Julie Womble-Part II

I am so happy that we are going to learn and discuss the sections on reflection and understanding yourself. I know that it is important to reflect on what has happened in the past, and look forward to what lies ahead in the future, and how you can integrate the two. "Leadership means self-discovery, getting a better yield out of your attributes" pg 121.

Everybody brings a different mix of strengths and weaknesses to each situation. Some of your strengths can become some of your weaknesses, and vice versa, depending on the opinions or the needs of others, the group, and the task at hand. Each person may view your skills sets completely different. It is important to:
1. Listen to yourself when you have done something well, even if no one noticed.
2. Identify the satisfaction that you feel when you know something you did was terrific, and gives you a great feeling.
3. Know what things are easy for you and what you learn quickly.
4. Study your successes for clues of excellence, and where your strengths are.
5. Think about the patterns of excellence, like when you can remember everything you need to know, when you feel the most comfortable, where you are the most successful.

I like that this focuses on your strengths, because I think that it is important that you build on your strengths but recognize your challenges. The book says that everyones talents are enduring and unique, and that each person has the greatest room for growth where their greatest strength is. However, it is important how you handle and deal with your weaknesses, or I like to say challenges.

-How you think and feel about yourself is your energy that fuels your motivation.
-What makes you who you are today you can not change. It is important that you accept it and move forward and not dwell on the things that you can not change.
-It is important that you recognize that factors that shape who you are. They will be unique for each person.

Integrity in relationships is central to the value systems needed among people working together toward change. A person of character:
-is trustworthy
-treats others with respect
-is responsible
-is fair
-is caring
-is a good citizen

-It is also important to see how you are different from others around you. You must accept cultural diversity and multicultural appreciation to be a successful leader in today's world.
-Listening is when you use your ears, eyes, and heart.
-It is important to understand how you come off to others may not be what you meant to say, or how the other person percieved it. It is a skill to master your communication skills.