Reflection

6

Motivational/ Leading – Personal Assessment and Reflection

Persuading:

For question one, I usually have a clear objective in mind before I ask someone for something, because I ask my question based on this and so I rehearse this beforehand. For question two, I sometimes tailor my argument to the personality of the person I’m trying to influence, so I would not have a misunderstandings or offensive to someone during a discussion. For question three, I seldom when I want something from people, I make it clear to them how doing it will further their interest, this because I tend to be unclear when I tell others to do things to me. For question four, usually if I were a manager, I’d expect my subordinates to obey my requests because of the authority of my position, because I expect my subordinates to know their job, and thus I assume that they will make the job done. For question five, sometimes if I want something from someone, I assume that person is intelligent and will respond to logic, this because not every person are logical and even people with the same qualifications vary, moreover I become very sympathetic about people’s needs, and so I skip something only because I know that they would not do them right. For question six, sometimes when I want something from someone, I explain to the person why what I want is important, because I make this more complex that they seem to be and thus, people do not understand me. For question seven, usually when I want something from someone, I try to use emotional appeals as well as logic, this because I am not a very logical person and I more emotional and sympathetic. Overall, I scored 14 in this assessment, this means that I have potential for a significant improvement in my oral persuasion techniques (Robbins and Hunsaker, 2012, p. 204) Actually, I do agree on this statement because I need to focus on developing my potentials, instead of focusing on my weaknesses, therefore, I am confident that I can a persuasive person.

Application question three:

Authority and persuasion are two different leading methods that perform similar functions, however there are significant differences between them in leadership. First, authority means make others do the job because they do not want to do, for instance; a manager who is the top over the subordinates who demands works and less likely be open to employees feedback, this way of leadership makes employees not motivated and stressed because of they are forced to do the job. Second, persuasive is the art to convince others do the job and make them willing to do it voluntarily, for example, a manager who convince employees do the job and make them doing it willingly and be open to feedback, this makes employees motivated and optimistic because they are willing to do it. Ultimately, authority is against the values of humans and democracy, while persuasion is based upon honesty and acceptance of others’ ideas (Robbins and Hunsaker, 2012, p. 207).

Application question four:

An example for Active Facilitative strategy use; when I was preparing with my groups for the trade show my colleagues planed on wearing head bands with name tag on, I states my opinion that I do not feel willing to do it, this because I want to look professionally in front of the guests. Next, another situation for Passive Facilitative ; when my friend do something that I did not like, I do not speak with him and wait until he realizes my silence and then he speaks and confirm his mistake, this because I am able to calm down and not to react violently. After that, another instance for Active Inhibiting ; when my cousin tried to open a small business I discouraged him by saying that you are not capable of handling this and you should not be wasting your time and money on something that is not productive, this because I am not able to do this type of business and thus I assume others will not. Lastly, a Passive Inhibiting example; when I am confused about class assignment’s I tend not to ask for help and thus I end up missing points, this because I am a fried of being pointed as failure.

Applying Leadership Style:

In the scoring and interpretation part of this self-assessment I scored 15 in the readiness, this indicates that I am more of a personal achiever than a leader, I found this interesting because I truly do not see myself as a leader but when I work hard enough I could be an achier. Next, in the leadership style, I scored 8 in the task emphasis score and 11 in the relationship emphasis score, this indicates that I am a relationship ordinated person more than a task oriented person, however there is a slight difference in both scores, and because I am more able to communicate with people I see myself as relationship oriented. After that, in the adaptability score, I scored 4 and this means that I more able to adept with the circumstances when there is a need, so I agree that I am an adaptable person because I want to win my goals. For example, for the trade show perpetration work, I tried to help my group within my means as an international students and my American classmates were very cooperative and open to my ideas, as I work with them for the board, also my group members were open to my critiques, at the same time I had to accommodate with them when all group members like to do an idea that I did not supported very much. Meanwhile, adaptability is one of my strength in the strength finder. (Robbins and Hunsaker, 2012, p. 221) Overall, I consider this assignment to be fair and describes my abilities in the leadership style.

Application question 2:

On example when I failed to lead was during an annual festival in my hometown, when I tried to guide a small group of two families in two cars following me, I was able to take them to a very interactive attractions, however I decided to take them into a traffic jam that had no major events and was filled of silly activities. This was because each family was telling me different route and I made an unwise decision taking them to a silly spot of the festive. Overall, since I am a relation oriented person I tend to do well more than a leadership oriented person, and this my personality effects the decisions I made.

My Strengths:

From the Strength Finder assessment I believe that deliberative is one of the strengths that aid my leading abilities because it helps make the right decision with care and seriousness, nonetheless when I made the right decisions I become more successful and thus, I enhance my motivation to myself and others eventually. Also, adaptability is another key factor that aid my leading of others, so I become flexible with changes and function in different workplace environments, nevertheless because I adapted with the changes I need to move people who work with me forwards to be successful.

Managing change:

In this assessment, my overall score is 42 and this indicates that Adequate- I have attitude towards change. I aggress with the results of this assessment because I agreed on questions 2, 38, 9, 12, 14, 15 whereas I disagreed on questions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13. For example I in question 2 I consider values of improvement with various symbols and statements (Robbins and Hunsaker, 2012, p.236). I try to consider the quotes “never give up” in every challenge I face in school. Another example, question 6 I do not see myself to inspire others toward improvement in their job because I am lacking inspiration myself, thus I need to inspire myself and then others. Ultimately, I have the ability to develop in managing change, however I need to apply the techniques I learned in this class.

Application questions:

For question one, the most change I have experienced last year was entering the marriage life and try how to live with a spouse from an arranged marriage, this was not easy but I was able to accommodate and learn how become a responsible for another person in your life, and she is the person I love very much, my wife. After all, this was not easy and takes efforts, struggle and time, and I did not resist this change, instead I adept to it.

For question two, I remember that my sister was very depressed after her married, especially when she brought her husband with her to the U.S. her depression was that her feeling that no one helped her preparing for the marriage. I tried to calm her down over phone calls and frequent visits to her apartment and spend as much talking time with her as possible. Overall, I felt I was able to change her status and make her feel less depressed.

For question three, the time I tried to change my classmate bully behavior in high school, but I was not successful. Moreover, I had to take all the vulgar calls and shaming he kept saying because I was from a different town. The reason I was not successful because I did not resist and fight back, I stayed silent and powerless. Meanwhile, if I would face any similar situation in the future, I plan to resist and fight back and I would not stay silent.

My strengths:

From my opinion, I believe that restorative one of my strengths that helps me adapt with dealing with problems and solve them, and this is an important thing in managing change. Furthermore, context another strength that helps me understand the future based on the present and try not to make the same mistakes that were done in the past. Finally, I think that my strengths, restorative and context helps will help me in managing change and motivating and leading others, eventually.