Funny, Simple, yet so True

I came across this youtube video and thought it was very appropriate for our class. 


Enjoy !!! 

 Not only did I get a couple laughs out of it, I also enjoyed the narrator’s points. My favorite was the appreciation he gave to the first fallowing because as he said "they are crucial to the success of a leader, but do not receive enough credit” He broke down the leadership process quite simply in relation to a half naked man dancing at a concert. While this was not a leader starting a revolution or saving lives, he did quite a miraculous job on leading a large group of people into sweet dancing bliss  ! 

maybe a little lost about lost

First off, prior to this assignment, I didn't know why people were talking so much about lost, and well after watching about 10 trailers on youtube, I think I might be tuning in to season 7, Talk about Dramatic!!!

Through the trailers, there was one voice/character who I feel is a good example for path-goal leadership. This was the person who was persistent that all the lost characters were not on this island by coincidence, but had all ended up there for a reason. I believe he made this message clear by employing the path-goal method. His goal was that there is a higher more powerful reason they all ended up on the island together. And in order to understand that reason he directed everyone on a path starting with clarifying his theory, and finding supporting evidence.

The next theory, Leader Member Exchange, I believe is present in every group setting, but especially with the season Lost. Relationship were build between the 15 characters first with phase one and as the group got to know each other more they went onto phase 3 of a partnership, confident negotiations and overall a strong relationship.

I think I will have a better grip on the themes in lost, once I tune into the upcoming season :)

One Similar, one not so Similar

Overall this person’s blog has themes of leadership that represented authority, knowledge and integrity. All these qualities seem like the makeup for a wonderful leader, yet also the leader described is very different from my ideas of leadership. For example this blog took the time to discuss her given archetype of ruler. I learned that she is someone who takes charge, is organized, likes order and also is always there to assist with other situation and give advice. Before reading her blog, I tended to associate the “ruler type” as someone who is powerful, in charge, and has structure, but I never considered this trait to come along with assisting others in their daily struggles. This idea opened my mind and made me consider the ruler type as a more caring character :) I enjoyed her perspective.

I also came across a blog that had very similar themes present in my blog, for example, guidance, the need for inspiring others and teamwork. This was a very similar point of view, but what I found different was there was also an emphasis for motivation. I completely left this aspect out of my blog, but after reading further into it, I realize the significance of this trait. 

Overal Thoughts on PMAI

I thought this assessment used a very unique perspective on a traditional personality assessment. Throughout college I have taken countless amounts of personality tests which all have blended together into one. But this assessment sticks out to me because of the amount of helpful information provided. This didn’t just present the positive and negative qualities but also provided suggested actions and habits to that could help each archetype grow and develop themselves better.  I am truly fascinated on the theory that there are common stories being experienced and being told to other people. I found a quote within the information they provided that I thought was interesting and well said, “Although the potential characters within us are universal, each of us expresses them differently, endowing them with somewhat different styles, traits, and mannerisms.

I feel using this assessment can be extremely useful for any type of leader. This assessment can help leaders understand themselves more deeply and also see how others might perceive them. Because leaders influence others around him or her, it is important to understand their habits, faults and mannerisms in more depth. I feel as though this assessment can help leaders escape habitual patterns to improve and find a more improved path for their leadership. 

The Jester, Seeker and Creater

Jester: Enjoying your life and work; being here now

Seeker: Being willing to be different; having the courage to try new things

Creator: Demonstrating imagination, innovation, and cleverness

I find it truly fascinating that an assessment with no more than 60 questions could pinpoint my quirks, values and habits so accurately. When looking through the packet, I noticed that the two archetypes most commonly associated with early adulthood (caregiver and warrior) where what I scored the lowest on. I thought that was interesting, but unsure what that means.

My main archetype given to me what the jester, and I couldn’t argue against that. This type craves humor and playfulness and finds enjoyment out of unexpected things. I found this quote in the description that I thought was a beautifully said sentence on the jester’s positives “helping to free people from their illusions, depression, and a limited view of life's possibilities.” I paid special attention to the setbacks to my archetypes, because I feel as though criticism is rarely heard but often thought by those around you. The description touched on my inability to take difficult situations seriously. Overall receiving the jester as my main archetype did not come to my surprise and nor was this the first time hearing about the negatives and positive associated with this part of me. On the other hand, my second Archetype was the seeker, which gave me a new outlook on myself. I felt this quote summed up some positives very well, “you are wonderfully adventurous, independent, and self- sufficient, you refuse to live a cookie-cutter life.” Again I tried to pay extra hard attention to the setback, and all of them seem to ring a giant bell inside me. For example “When problems arise, your tendency is to take off and leave them behind” and it also described me as being a perpetual peter pan who wont grow up. Ouch, but I must admit they have a point.  And lastly I was given the Creator, who has a never-ending imagination and strives to avoid the ordinary and shallow, but with a weakness of over self-indulgence. I found that by combining my three designated archetypes into one whole picture I got a more accurate view of myself. Whereas when I first starting analyzing the each one individually, I found myself dismissing the validity if the characteristics didn’t match up. But looking back at the whole picture of my archetypes I can’t help but agree and learn a thing or two. 

Traits based Leadership

Traits based leadership theories argue that a the leader is born with traits that allow them to be a leader. While there is a lot of support for this theory, people are skeptical on how reliable this theory is for predicting a leader.

Cons

• This may discourage someone who doesn't have these traits from becoming a leader
• The traits are for a specific leader, not necessarily needed for all types of leaders
• Traits can be developed throughout ones life, not just given at birth

Pros

•  If someone does have the designated traits, it would easy for them to identify their leadership potential
• This theory does help great the traits that similar in many successful leaders
• Someone could use these traits as a guide to improving themselves as a leader

What I admire leaders

The fallowing list contains the traits that I admire in leaders. Some of them I feel like I already embody, but the majority are traits that I would like to work towards having. I came up with this list, by brainstorming quality that leaders I admire have.

• Dedication 

This is mandatory to gain to respect of one's subordinates when working towards a goal. This is the trait that I know I need to improve on the most. 

• Integrity

There are far too many examples of leaders without integrity. Everyone should strive towards having integrity in all actions, but most important when your actions influence more people than just yourself. 

• Honesty 

While it seems difficult at times to be completely honest, I believe through honesty one can avoid so many problems in the future

• Inspiration

All the leaders that I admire have this trait and spread it to the people around them. 

• Consistency

Without consistency, people may question your intentions and honesty

• Powerful 

This is a trait I strive to have, because I view it as helpful to being a leader and not just a great follower. 

• Balance

Balance should be created within everyone who is working together

• Respect 

Respect is so important in every one's daily life and especially when your mainly dealing with people, as leaders do

• Care

I believe that showing and having concern for everyone, will help one gain their respect

• Vision

A vision is so important, so everyone knows what they are working towards and why