A520_2.6RB_Kesler, Kelley

Time Management Skills

     I must admit my time management skills are not the best, terrible if you will.  I do plan with the best of intentions to get assignments and tasks done early, but it typically does not happen...  I’m a terrible procrastinator...  However, No excuse for not getting things done on time!!! I believe that because I know in the back of my mind that I always gets things done.. No matter what..  There is not reason for not getting a task done early, but because I know it always gets done.. I’m terrible at forcing myself to get the task or assignment done early...

     Which to be honest, is why I’m writing this blog on Saturday night, because I will be on a plane tomorrow and won’t be able to get the assignment done on time if I wait.  This may be submitted early, but for me it is last minute. I did begin the assignment last night with the best of intentions of completing it early, but ended up going to bed... Because I knew that I could finish it today.

Part of me truly believes that I’m more creative and thoughtful when working with a firm deadline.  I’m not completely sure this is true. I do know that I work well under pressure.  I have tried to give myself fake early deadlines, but I also know when the real deadline is, so the fake pressure does not illicit the same results as working under pressure.   I know that my time poor time management skills tend to cause more stress than needed.   It is something I struggle with and I’m attempting to be better about.  

     Overall, bettering my time management skills would overall reduce my stress.  Completing my tasks (ie  homework, laundry, cleaning etc.) during the week instead of leaving everything for the weekend, would allow me to enjoy and relax on the weekends lowering my stress levels (especially on Sunday nights when I realize the weekend is over and I haven’t really done anything fun).  I also believe that accomplishing tasks earlier would reduce my stress levels by sleeping better.  I will wake up in the middle of night thinking about things that must be done the next day.  I tend to make mental lists when I wake up of things that need to be done, but I usually forget one or two of the items because I don’t write it down since I’m in bed.  Organization is something that impairs my time management skills also, I’m not a great organizer... I know where everything is and can find anything I need or someone needs in time after I look for it...  I could waste less time if I was organized and could go right to an item instead of looking in a general area for it.  A good example of this is my laundry... I don’t mind doing laundry, but I mind putting it away. If I were to put it away, I would not waste time looking for what I’m planning on wearing...

     To create a plan to better my time management skills, I thought it would be best to focus on the big items that I can change without a huge change in my normal schedule... (start small so to speak).

• Create to do lists -minimize stress by writing down what needs to be done.  Add to list when the item when I’m given a task or deadline.  By doing this, I hope to minimize the times I wake up at night, but keep a notepad and pen by the bed, so I can write it down and go back to bed as quickly as possible.
• Organize- put things in there proper place instead of where I know I can find them....  
• Plan fun on the weekends!!  By filling up my weekends, I will be forced to get all tasks done during the week.  

A520_2.3RB_Kesler,Kelley

Conflict Resolution

The video’s on conflict resolution was very interesting. The video made excellent points in resolving conflict in the work place and provided a role play to demonstrate the point.  In the end of the role play, the conflict was resolved through negotiation will all parties compromising, but each gained some of what they originally wanted. When observing the role play, I thought it made excellent points in the skill of conflict resolution, however, I was disappointed in the fact that the role play was so scripted.  Both parties wanted what was best for their interests, but they did not show real emotion.  Conflict’s I have dealt with are typically loaded with emotion.  

A conflict that I had to deal with recently, was between a work study student and a full time staff member.  At that time, I was supervising the work study students in our office.  I was working in my office, when all of the sudden the full time staff member and the work study student were in my office yelling.  The full time staff member was yelling “she needs to be fired!” and the student was yelling “he disrespected me!”  Since I was playing the role of mediator, I asked them both to stop yelling each tell me what happened.  The staff member explained first, then the student. The staff member had to leave after sharing his side of the story to help a student that had come into our front office.  The staff member and the student both had relevant issues.  The staff member felt the student was very disrespectful to him and the work study student felt the same way.  Being caught off guard with situation made it more difficult to resolve the conflict between the two individuals. I sent the work study student home to gain control of her emotions and spoke to the full time staff member about ways to resolve the situation.  The next day when the work study student returned, I spoke to her and attempted to come to a resolution and solution as to how she and the full time staff member could work together.  Unfortunately, the work study student was not willing to work with or even speak with the full time staff member ever again. She wanted to continue working in our office and ignore the other individual. Because this was not a viable solution and the she did not offer any compromises, I made the decision to let her go.  

To be honest, in the end I feel I did a terrible job of resolving the conflict between the two individuals.  In this conflict both parties were extremely stubborn and did not want to negotiate. As mediator to this conflict, I feel my role was doomed from the beginning. I"m don't believe this was an example of successful conflict resolution, but I'm not sure how I could handled it differently. Any thoughts or feedback on how this could have ended differently????

A520.1.6RB Self-Awareness

5 Core Aspects of Self-Awareness

      I believe that my overall self-awareness has really changed for the better since I began the leadership program at ERAU.  I have noticed that as an overall change in how I process information and situations for the better.  I now really try to make an attempt to realize and understand everyones thoughts and opinions, whereas before I started the leadership program I was unlikely to consider other opinions and just go with mine....  

I must say that I am much more open to the ideas and concepts of core self evaluation.  I still not good or exactly comfortable with it, but I am trying to make a conscious effort to work on it.  Although, I guess if I were comfortable with the process then it wouldn’t really be self evaluation...  

I have also noticed that my I have questioned some of my values, for the good I think.  I grew up in a household where personal values were of upmost importance, because of this I hold my values very important also. But what I’m beginning to question are the values really mine or my parents???   I think this is a very important distinction in determining and realizing myself.  

In realizing my true values, I have began to realize and adapt to change better than I had in the past.  Change is not always a bad thing, in fact often change is a good thing. Because of this process and I’m beginning to become comfortable with change, therefore becoming more adaptable.  I believe as a leader, you need to be adaptable.  Life events and situations may not always turn out how you expect, but a true leader can adapt to the unexpected and make it better.

As I spoke in my previous blog, I’m a very scientific thinker. Through this process, I have learned that thinking analytically about a problem doesn’t usually address my thoughts or feelings.  I have been really trying to think about why I respond or have the thoughts and feelings I do.  This is not easy!!!  But I so believe it is an extremely important piece of becoming a leader, if you can’t analyze yourself, you really shouldn’t be analyzing others.  

Because of all this, I believe that my emotional intelligence has improved and will continue to improve.  I think everyone has the tendency to want to be selfish in their thoughts and feelings.  As I’m really beginning to look at the big picture, I’m realizing even more so than I did before everyones thought, feelings, ideas, etc. are just as important if not more important than my own...  

Self-awareness is process that never ends..  If you are not aware and constantly and consistently analyzing yourself, I believe you stop growing as a person and a leader. I have lots of work to do!!!  

A520.1.2.RB - Self-Awareness Blog

     

Self-Awareness

     I struggled with the self awareness survey, I would read the question and think about what I should put down to get a better score.  I really had to think about what my reaction was to the question and analyze my thoughts versus what the I thought the right answer to the question was.  By doing this, I actually learned a lot!!!  I began to realize that my thoughts are not always what is expected or what I think is expected and that is okay.  I was very surprised when I analyzed my results.  My scores were all in the top and third quartiles.  Because I was surprised my results, I’m really not sure what to make of the results.... Self evaluation is something admittedly, I’m not very good at and really don’t like.  I would guess that a lot of individuals feel the same way I do.  Because it makes you uncomfortable to analyze your thoughts and feelings.  Because I have a B.S in Biology and a M.S. Aeronautical Science, I’m more apt to think analytically about a problem and ignore my thoughts and feelings.  I think this test has made me realize that I need to begin assessing my own thoughts and feelings.   Also, I believe I need to come out of my comfort zone... 

There were two questions that really made think about this is what I would do and what I really wish I had the self confidence to do.  Both questions were in the emotional intelligence section of the test.  

The first question was In a situation where a colleague takes credit in public for m work and ideas, I would probably...

• Let it slide and do nothing in order to avoid confrontation
• Later in private indicate that I would appreciate being given credit for my work and ideas
• Thank the person in public for referencing my work and ideas dnd then elaborate on my contributions.

I chose the first answer.  Because I tend to be very non confrontational and typically do not stand up for myself.  I really wish I able to pick either of the tow answers.  This pointed out to me, that I really need to work on my self confidence and that I do need to stand up for myself.

The second question asked What I approach another and try to strike up a conversation but the other person doesn’t respond, I...

• Try to cheer up the person by sharing a funny story
• Ask the person if he or she want to talk about what’s on his or her mind
• Leave the person alone and find someone else to talk to.

I chose leave them alone.  I chose this answer because I assumed the person would be a stranger and want to be left alone.  Part of me thinks I was the person, that an individual was starting a conversation with and I didn’t want to talk that I would just want them to go away.  But in really thinking about this, I need to become a better conversationalist. I’m terrible at making conversation.  I believe that a leader needs to have the confidence and skill to be able to hold a conversation with anyone.  I believe this survey pointed out some weaknesses that I really need work on to become a leader.