Reflection:
For my Introduction to Honors course, we explored our leadership traits through a reflection of values, and the completion of a strength finder assignment. Upon reflection on these assignments, I was able to identify my leadership values and how to integrate them with my determined strengths. If you asked me, I could not recount my first exposure to any one of my unique leadership qualities, but this activity dissected my traits and values more than ever before. Until recently, my life was focused solely on building my foundational character; establishing values that would determine how I lead the rest of my life. I have spent more time in school dedicated to expanding my knowledge than anything else, so it is not a surprise that education holds an important value in my life. Along the way, I have formed relationships that have provided the reward of love and joy, but there were also some that taught disloyalty and heartbreak. Even as a young kindergartener, I learned these frightening truths fighting for dibs over my own mom-packed snack. Experiences like these proved the significance of trust and honesty with others and within myself. Slowly these brutally beautiful lessons built a clear line of moral boundaries. Wisdom is developed within the boundaries of morality. However, wisdom comes with a responsibility because it is not always to be kept to oneself, which I learned as my coach mentored me on how to use faith to navigate this frightening world. From the harsh truths taught by the surface of the earth that cut my childish knee to the invisible truth of pure happiness found on a summer’s day laughing with my sister; I have uncovered the traits that are crucial to life. These values became the foundation I will rely on to lead the journey through my future.
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The Strengths Finder test was designed to officially determine which of my character themes, derived from my values, are best showcased through leadership. After answering a multitude of instinctual questions, my fate was revealed in a list of my top five strengths. It did not surprise me to know that learner and input are two of my top five leadership traits given my preset educational value. I was even more unphased by my listed traits of discipline and responsibility. Discipline is a familiar word to me; most people chose it to praise me for my work and achievements. In fact, I hear this word describe me so much, it now disappoints me that this is my most notable trait. When I look at how my leadership traits fall into specific domains, three in executing and two in strategic thinking, I realize I am not nearly as diverse as I wish. The traits themselves did not surprise me because I recognize that my world needs to be predictable and that I get my drive to collect information through achievement; these traits describe my character perfectly. When I looked at the chart of leadership domains, I am envious of those with more influencing and relationship-building traits, those that have more compassion and lead by their assurance that motivates a group. It amazes me to know that even with all my time working with disadvantaged riders at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center back home, I still do not possess a relationship-building trait. This leads me to believe traits such as empathy are less natural for me but are prominently in need of being practiced during these sorts of activities. Similarly, I wish to hold more command in my leadership, specifically over groups of individuals.
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In the past, I have only held less significant student body roles, such as secretary, and may consider running for a more executive role in a group to practice my control over situations. I believe this Strengths Finder test will be essential to my future development as a leader by bringing to light and balancing my strengths and weaknesses. I will continue to use my executive traits to take ownership and produce results, but it will be my goal to take the emphasis off of these traits to build strength by exposing myself to situations and people that help me develop contagious enthusiasm and a “go with the flow” attitude as well as the ability to simulate group excellence. While writing this reflection and in class, I became more aware of my role as a leader and understood the traits I can depend on in all future leadership roles. Similarly, the discussions we had about leadership traits will help me work effectively in a group or team setting. This reflection successfully completes my competency for Leadership levels one and two.
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