The first topic that holds the most weight during the
semester include the various strengths we have as individuals, and how these
strengths characterize us as a leader with certain characteristics and
tendencies. The strengths that came from
the Clifton StrengthsFinder results include maximizer, the ability to innovate
and influence something ordinary into something extraordinary; ideation, the
ability to connect varying ideas and concepts or to envision the world as
interconnected; developer, one who sees value in others and waters them to
grow, and the ability to see growth in various aspects; positivity, one who
brings light to reveal or to expose so growth or healing may occur and
adaptability, the level of comfort to be flexible and go with the ebbs and
flows of life or the market. I use
these strengths on a regular basis at work, where I am known to lift others up
and to promote a positive and kind environment, by providing daily comments for
the “Random Notes of Kindness” board, or connecting how the department’s
environment is connected to employee satisfaction, thus staff retention and sustained
high productivity, both elements a business strives to embody. I see myself growing in different aspects of
my various strengths, as my knowledge about the various strengths widens, and
my professional and academic career continues.
Currently, understanding my director is a numbers and analytical person,
the adaptability to create a piece of communication in which he can better
understand the motive, intent and purpose in the initiatives that may be viewed
as detrimental rather than beneficial.
The topic of ethical decision making and the types of
ethical dilemmas. Dilemmas are bound to
happen throughout one’s path, and to have a tangible tool of a list, to reach a
decision will support me as I choose what graduate program I will pursue and if
it lines up with my values, because I can apply the theory. With constructive contemplation of a choice
that is greatest good is for more people, a principle I want others to
practice, and the genuine care I have for others. Working through Kidder’s Ethical Decision
Making Process, is another tangible tool to refer to when struggling with a
choice or decision which create a dilemma ethically. First to recognize there is a moral problem,
such as capture revenue without appropriate documentation or standardization of
application; second, determine the actor, and gather relevant facts followed by
testing for right-versus-wrong issues. This
is then followed by testing right-versus-right, when two core values are lines
against each other, with application of ethical values. Seeking a third-way, or alternative, may be
found by compromise, allowing for a decision to be made. I am glad to have the knowledge of systematic
way to achieve a decision, as it is easy to fall in the valleys or dilemma, debilitated
to proceed. The weight of the intent,
the message desired to send, and the impact, the message sent/received can vary
greatly, and objectively evaluating these aspects will support me as a leader
to be mindful the intent and the impact are not synonyms, though a useful tool
to evaluate my influence as a leader on others.
I have used this when performing activities, as a pre and post survey
are completed, inquiring what the perception of the initiative contained, and
the message the participate walked away with.
Before taking this course, I hardly identified as a
leader. My peers and co-workers describe
me as one that leads with gentleness, compassion and quiet leadership. Learning how my natural skills of emotional
intelligence, and ability to be vulnerable (still a skill I struggle with!),
and effective listening are skills and concepts leading leaders are using
today. The equation of leadership is
made of relationships, shared values and action towards positive change. As I develop academically and professionally,
I see myself as a leader, as a leader is defined is various ways influence by
individual values.
As an individual who values and holds great worth in
interpersonal communication and relationships, talking to a group of more than
5 people stirs mountains of nerves within me.
Allowing myself to be vulnerable, and stutter, trip over words, expose
my thoughts and experiences, is an example of leading. I intentionally, continually step out of my
comfort zone, to speak in front of groups of more than five. Using acronyms, such as AMPP (ask, mirror,
paraphrase, prime) or making SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant
and time-bound) objectives and arguments gives support to an organized speech, and with a well laid-out response grows credibility and respect from peers and others.
Understand others and appreciating difference is a concept
in which reminds me to accept others as they are, even as those who I see in a
position of leadership. I am capable to
see my peers and classmates as having differences from myself, though working
through appreciating a person in a leadership role who holds vastly different
values is challenging, the path of understanding and appreciating the
differences is on the map. This concept
will be used in my academic and professional career as I am bound to come
across directors, managers, professors or others who exercise of form of
leadership I do not support, but allow myself to examine this type of
leadership in a different way.
Below is a playlist of some google talks and ted talks related to leadership I've enjoyed.
Simon Sinek: How great leaders
inspire action (August 2009)
David Kelley: How to build your
creative confidence (February 2012)
Seth Godin: On the tribes we lead
(January 2009)
Daniel Goleman: On compassion
(February 2007)
Martin Seligman: New Era of Positive
Psychology (2004)
Rory Sutherland - Perspective is
Everything
Dan Pink - Motivation
Brene Brown - Vulnerability
Tony Robbins - Why We Do What We Do
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