StrengthsFinder Analysis

By taking the Gallup StrengthsFinder test, I was able to gain some insight into my strengths as a leader. The analysis confirmed information I knew about myself, gave me a sense of closure as I wrote the assignment, and gives me an idea on how to strengthen my leadership skills. Three of my skills are in the Relationship Building domain: adaptability, individualization, and empathy. One in the Executing domain: restorative. And on in Strategic Thinking: strategic.

I was initially surprised to see that relationship building was a strength category and as the course continued I kept noticing leaders having empathic skills and other relationship building skills. Sun Tzu and Simeon from The Servant both expressed the need for empathy. Sun Tzu gave empathetic advice with is a strength in the Relationship Building theme,

On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting their tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei,” (Galvin, 2003, p. 50)

He understand that the soldiers will go through an array of emotions and they shouldn’t be robbed of those moments. When they have passed through the gambit of sensibilities they will be ready for war. Even in wartimes Sun Tzu is sensitive to the needs of his soldiers. Simeon in The Servant described love as actions performed with patience, kindness, humility, respectfulness, selflessness, forgiveness, honesty, and commitment, (Hunter, 2012, p. 100). These are terms used to build stronger relationships.

Who am I Story

It was wonderful to take time and reflect on my past and look at it with a new lense. I learned why I made some choices in my life and where I am going. Like in the TedTalk by Sinnek (2010), I was able to figure out my why and direct myself toward that, “the goal is to do business with people who believe what you believe,” (Sinek, 2010). I believe in helping people and I also believe in the power of connection through language. With that I have become an English language teacher.

Analytical Biography

For the analytical biography I decided to go to with someone I didn’t think I would connect with. I chose to read about Sun Tzu, a great Chinese general from 500 BC.  As I mentioned before he touched on numerous points, mainly about stratagems, but he also discusses being empathetic towards those under his authority. As I read, I realized that I didn’t understand the difference between stratagems and tactics. Strategy is defined as, “the science or art of combining and employing the means of war in planning and directing large military movements and operations,” (dictionary.com). Tactics are, “the maneuvers themselves,” (dictionary.com). Strategies are the plans, the ideas, or the intentions. Tactics are the actions. When applying strategies and tactics, the leaders are performing their will according to Hunter. “Intentions plus actions equals the will,” (Hunter, 2012, p. 89). There is a correlation between military leaders and servant leadership as will is the tip of the new leadership model in servant leadership.

Annotated Bibliography

I focused my search on empathetic leadership. I was surprised to see that it would lead to servant leadership and transformational leadership and that articles talked about international education and education of a diverse student population. Kasl and Yorks argue for the need of an empathetic space that “take in consideration the paradox of diversity,” (Kasl and Yorks, 2016, p. 3). To tackle the paradox, a strength that leaders or a leadership team should possess  individualization, as, “they have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively,” (Rath, 2008, p.  187). As companies diversify, leadership teams will need to include empathy and individualization.

QQTPs

A QQTP that stood out to me was the The Hidden Traps in Decision Making. A quote I thought summed up the course was, “the best protection against all psychological traps — in isolation or in combination — is awareness,” (Hammond, Keeney & Raiffa, 2006, p. 126). I really like this quote because it resonates with what it takes to be a great leader — awareness. In most of our readings, the one aspect of a great leader is self-awareness, (Rath, 2008, p. 3). But when it comes to making decisions, a leader needs to be aware that there are mental traps that we can attempt to avoid. By doing so we create the habit to question and analyze.

Short Responses

“Our religion is simply our map, our paradigm, our beliefs that answer the difficult existential questions,” (Hunter, 2012, p. 93). Our intentions, actions, and how we receive information are filtered through our personal paradigms. It is important to remember this. I have worked in different countries and their main religion have all been different, and thus their views about leadership are different. We also need to acknowledge:

As young people, we are surrounded by expectations that may have little to do with who we really are, expectations held by people who are not trying to discern our selfhood but to fit use into slots. In families, schools, workplaces, and religious communities, we are trained away from true self toward images of acceptability; under social pressures like racism and sexism our original shape is deformed beyond recognition; and we ourselves, driven by fear, too often betray true self to gain the approval of others,” (Palmer, 2000, p. 2)

We are shaped by where we are from and our culture. It is important to reflect on our journey and to be self aware, thus avoiding the trap.

Principle-Centered Leadership Journal

Personal Growth Plan

Today:

I did some searching online and one suggestion for creating a personal growth plan was coming up with a personal mission statement. I came up with, “Live a life full of love and patience, adventure near and far, and inspire a love for education in myself and those around me.”

Tomorrow:

Because I wish to live a life of travel and education, I will get to practice that this week as I travel through Europe. I have arranged my work in a way that I think will suite my needs, but I need to reflect as I go on this literal journey. This is the initial plan and I will need to see what works for me. To live location independent, I will need internet access. Some questions I will need to answer are:

Can I do work in a cafe or do I need personal space?

Do I enjoy working while in transit, example on a plane or train?

What is my realistic working day length?

How does this contribute to my teaching?

How does this contribute to my larger plan?

What is the best forms of communication with those in my life?

Over the Next Year:

Over the next year I will have the opportunity to figure out living location independent as I will be living in a couple different countries and states. One of the biggest steps I am taking to better myself is finishing my masters and enrolling in a teacher’s credential program. I have started the application process for the teacher’s credential through Fresno Pacific. I read in a book that you cannot do “plans” but only action. I cannot plan to enroll in a teacher’s credential program, I need to figure out the next actionable step. Started application. Check. Signed up for tests. Check. The next actionable step? Make a study schedule for the exams. I cannot worry about any other steps until that one is completed. To help with this, I have decided to synchronize my graduate study schedule with my test prep study schedule through Asana and application through the internet. I need help to organize my study hours and the program will remind me to stay on task. I know that a weakness I have in executing, so I need to recruit tools that will help me execute tasks as I am in motion.

References

Galvin, D. (Ed.). (2003). The art of war Sun Tzu. New York, NY: Barnes & Noble Books.

Hunter, J. C. (2012). The servant: A simple story about the true essence of leadership. NewYork, NY: Crown Business.

Kasl, E., & Yorks, L. (2016). Do I really know you? Do you really know me? Empathy amid diversity in differing learning contexts. Adult Education Quarterly: A Journal of Research And Theory, 66(1), 3-20.

Palmer, P. J. (2000) Let your life speak: Listening for the voice of vocation. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

Rath, T. (2008). Strengths based leadership. New York, NY: GALLUP PRESS.

Strategy. (n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved June 17, 2016 from Dictionary.com websitehttp://www.dictionary.com/browse/strategy

Tactics. (n.d.). Collins English Dictionary – Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition. Retrieved June 17, 2016 from Dictionary.com websitehttp://www.dictionary.com/browse/tactics

TED Talks. (2010, May 4). Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4&feature=related