A personal journal or diary is primarily used for capturing an experience, to record an event or our feelings, or simply to try and make sense of the world around us. Boud (2001) comments journal writing can also be considered a form of therapy or even a learning experience. We refer to this as reflective practice, chiefly beneficial for making sense of the world and how we operate within it. Discussing events and experiences helps us extract meaning from them. Writing a PEARL can enhance what we do, why we do it and how we do it. A PEARL also helps us find our voice to address hidden negative or concerning issues hindering our professional development. The weekly sessions and the text (The Leadership Experience) will introduce you to leadership theories, concepts, stories and events. Reading and reflecting on the content plus completing the exercises in your text will help make sense and provide meaning toward your professional development. Ask yourself how what you have learnt relates, or can relate to your life and career development. What now makes sense to you? What do you understand now you may not have understood before? A major component of the PEARL is to be able to relate what you found interesting from the theory to actual pervious ‘real life' examples of your OWN experiences. Stories that involve you are essential. The link below to an article provides context and meaning toward completing a PEARL.

http://www.racma.edu.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=222

Structure: - Traits, behaviors and relationships - Situational leadership - Courage and moral leadership - Leadership and communication - Diversity and leadership