Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNALING 4 1
REFLECTIVE JOURNALING 4
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNALING 3 2
In the dictionary, the word perception is the way that you notice or understand something using
one of your senses. Effective listening often depends on what is going on in the head and heart
of those communicating, rather than what is taking place on the outside (Burley-Allen, 1995
pp.169). Even if the other person is aware of our judgement, it will still be up to that person to
be affected by it.
In 2011, I was appointed President of the Minority Male Mentoring program called Next Level
at Pitt Community College. This position was something I wanted since joining the group in
2010. After taking the job, I realized that many of the students and members had an issue with
the previous president. Students were very inattentive for my meetings and functions. First, I
began to become discourage. Three weeks passed and I decided to call my father and fill him in
with everything that was going on. The first thing he asked was “Have I formally introduce
myself to everyone?” I replied “Everyone should know who I am by now”. I been going to school
here for year. He then asked me to go around and formally introduce myself to everyone and let
him know how things went after a week. The next few days I walked around the campus greeted
students and staff. In addition, I discuss with students the new direction the program was
looking to go. The feedback was unbelievable! The night of my next meeting I called my dad said
“Watch no one shows up”. In less than an hour into my meeting the room was packed with
students! I found out later that night that the former president had a terrible reputation on
campus.
The moral of the story is sometimes perceptions are not earned somewhat given. You are as
strong as the people who served in that position before you. If they built a negative relationship
than people will perceive you in the same light. Romans 12: 2 states “And do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is
that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
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References
Burley-Allen, M. (1995). Listening: The forgotten skill: A self-teaching guide (2nd ed.). New York,
NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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