The LINK Initiative (Leadership, Integration, Networking, Knowledge) was developed as part of the leadership capstone for the EXSC 8300 course to support veterans in their transition from military to civilian life by establishing structured peer support systems. As the Project Coordinator, I led a multidisciplinary team to create a comprehensive resource guide and conduct pilot peer support sessions. This initiative aligns with my professional vision of empowering tactical military athletes and reflects my commitment to holistic well-being practices. Critical elements such as emotional intelligence, team cohesion, and adaptive leadership were integral to the project’s success, fostering trust, consensus-building, and team motivation. I applied leadership principles from "7 Lenses," including ethical transparency, respect, accountability, shared purpose, and ethical risk-taking, to resolve conflicts and improve team productivity. We sponsored a hole at a local charity golf tournament, supporting the Pine Forest men’s basketball team to extend our community outreach. This allowed us to set up a booth, distribute water, and share brochures, raising awareness for the program. This artifact also explores the importance of post-project debriefing, outlines the lessons learned, and reflects on the overall growth of my leadership skills throughout the process. 

 

Keywords: leadership, veterans, emotional intelligence, team cohesion, trust-building, consensus-building