Strengths and weaknesses

A strength I have is the ability to cook. My friend is not a very good cook, but loves delicious food--who doesn't for that matter? I can use my ability to cook in my leadership role to teach my friend fun and easy skills that will serve her well now and in the future.

Strengths of my group project team include creative problem solving. When a problem arises, we are all able to bring ideas to the board, be flexible, and come to a good conclusion. This helps us to better our results because  without the ability to solve problems, any group project would fall apart. Another strength my group has is working well together. When we made t-shirts, we were all able to work well together and get them done in a timely fashion. This helps us get better results because we are able to get things done.

Teamwork

1.Choose and describe in detail two of the four teamwork stages (forming, storming and norming, performing) you have seen in your group project teams and how it has affected your teamwork

In my group, it was interesting to see how the storming and norming stages of our project came together. Our original, provisional plan from the forming stage was left in the dust for a fresh, visionary plan. That is not to say it was perfect, we definitely had to refine the new idea very much. We tried to think of all the possible problems that would occur with our plan and address them. Throwing ideas off of each other helped us come to exceptional solutions. 

Assigning who would do what went pretty smoothly; everyone willingly volunteered their services. We delegated duties that came up throughout our planning according to the skill set each individual person had to offer.

2. Pick one dysfunction (Ryan's lecture) you have seen in your leadership role and what you are going to do to turn into a function.

I believe there is always room for improvement, and even the most well oiled teams have dysfunctions that must be addressed. It is the fact that they are addressed that keeps them a good team. In my leadership role, I know I am far from perfect. I have especially noticed a fear of conflict. Usually I just go with the flow unless something is seriously wrong. When I do not address a small problem before it becomes a big problem, big problems develop needlessly. I plan on addressing these smaller problems sooner and having a healthy conflict instead of waiting until they become larger problems.

Communication

There are an innumerable amount of ways I could improve my communications as a leader. I'm going to focus on a few points so that I will not be overwhelmed. First of all, I'm going to work on understanding the other person's perspective. When I put forth the effort to understand someone, it is usually not too difficult--people want to be understood--and it makes conversations much better. I understand the importance of this principal, I just really need to remember to put forth that effort. I will also make a point to be more courteous in my conversations with others. It is difficult for me to be courteous to others when they offend me, but, that can be the most important time to be considerate of them. Often times, people offend because they are having a tough day. I think that being more courteous will help me improve in other parts of communication as well. As I practice consideration for others, it will inspire a greater desire to communicate effectively.

As I mentioned previously, I will be focusing on seeing from other's perspectives. This will help me immensely in my leadership role, because I know that my philosophy on life differs greatly from my friend's, therefore, I struggle to understand her. I believe that putting forth the effort to understand will not only help me see where she is coming from better, but also help me learn about myself and my weaknesses. As they say, "diversity is the spice of life." From our differences we can learn an incredible amount.

Divine Centered Leader Interview

I interviewed Alyssa Heyborne, someone I view as a servant leader. While interviewing her I noticed many characteristics that help her as a leader. She has a great desire to help others learn by teaching in a way that is conducive to learning in each individual's case. Alyssa also tries to get to know each person well so that she can lead them better. She also strives to care for those around her. Another characteristic that I think especially helps her is her honesty. Leaders need to be trustworthy. One of her life goals is to "touch people's lives... and make them better in some small way."

Something she taught me in the interview is that while you cannot force people to do things--it never works--you must be clear on what you need. It never occurred to me how frustrating it is when a leader is not clear. Letting people know what is important and letting them know that you care is vital to getting a group goal accomplished. She also says that getting people invested in the thing which y'all are trying to get done is very good. Especially if you find something that they can do to help that interests them personally. Which brings us back to the importance of knowing "each heart." As a person, leader, friend, peer, visiting teacher, Alyssa strives to know "each heart."

Divine Centered Leadership

My chemistry professor is very wise--he asks us to work out example problems and talk with those around us when we are having problems--this helps us learn more effectively. Last week, the guy sitting next to me was struggling to understand a confusing concept we were learning. So, I tried to help this poor fellow. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. We are definitely understanding chemistry better, and enjoying the class too! Getting to know him has been a pleasure. People are amazing! This experience reified the concept we learned in class; recognizing who we really are helps us become better leaders because when we realize that we are all children of God with a great capacity to love one another as He did, we can accomplish more than we could ever hope to imagine.

I will apply Divine Centered Leadership to my leadership role in many ways. "Treating each person as a divine being with divine potential" is important to me. Low self esteem seems to be omnipresent in our culture today. My friend, like many others, struggles to see the good in herself. When I have supper with her this coming Thursday, I will try to help her see the amazing potential within her. I hope that teaching her how to cook an easy, delicious, wholesome meal will help her feel accomplished and good about herself. Last Thursday I applied the principle of serving others by helping her with cleaning checks. This is very important to me, because I believe that when we get dirty and help others with joy in our hearts, it makes more of a difference in lives than when we just hang out with a friend. Not only does it help them do what they need to get done and allow me to be an example of service to them, it is also gratifying. I know that leading with a loving example instills good values in those we serve.

Leadership

In my life, I strive to be a good leader that can bring out the best in people. Right now I'm a leader in my family. As a sister I try to show a good example for my other siblings to follow. As a friend I'm also a leader. When problems arise, I come in to mediate, to be there to listen when people need to talk, and to give thought out advice. I also enjoy helping plan fun group activities as well.

I believe almost all if not all of the qualities I possess assist me in some way when leading. In some scenarios I have the ability to get people to enjoy working. My creativity helps me give fresh outlooks on problems. Honesty and integrity are useful because it is important to have trust in a leader. I'm also good at taking initiative when it needs to be taken.

I will focus on my role as a friend for application in this class because it is the most prevalent leadership role in my life right now. I hope to make a difference for the good in the life of one of my friends in particular, she has a tough life and does not know how to deal with many things. So, I'm trying to help her develop skills of self sufficiency that will serve her throughout her life.