In the Leadership class I was able to partake in–this Spring ’09 semester at the University of Hawaii at Manoa–I learned a great deal about myself. Not only did I gain valuable insights surrounding the various aspects of conceptual leadership technique and purpose, but I was able to investigate and reflect on the characteristics that make me who I am and how I can not only be a better leader, but a better friend. Friendship, I believe, is where organizational purpose needs to be founded on. If the basis of trust, honesty, common purpose and inclusiveness are not strongly interwoven, a movement cannot proceed.
I can find a multitude of examples in my life in which this has been true: 1) as a high school senior when I organized my class’ commencement ceremony, 2) the leading of the Grain Faith team in feeding the homeless in Waikiki, 3) the leading of my women’s bible study, and 4) my position as overseer at my church’s Friday-night services.
Of course, realistically speaking, I realize that friendship won’t always be something that will be initially sought out in certain positions. Work-wise, I understand that often times one may be in competition with co-workers to meet or exceed performance as to make more money, or to be in good graces with an employer. In a particular situation as this, “friendship” might not be so easily encouraged as rivalry may instead be better for business.
Similarly, team mates, organization members, and co-workers still need to be able to work in conjunction with one another as they are all aspiring to reach certain goals. And to do this, levels of trust and selflessness and teamwork are forefront to progressing.
When my Leadership professor, Dr. Chris, assigned us to take an online survey called “VIA Signature Strengths”, I was excited to get moving. Amongst a plethora of other self-evaluation surveys my class and I have taken throughout the course, I was excited to learn more about my personal character and how I can better myself in learning to serve others and their personal needs the best I can. Next to listening and inclusiveness, I’ve learned that consideration plays a big role when leading a team. A leader can’t think of herself as “head honcho” intending to get people to do as she pleases. A real leader motivates, listens to the ideas and concerns of her team members and puts in her equal effort (or more) to mobilize the team in pursuit of a goal.
At the end of the 240-question survey, a calculation of my top-5 strengths arose and my results were as follows:
1) Spirituality, sense of purpose, and faith
As a born-again Christian (of only two years thus far), I was excited to see “faith” as my top strength. Along my journey as a believer in the one and only trinity God, my love for life and people have increased. Through bible studies I’ve been in, sermons I’ve listened to (online, aside from the ones at church) and friends I’ve made, my heart to see the word of God learned and embraced amongst every individual has become focal to the motivation I have for the career I hope to pursue. I’m not exactly sure what that is yet, but I know that whatever it will be, it will involve a great deal of glorification to the one who’s given me life and has laid his own life down in bloodshed (through Jesus Christ) to see me live happily and fully in his name. And for me, that means service. Service that not only encourages others to know who God is, but a service that shows them love (in the provision of food, etc.) from another human being who cares. A selfless love that is unconditional and kind.
2) Citizenship, teamwork, and loyalty
As my second strength, I was excited to see teamwork as a top strength. I wasn’t very surprised either, because throughout all of my experience, I’ve always sought to give my full effort into any team as I saw fit. I also always expected my team members to do the same (out of fairness) too, but unfortunately this hasn’t always been the case. Nonetheless, I know contributing on my part helps the team to not only move along, but also exemplifies the importance of hard-work.
3) Gratitude
Branching from faith, I’ve learned to be thankful of everything I’ve experienced through life. Even in difficult times. God has taught me–mostly through conflict and life experiences–that he’s got a purpose and plan for my life and everything that happens is just a progressive move towards the revealing of those purposes and plans. Romans 5:1-4 says:
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
4) Fairness, equity, and justice
Even before I became a Christian, I’ve always found value in friendship and companionship…no matter who the person was. I love people, their personalities and I have this general curiosity to understand why a person is motivated or driven to do the things they do. I find it fascinating listening to people talk! You can conclude a multitude of things about a person (such as values, lifestyle, familial upbringing) by simply listening to them speak and observing the ways they interact with others. Because of this, I’ve always grown to learn and embrace individuals I’ve met through life as they are. I think it’s made me more understanding of the way in which people have learned to deal with conflict themselves and how it’s molded them into the person they’ve become. It’s also made me more loving towards them because now that I’m able to understand where they’ve come from, I am more at ease about expressing who I am to them as well and offer what I have to help them however I am able.
5) Kindness and generosity
There isn’t much to elaborate on this particular strength. I simply enjoy helping people when they need it. Why otherwise?
–Skyy Malaluan
