Blog Post Image #5: Pyrrhic Victory

1. When a disagreement arises between people, leaders must grasp the big picture, and see beyond the immediate conflict. What enables a leader to do this?-- In most cases, the persons ego enables them to grasp the big picture and see beyond the immediate conflict. They tend to think that they are right and that no other persons opinion matters, just theirs. This gets in the way a lot of the time because an argument or a conflict can never get resolved because that person refuses to be the bigger person and accept defeat or not let the conflict ruin their relationship with that person.

2. Have you ever notices that people who display wisdom are generally more patient in their demeanor? When others offend us, why is it so hard to show patience in that moment?-- I think it's hard to show patience in the moment because we don't want to admit that we are wrong. Most of us, will do anything to show that we are right because if we don't that means we have accepted defeat. I also thing young people tend to show less patience because we are usually inexperienced in these situations where an adult has usually gone through an argument before that has ended a relationship so they know in order for it to not get out of control that they need to be calm and patient.

3. Reflect on the rule of in sailing that was used as an analogy to leadership. Which vessel best describes you? -- I think the vessel that best describes me is the vessel that would be "more maneuverable" who's willing to step aside to avoid a crash. I'm not just saying that because that is the right ship to be but, I am truly this kind of ship. I tend to avoid conflict at all cost because I believe it's not worth arguing over. I have a friend who is much like the other ship who won't move out of the way. We tend to get into small arguments over the littlest insignificant things and I used to try to fight her on things and it would alway conclude in both of us getting angry and aggravated. Every time we get into one of these arguments I look back on it and think how silly it was that we cared that much. The next time we got into one of these petty arguments I decided I would be the bigger person and just let her be right because I knew it was the right thing to do and the argument would be settled more quickly and in a better way. This way we both were less irritated with each other even at the cost of one of us taking one for the team.

4. Describe some ways to avoid a Pyrrhic Victory. -- Ways in which you could avoid a Pyrrhic Victory would be to avoid  conflicts all together. This doesn't mean that you cant state your opinion but that when stating your opinion be respectful and open minded toward the other persons point of view. Like it said in the article, think about the if the issue is worth debating, what is accomplished if you win, what kind of effect this argument can have on your relationship with that person, and why you want to win so badly.

Self Assessment:

1. Have you ever won a Pyrrhic Victory? What were the consequences?

To be honest, I don't think I have ever one a Pyrrhic Victory, I tend to avoid situations that I know are going to lead in a bad direction.

2. I can relate to Fighting to save face. I tend to fight for a cause if I am in an argument. It is usually because I am super confident that I know I'm right and that the other person is wrong. It is usually for a cause that I care about because if it wasn't I would probably just let it go.

Blog Post Image #4: The Calcutta Paradox

Why do some people tend to insist on taking places of honor or seeking words of honor for themselves? -- I think that people tend to insist on taking places of honor or seek words of honor for themselves because they are looking for some sort of praise or gratification. They aren't doing it for the well being of others but the well being for themselves. 

Why is it that leaders who humbly "under-speak" about themselves are so attractive? -- I think that leaders who "under-speak" about themselves are so attractive because you are expecting them to be super cocky or to talk talk down to you and when they don't it puts them a part from everyone else. As human beings I think we are attracted to unique and non-normative. 

What leaders do you admire for their humility? How would you respond to those who say that humility indicates weakness? -- I admire my dad for his humility. He is a really good dad and leader of my family and he know how everyone works and knows what need to done to improve. I don't think that humility indicated weakness. This is true because people tend to love celebrities or athletes that emulate humility. They tend to like them more because they aren't acting the way they are expected to. 

If you know of any leaders that operate with the "windows and mirrors" leadership style, describe the effect it has on their team? -- I know a leader who works in this way and the team was very successful because of it. Instead of stating complacent, he always was trying to make his team better. I think that is such a key component of success. He could have easily just remained where he was with his team or worse, gotten worse. 

1. From where do you receive your sense of identity? 

I think i receive my sense of identity through my family, friends, and sport. 

2. How often do you attempt to project an image that appears to have it all together?

I try to most to post that imagine most of the time because I feel like people will respond better to someone who looks like they know what they are doing. Even though most of the time I do know what I'm doing.  

3. Do you regularly rely on your own strength and wisdom instead of asking wise counsel from others?

I usually ask someone for help but there has been many times where I think I can figure it out on my own but I really need someones help.

4. Are you able to publicly acknowledge your weaknesses and your need for the team?

Yes, I don't think I am ashamed to get help from the team or know that I need help. I believe that is the only way to be successful. 

Blog Post #3: Chess and Checkers

1. Explain what this phrase means: "Great managers understand you can't get the best out of people by playing 'checkers' with them." -- To me, this phrase means that as a leader you can't treat every other person the same. In order to be successful you must capitalize on each individuals strengths. If you play checkers with everyone they aren't going to all respond and work the same way. Some people may get frustrated with the way you are dealing with them and others might work really well. If you learn everyones strengths and play them so that they can flourish in a working environment than the likelihood of becoming successful becomes much better.

2. Why is it we naturally expect others to be like us? Why are we more comfortable with people who are similar to us? -- I think we naturally expect others to be like us because we don't want to admit that people are more capable of certain things or are better than ourselves. I think we are more comfortable with people that are similar to us because it doesn't require changing ourselves or our habits. It's an easy way to stay complacent and inside our comfort zone. As people we tend to avoid uncomfortable situations and find it easier to remain the same.

3&4. What are the four qualities that leaders must identify in each team member in order to play "chess" instead of "checkers? Describe the benefits of learning how to capitalize on each person's strengths? -- Leaders must look for strengths and weaknesses in people. In other words, what they do well and what they don't do well. They must look for triggers. For example, what motivates a person to do something and what is going to make a person unmotivated and learning to avoid doing that. They also must look for key parts of their personality. Learning their personality can help you become a better leader and managing that person. Last, they must look for a persons learning style. If a person learns better visually than a visual explanation is going to help the team/company become more successful because that certain individual is manipulated to be successful.

Self Assessment:

1. Do I understand the personality of each member? Do I see how they work best together?

I would say that I am not very good at reading peoples personalities so that is definitely something that I can work on.

2. Do I know what motivates each one of them?

I could definitely work on figuring people out better, especially their strengths and weaknesses.

3. Do I recognize the primary strength the individual brings to the group or team?

I'm usually good at spotting out physical strengths but not mental strengths.

4. Do I realize how they best learn something new?

I don't think I have reached the point where I know how to do this now.

Blog Post #2: The Starving Baker

What is your biggest hinderance to taking time for personal growth? -- One of the biggest hinderances that get's in the way of my personal growth is listening to what other people say. Good or bad. I tend to let what other people thing affect me and it can have a negative impact on my personal growth. If someone tells me I'm too slow, I tend to get down on myself rather than using it as motivation to get faster.

Why do you think we fail to sharpen the axe? -- I think we fail to sharpen the axe because we are preoccupied with what other people are doing. We get distracted by what other people are doing rather than what ourselves are doing. If you take care of yourself and figure out what you need to do to be successful it will reflect on the people around you.
Why does it seem like a waste of time? -- It seems like a waste of time because you would think that if you started right away that you would accomplish things much faster. Though the truth to it all is that the sharper the axe, the more prepared you are as a leader, the more successful you will be later on. It's who ends on top that matters.

Why is it we often feel guilty when we stop to take care of ourselves? -- I think we feel guilty because we view taking care of ourselves as a selfish act. We think that the people around us can't be successful if the focus is on ourselves. Or at least that's how I view it.

Staying "sharp" can mean a lot of things. How do you do it? -- Reading, watching the news, engaging in academic discussion and debates, and exposing myself to different cultures are all ways in which I stay sharp.
How do you feed and refresh yourself? -- I think staying active and healthy on top of getting enough sleep are all ways in which you can refresh yourself. Habit and repetition I fell like help refresh and feed the brain as well.

1. Reading- 6
2. Solitude- 7
3. Simplicity- 5
4. Relationship- 8
5. Personal planning- 9
6. Physical exercise- 10

I think I am strong when it comes to planning. I feel like I prioritize everything in my head and when I need to do certain things. I also think I am strong in physical exercise because I would go crazy if I didn't get it. I am weak when it comes to reading. I have never liked it so it's definitely something I struggle adding into my lifestyle.

Time Management Blog

What do you know about habits? -- I know that habits are usually regular behavioral patterns. They are usually things that you do unconsciously. For example, a habit would be biting your nails. 

Do you have any habits? -- I would consider my daily routine when I wake up a habit. I also have a the habits of shaking my leg and cracking my knuckles, which is a negative habit. A positive habit that I have is always writing my homework in my planner. 

Are there areas that you do well at in Time Management? -- I'm pretty good at getting things done. What I do struggle with is procrastination. I usually do things at the last second possible which is not good. I would say that I'm very good at looking at the big picture. I know when things are due and am very diligent when it comes to marking those dates in my planner. 

How can this assignment help you as a student-athlete here at UW? -- This assignment can help me understand what I can do better to manage my time. For example, figuring out what each  week looks like so that I'm prepared. Also, how the 168 hours of the week should be spent. I need to question myself on "what can I do?" to get ahead for the week. 

What is the most beneficial idea about time management? -- The most beneficial idea about time management to me is definitely breaking down what needs to be done everyday. I think it is key for succeeding in academics. Without this you wouldn't know what's due or when it's due. 

Blog Post #1: The Iceberg

Blog Post #1: The Iceberg

Why is focusing on the inside so difficult today?

I believe that focusing on the inside is difficult in today’s society because as people we care so much about what is on the outside. For example, how we look and dress. I think we believe that we are measured by the physical attributes rather than the internal characteristics that we possess. Most of us find it difficult to show those internal characteristics because it is not the social norm or because we are blind due to the obsession with our outward appearance, making us loose sight of what is actually important.

Why do we put so much emphasis on the “outside” of our lives?

I think that we put the focus on the outside of our lives because it’s easier to hide that way. If one is abiding by the social norm, wearing what is normal and doing what people tend to believe is “how they should act”, than they are supposedly safe from any sort of outsider position. As people, we want others to see us as nothing but what society considers as perfect or acceptable.

One psychologist, however, said we often become “human doings” before we are “human beings.” What does this phrases mean to you?

In my eyes, this phrase means that we tend to act before thinking. It’s in human nature that we do something before we think about if it’s right or wrong. That’s where the “human doings” comes from in my perspective. The “human being” part of this is what is going to take us, as people, to the next level. This is where character is gained and obtained.  Once we start living with the mindset of being a “human being” our character will start to grow. One will no longer be just the average person but rather an extraordinary person.

Self Assessment:

1.    Self Discipline

            8

2.     Core Values

8

3.    Sense of Identity

7

4.    Emotional Security

7

Why did you give yourself the score that you did?

I gave myself a score of 8 on the first one because I think I’m pretty good at doing what’s right even when I don’t feel like it.  I gave myself a 8 on the second one because I also believe that a have very strong core values. I gave myself a 7 on the third one because I know who I am but I’m not as confident in myself as much. I gave myself a 7 on the last one because I think my emotional health is something that I could work on but it’s definitely not a problem.