Week 3: Leadership

1. What have I learned this week about leadership?  About the role(s) I play in groups?

I had an interesting insight into my idea about leadership and characteristics of my personality, concerning my social behavior.  When we did the activity where we introduced ourselves and said something that we like and I noticed that I was slightly nervous about my turn.  When I did have my turn I observed the way that I spoke and what I chose to share about myself.  I had a modest tone in the way I introduced myself and said that I like being a ninja.  I noticed that I was nervous about coming up with a motion to accompany my introduction.  When I think about my concept of leadership, I think that the idea of being a leader appeals to me because it allows one to do many things at once.  These things include but are not limited to: making a contribution to something larger; ensuring the quality or integrity of the project or performance; using my abilities to optimize the contributions of others; be involved in a manner which allows me to be less personally involved; be accessible in regards to my intellectual commitment yet remain somewhat inaccessible in terms of emotional intimacy or opacity.  This list of desired things about a leadership position seem to all be different aspects of a particular balance of using my skills while using them in such a way that allows me to stay in my preferred area of social interaction.  I am very assertive yet humble in the way I accomplish my goals.  I am quick to communicate about a project but shy to share inner parts of my personality. 

2. What were the highest and lowest moments of my learning activities this week?

When we did the name game and it came to my turn I was somewhat surprised a little disappointed that I couldn't just relax and be a bit more open.  I guess it was actually also a high point when I did take my turn.  Although it was with a bit of hesitation, I introduced myself and shared something personal that I felt was true to my person, as opposed to something else that would be one form or another of self-censorship.   

3.  What was the most significant thing that happened to me as a learner this week?

 I learned how much my past experiences and attitudes have affected my current behavior in groups and my views on leadership and leadership positions.

4.  What was the most surprising activity/personal response to my learning this week?

I was very surprised after reflecting on the name activity on how shy I can actually be in some groups, even when it is a 'safe' space with a relatively small number of people that I am familiar with, at least to the extent of being classmates. 

5.  Where have I observed my strengths in action?

This past week, after noticing how I have such deeply-rooted ideas about groups, group dynamics, and leadership, I saw that I was using my strength of 'Learning' and 'Strategic' to see how I needed to proceed and recondition myself and my attitudes on the topic. 

6.  Of everything that I did this week, what might I do differently if I had a chance to do it again?

I would have tried to open up a bit more during the name activity, and just try to enjoy myself a bit more.  

7.  What is one thing I learned about groups and group dynamics this week?

We all come into groups with our own baggage we have picked up along our way.

8.  What do I feel proudest of accomplishing related to my learning/leadership this week?

I am proud of how I was able to step back and observe myself and see the areas of group dynamics or leadership where I am uncomfortable and would greatly benefit from evaluation and targeted effort.

9. What do I feel most dissatisfied with about my learning/leadership this week?

There isn't anything that comes to mind that I felt dissatisfied about with my learning; it is a process.