WGU D253 TASK 1: VALUES-BASED LEADERSHIP TEMPLATE & GUIDELINES
D253 – Values-Based Leadership - Task 1 Template and Tips
NOTE: BEFORE submitting Task 1 - Insert Name and Student ID and Delete anything written in GREEN and
the corresponding links.
Insert your answer below the actual task statement/assignment and keep the task statement in place.
D253 - TASK 1: Becoming an Effective Values-Based Leader
Name:
Student ID:
A. Complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey using the “VIA Character Strengths Survey” web link, and
use the results of the survey to complete the following:
Note: Remember that this VIA Character Strengths Survey is not a test but rather a feedback tool. There
is no wrong answer, so respond genuinely. If you download a copy of your survey results, you will receive
a list of 24 items in order of your personal strengths, with the first five being your signature strengths
and the last five being your lesser strengths. Refer to the “D253 VIA Character Strength Survey
Instructions” document in the Supporting Document section for additional information on accessing the
survey.
1. Describe an experience in which you used one of your five signature strengths (i.e., the first five) from
the survey results to overcome a challenge.
Note: Consider experiences from a school, volunteer, personal, or professional seṄng.
Tip: You only need to use one of your five signature strengths, but be sure to discuss, in
sufficient detail, how this strength helped you to overcome a challenge in your real-life
experience
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A1.)
One of my top five signature strengths is kindness. I’ve been in many seṄngs and situations where
kindness goes a long way for some people. It can make a difference in how they feel about themselves
and in how I feel about myself. Years ago, I would volunteer at a womens and kids shelter that helps
with placement services, therapy services, and parenting classes. Some of the women were so defeated
and down that it was hard for them to see their worth. By always being kind, and always being non-
judgemental, I was able to make a difference for some of them, seeing their demeanor change and life
come back into their eyes. It helped me to have a beGer understanding the challenges some people
face, and to always remember to lead with kindness.
a. Explain how you could apply the strength identified in part A1 as a values-based leader in your new
position as the customer service manager from the scenario.
Tip: Be sure that you are using the same strength from section A1 for your response to
section A1a and focus on your role as manager.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A1a.)
In a new position as the cus tomer service manager, I would always remember to lead with kin dness for my
, employees. Understanding that everyone has challenges and issues they face in life, and working with them to lessen
those burdens and work towards our common goal, showing empathy and encouragement will allow them to focus
on their job performance to the best of their ability.
Describe an experience in which being stronger in one of your five lesser strengths (i.e., the last five) from the survey
results could have positively influenced the outcome.
Note: Consider experiences from a school, volunteer, personal, or professional seṄng.
Tip: Use on of your lesser strengths from section A1 and use a different example. Make sure
to explain how being beGer in that lesser strength would have positively changed the
outcome of your story.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2.)
One of my five lesser strengths is spirituality. I believe I have my own understanding of our higher purposes which
may not align with others beliefs. I could see where leading from a spiritual strength could have had a more direct
connection to some women and children who were more spiritual, and could have allowed them to overcome their
challenges and obstacles while feeling like they were better supported from a higher power as well.
b. Explain how improving the lesser strength identified in part A2 will help accelerate your values-
based leadership abilities in your new position as the customer service manager.
Tip: This is just like section A1a, except that you are now focusing on your lesser strength
from Section A2.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2a.)
By improving my lesser strength of spirituality and developing further in a new position as the
customer service manager, my leadership abilities would only grow due to an increased empathy
and understanding for my employees. Many people have their own spiritual belief, and being
aware and supporting them directly allows them to focus on our common goals at work.
c. List three actions you can take to grow in the area identified in part A2.
Tip: You can bullet or number your three responses. For each action, briefly describe how
that action will help you improve in the lesser strength you described in section A2.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2b.)
1. Self-awareness – Improving both my internal and external self awareness starts by recognizing my
spirituality may be different than others while still allowing an expression of spirituality increases and
improves this strength.
2. Self-confidence – By improving my education on spiritual matters, and my understanding of other religions
and belief systems, I will be able to confidently discuss such matters and grow my knowledge of spirituality.
3. Motvation – By increasing my motivation to identify and educate myself on my lesser spirituality strength, I
can increase my understanding of others and grow this into a strength instead of a weakness.
B. To set the tone for your new team, explain to them who you are as a values-based leader by doing the
following:
1. List your top three values as a values-based leader from the “List of Values” web link.
Note: When listing your top three values, consider those values you hold most important.
Tip: In this section you simply need to list your three values. There is no need to describe
your chosen values
1. Humor
2. Honesty
3. Kindness
a. Explain how you will use these values to serve the team and organization in the scenario.
Tip: It is in this section that you will describe how each of your chosen values will help the
D253 – Values-Based Leadership - Task 1 Template and Tips
NOTE: BEFORE submitting Task 1 - Insert Name and Student ID and Delete anything written in GREEN and
the corresponding links.
Insert your answer below the actual task statement/assignment and keep the task statement in place.
D253 - TASK 1: Becoming an Effective Values-Based Leader
Name:
Student ID:
A. Complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey using the “VIA Character Strengths Survey” web link, and
use the results of the survey to complete the following:
Note: Remember that this VIA Character Strengths Survey is not a test but rather a feedback tool. There
is no wrong answer, so respond genuinely. If you download a copy of your survey results, you will receive
a list of 24 items in order of your personal strengths, with the first five being your signature strengths
and the last five being your lesser strengths. Refer to the “D253 VIA Character Strength Survey
Instructions” document in the Supporting Document section for additional information on accessing the
survey.
1. Describe an experience in which you used one of your five signature strengths (i.e., the first five) from
the survey results to overcome a challenge.
Note: Consider experiences from a school, volunteer, personal, or professional seṄng.
Tip: You only need to use one of your five signature strengths, but be sure to discuss, in
sufficient detail, how this strength helped you to overcome a challenge in your real-life
experience
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A1.)
One of my top five signature strengths is kindness. I’ve been in many seṄngs and situations where
kindness goes a long way for some people. It can make a difference in how they feel about themselves
and in how I feel about myself. Years ago, I would volunteer at a womens and kids shelter that helps
with placement services, therapy services, and parenting classes. Some of the women were so defeated
and down that it was hard for them to see their worth. By always being kind, and always being non-
judgemental, I was able to make a difference for some of them, seeing their demeanor change and life
come back into their eyes. It helped me to have a beGer understanding the challenges some people
face, and to always remember to lead with kindness.
a. Explain how you could apply the strength identified in part A1 as a values-based leader in your new
position as the customer service manager from the scenario.
Tip: Be sure that you are using the same strength from section A1 for your response to
section A1a and focus on your role as manager.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A1a.)
In a new position as the cus tomer service manager, I would always remember to lead with kin dness for my
, employees. Understanding that everyone has challenges and issues they face in life, and working with them to lessen
those burdens and work towards our common goal, showing empathy and encouragement will allow them to focus
on their job performance to the best of their ability.
Describe an experience in which being stronger in one of your five lesser strengths (i.e., the last five) from the survey
results could have positively influenced the outcome.
Note: Consider experiences from a school, volunteer, personal, or professional seṄng.
Tip: Use on of your lesser strengths from section A1 and use a different example. Make sure
to explain how being beGer in that lesser strength would have positively changed the
outcome of your story.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2.)
One of my five lesser strengths is spirituality. I believe I have my own understanding of our higher purposes which
may not align with others beliefs. I could see where leading from a spiritual strength could have had a more direct
connection to some women and children who were more spiritual, and could have allowed them to overcome their
challenges and obstacles while feeling like they were better supported from a higher power as well.
b. Explain how improving the lesser strength identified in part A2 will help accelerate your values-
based leadership abilities in your new position as the customer service manager.
Tip: This is just like section A1a, except that you are now focusing on your lesser strength
from Section A2.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2a.)
By improving my lesser strength of spirituality and developing further in a new position as the
customer service manager, my leadership abilities would only grow due to an increased empathy
and understanding for my employees. Many people have their own spiritual belief, and being
aware and supporting them directly allows them to focus on our common goals at work.
c. List three actions you can take to grow in the area identified in part A2.
Tip: You can bullet or number your three responses. For each action, briefly describe how
that action will help you improve in the lesser strength you described in section A2.
(Click here to go to that section of the course may be helpful in responding to section A2b.)
1. Self-awareness – Improving both my internal and external self awareness starts by recognizing my
spirituality may be different than others while still allowing an expression of spirituality increases and
improves this strength.
2. Self-confidence – By improving my education on spiritual matters, and my understanding of other religions
and belief systems, I will be able to confidently discuss such matters and grow my knowledge of spirituality.
3. Motvation – By increasing my motivation to identify and educate myself on my lesser spirituality strength, I
can increase my understanding of others and grow this into a strength instead of a weakness.
B. To set the tone for your new team, explain to them who you are as a values-based leader by doing the
following:
1. List your top three values as a values-based leader from the “List of Values” web link.
Note: When listing your top three values, consider those values you hold most important.
Tip: In this section you simply need to list your three values. There is no need to describe
your chosen values
1. Humor
2. Honesty
3. Kindness
a. Explain how you will use these values to serve the team and organization in the scenario.
Tip: It is in this section that you will describe how each of your chosen values will help the
