GRAD 702 - Reflections on Module 2 Concepts

I was slightly surprised by my HBDI results. I figured I would be highest in quadrant C and my highest score was in quadrant B.

Because of my HBDI results, I will focus on attaining an equal brain dominance. I have a proven record of success within quadrants B and C, but lack experience or the work elements desired in quadrants A and D. I believe having an equal brain dominance will help in becoming an effective leader. Through practice and working with others on team projects and discussion, I should be able to focus and develop the areas I am weak in or need improvement.

My personal legacy I wish to leave to my family is to be remembered as loving and reliable. I want my family to know they have a friend in me and can come to me with whatever issue they may have. I want to help, guide, and provide an example for how to love and how to be truly there for one another. As for my country and the world, I want to continue to be an example both professionally and personally. I may not reach everyone in my country or in my world but I can have an affect on those within my reach. For those within my reach, they will see I am full of energy, integrity-based, compassionate, and driven. I desire to affect all those I encounter in a positive way. Those individuals will hopefully take this lesson and affect people within their own lives. Together we will be able to affect one another and eventually the world. It's kind of like the concept in the movie Pay it Forward. If you have not seen the movie, you should. It shows how one action can affect many. This one action can propel many more positive actions and eventually affect the world! That is a powerful concept!

The most creative thing I have been a part of was creating a new deployment process. It was creative because the regulations my base had been using were an entire decade old. They were outdated and new technologies had become available and a whole new process needed to be designed. I was picked by my leadership to be on the project and this experience changed my life! It was creative because we had to start from scratch. We relied heavily on past experience but it was clear that the regulation being used was not reliable and a new process was needed within a few months. Through weekly meetings, conferences, and several exercises, our team was able to devise a new plan and a new base-wide regulation. We practiced many facets of the plan and created several exercises to test its overall effectiveness. We went through several drafts and changes but in the end, the base was left with a plan that worked! This plan is still in place today. The fact that I was hand-picked for the process and part of such an important change in development of an Air Force base made me feel like I had achieved something great. I was really motivated and excited about both the opportunity and the outcome. We all felt like a success and that regardless of the outcome, we would be forever changed by this process. Luckily, our plan worked and is still in use; that made us feel AWESOME!! The new plan not only worked but lowered discrepancies and enhanced effectiveness of deployments for the 4th Fighter Wing. We were indeed, a success!

When I am faced with a conflict, I confront it head-on. I may need some time to figure out how I feel or how I may solve the issue but I will eventually confront the conflict. I prefer to do things this way because they have worked for me in the past. When I say "confront," I don't mean anything abrasive. In any conflict a certain amount of finesse is needed or the parties involved will feel vulnerable or like they are being attacked. In any conflict, I find it best to assess the situation, think about it, devise several solutions, and then discuss it with all parties involved. I do this in my personal and professional life. Over the years, this method has been successful and has been received well. I believe it is because it shows careful consideration and compassion for members involved.

The assignments for week 2 of GRAD 702 were valuable in the sense that I learned a lot about myself and what others have to offer. While devising my mission and vision statement, I was able to reflect on what was important to me and what goals I have for my life and the MBA program. I think it is always good to have goals and a sense of focus. This assignment helped me achieve that awareness. As for the four-lens perspective, I was able to think about my current team members and others I had worked with in the past. I thought about different ways in which they might solve problems. Reflection of how I might tackle a situation coinciding with the attributes of others was very beneficial. The "wholistic" brain viewpoint as discussed by Hermann (1996) will inevitable achieve overall success over individual efforts. This is why team projects and assignments are so beneficial. We don't just think about what we would do; we get insight into what others might do. That in itself is quite an achievement!

The readings for week 2 of GRAD 702 were personally relevant to me in that they address the legacy I want to leave behind for my family, country, and world. Through the voice of influence and trustworthiness, we can effectively change people and events (Covey, 2004). In a description of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Covey, 2004, pp. 152-153)," Covey demonstrates how to use that voice in a leadership position. The legacy I want leave is in direct correlation with his message. Through examples and words of wisdom, I was able to sharpen my tools of experience and knowledge. I think anyone in a management or leadership position should read the books by Stephen R. Covey. He is very insightful and I feel I am better for having read them!