothing else, it proves the whole point of a liberal arts degree; the best education is never just about the core requirements. Because it’s the electives that sneak up on you and end up mattering the most.
Retrieved from https://personalitydimensions.com/electives-for-every-personality/
Certified Personality Dimensions Facilitator Tammy Adams, loves to problem solve, inspire and motivate others who are ready and committed to change. Tammy has spent over 30 years in the field of education and as a Certified Life/Executive Coach Tammy teaches individuals to challenge and conquer their limiting beliefs and insecurities to create the life of their choosing. As a Grief Recovery Method Specialist Tammy understands that unresolved grief can limit an individual’s capacity for happiness and is gifted at supporting individuals through the pain and isolation cause by an emotional loss, of any kind, to a place of happiness they believed no longer existed. A Tammy client testimonial, “Tammy helped me unpack the baggage and put a smile on my face in the process. It’s a rare quality for someone to fully listen without judgement yet still steer you in the right direction.”
To learn more about Intuitive Understanding please visit www.tadams.ca or contact Tammy by email at tdadams@rogers.com