A520.3.1.RB_Decision Making

1.      What are a few words that describe your decision-making style?

a.       Cautious

b.      Logical

c.       Self-Motivated

d.      Rational

e.       Active

f.       Assertive

2.      What are the opposites of the words you chose?

a.       Risk-Taking

b.      Intuitive

c.       Influenced by Others

d.      Feelings/Emotions

e.       Passive

f.       Quiet

3.      Could you see any benefits to making decisions using an approach that is based on either the opposites or somewhere in-between and what outcomes would you expect to see?

a.       Most of my life I have played things “safe.” I am not the person to just jump before looking and because of that my risk-taking abilities are almost gone; I just don’t know how to not look before leaping. I think at times you should do the opposite of what you are used to doing. Although I think making logical decisions is the better answer, being intuitive at times could lead to a better in result. I would venture to say that being influenced by others would be a good quality if those who you associate have your best intensions in mind but and at times when making hard decisions it is good to have additional opinions may give you a better perspective of the larger picture. It does happen more times that none when making a decision we are more likely to think about that decision from one perspective instead of multiple. I am an active decision making person but I believe that feelings and emotions are naturally built into that process no matter what; I cannot make a decision and not have feelings about it. I will state that I am not often passive and I don’t believe you can make a decision and be passive at the same time and lastly even though I am very assertive I do understand when you need to be quiet, evaluate the situation and then make a decision without getting loud or irrational. 

Not everyone has the ability to see things from a different perspective and I believe that hinders them from being a more well-rounded person. If a leader or manager is going to only see things his/her way then they are most likely not going be effective in their position. Decision making is not just a process but a science as well. Understanding what decision(s) you are making and how they will not only impact you but also others is something that always needs to be kept in the back of your mind. Think large and globally not small and locally.

A520.2.6.RB_Time Management

Time management hasn’t always been on the top of my importance list until I turned 18. When I was a kid I was very free and never worried about time but something clicked once I graduated high school and became an adult entering college. I suddenly realized how important time management really was and I knew I needed to learn the skills on how to make that a strong skill in my life. Now as a graduate student and a full time employee at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, time management skills are of the utmost importance.

I would like to think that over the past 7 years I have mastered some of the important time management skills but I am sure I fault in certain areas. When I began integrating time management skills into my daily routine I also began to work on my organizational skills which I believe both of those skill sets go hand in hand and both have assisted me in gaining employment where I would be multitasking (for example my current position).

My destiny is important to me and I know that I am in control of where my life goes, what my ultimate career path will be and what steps in my educational journey will have to be met in order to obtain the end results. My time management skills have been able to mold and increase my locus of control. Without the skills I have learned I would not be inclined to understand what I have to do next in order to guarantee professional and personal success.

Some of the major faults I feel that I have in regards to time management are knowing when to say no, speed (I tend to want to do things fast and that can cause error in my work) and knowing when someone wants something done right away (urgency). Saying “no” to someone, even my boss, has been something very hard for me to do at time. I am the type of person who likes to say “yes” and then complete the task at hand but in reality it is okay to say no (when it is appropriate). Speed is also a problem with me because like I mentioned I like to do a lot of things and help as many as possible so I find myself completing tasks too quickly and I leave short trail or errors attached with my work (that is something I do not strive to do – I am very much a perfectionist). Also knowing the urgency of a task is not easy to know or to assume. Not everyone will tell you when they need something completed and unless you assume correctly 9 times out of 10 when you complete the task and when they wanted it completed are very different.

Action Plan: Since I utilize time management skills on a daily basis I think over the next year I plan to start using the word “no” when it is appropriate, slow down on the tasks I am completing and begin to ask more questions when tasks, jobs or projects are asked of me.

A520.2.3.RB_Conflict Resolution

Conflict or situations where conflict will arise are areas I like to avoid. It is not that I don’t like confrontation it is that when confronted about certain things my style of resolution isn’t always professional, especially if I am very passionate about the topic. I would like to think that I am very professional most times and I try to examine the situation from all perspectives before stating my opinion but I won’t lie and say that happens every time; we are all human and at times situations of conflict can get out of control due to personal beliefs or views.

Having been in the workforce but the better part of 10 years now, conflict is something you just cannot avoid although most days we want to. Working in the Higher Education sector also has more and unique challenges in areas in which conflict can arise.

My professional career so far has been a combination of different positions within Higher Education and currently my title is the Administrative Assistant for the Chief Technology Officer. In my current position each day brings new challenges and recently I have been adding additional projects to my plate of work. Project management is something I do well in due to my high levels of organizational skills and in the past few months I personally took on my own project as well as was asked to provide project assistance to a project my boss was leading. The conflict started about 6 weeks ago when I realized my performance levels were slipping due to my time being spread so thin between both projects. At the time of this conflict I knew that the most important area I needed to be focusing on was the project I was assisting with because it is more in depth and required extensive assistance. I chose to sit down with my boss at a weekly meeting and explain to her my conflict. I had to be diplomatic and state to her that as much as I want to lead my own project right now I know that I am not able to split my time up equally between both projects and I wanted to know if I could step down from my project until this other project was completed. It is not easy for me to do that because I like to think of myself as a sponge and enjoy getting as much experience in different positions and projects as possible. My boss was very understanding and she understood that I was trying to effectively prioritize. We both were able to come to the agreement that once this larger more in depth project was completed that I could go back to the project I had started as then I would have more time to devote to it.

It is not easy for me to step away from a project or task because I am the type of person who likes to see things to completion but I think as a strong leader you must understand your limits. If you over extend yourself there will be areas in which your performance levels will diminished. I think I made a responsible decision in asking to take a break from one project to focus on another and I think my level of professional was noted; I can only be an effective leader if I manage my time properly.

I do not think this situation could have been handled any differently because from my stand point and that of my boss’s everything was handled properly and professionally. I do understand not all situations will be handled that way but if you go in knowing the facts and can present the information in a diplomatic fashion, the results should be positive.

A520.1.6.RB_Self-Awareness

Five Core Aspects of Self-Awareness

Definitions

Emotional Intelligence: “the ability to manage oneself and to manage relationships with others – has been identified as among the most important factors in accounting for success in leaders and managers.”

Personal Values: “the core of the dynamics of behavior and place so large a part in unifying personality. Identifies personal standards and moral judgment.”

Cognitive Style: “refers to the manner in which individuals gather and process information… individual differences in cognitive style influence perception, learning problem solving decision making communication and creativity.”

Orientation/Attitude toward Change: “focuses on the methods people use to cope with change in their environment.  Identifies adaptability and responsibility.”

Core Self-Evaluation: “a recently developed construct that captures the essential aspects of personality. Identifies underlying personality attributes.” 

I would like to think that my self-awareness has not changed but instead has switched position or focus. I just recently started the MSLD program in January 2012 and when I started the program my self-awareness was still trying to focus itself. Many different things were going on in my life at the start of the program and through the duration of the first 9 weeks but I managed to stay focused on what was important.

As I stated earlier, when I started the MSLD program many changes were taking place in my life. My long term relationship was ending and I was learning to be independent again as well as my grandmother was ill and passed during the 7^th week of class. My emotional state of mind was everywhere but I was able to stay centered and manage everything that was taking place around me. My emotional intelligence was tested during the start of the program but because my self-awareness was focused on the greater goal (completing my Master’s degree in 2 years with nothing less than a 4.00) I was able to complete the task at hand.

Personal values have always been very important to me regardless of what I was doing in my life. When I started the MSLD program my heart and mind where in a different place and I had to become centered again; for example, when I start a new venture whether it is for pleasure or educational gain I go in 150% and will not allow myself to quit or fail. My personal standards are very high and now they are even higher because I know I can achieve anything when I set my mind to even if I kill myself achieving it.

I tend to think of myself as someone who is relatively grounded when it comes to gathering and processing information but all it takes it for an event in your life to through you off balance and change that process. My cognitive style of gathering and processing information has become more in depth. I am trying to think more critically now of other things and ideas and not as much on myself. I have learned from MSLD 500 that it is okay to take an idea and run with it and not ask 1,000 questions. That was something very new to me and very exciting at the same time. I enjoy being able to express what I keep stored in my brain, expressing my thoughts and opinions is a very empowering feeling.

The 4^th core aspect, Orientation/Attitude toward Change, was very much put to the test since the start of my Master’s degree. Learning to be flexible and adapt to change was something I knew I didn’t like to do. I am not a person who enjoys change and I love my routines (I have a ton of them).  I have started some new paths and I am learning to relax more but I can’t say this has been easy for me but it was a part of my self-awareness that I was thrown into and I didn’t have a choice. The life events that took place that didn’t allow me to have a choice I feel are some of the most important for experiencing personal growth as an individual.

The last aspect of self-awareness, core self-evaluation, has not changed much since starting the MSLD program or it has not changed enough for me to notice. I believe my personality attributes have not changed in the last 10 weeks.

I believe that self-awareness and understanding each component of self-awareness is extremely important and I would like to think that when I complete my Master’s degree I will look back to this blog posting and hopefully see lots of positive change and growth.

Whetten, D., & Cameron, K. (2011). Developing Management Skills. (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.