Self- Reflection on Core Leadership Practice

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Memo

To:        Professor Katherine Ryan

From:        Jo Ting Chung

Date:        September 9, 2018

Re:        Self- reflection on Core Leadership Practice #   1 (Model the Way)  

Use the space below to respond to part 1 of the self-reflection assignment.  Your response should be 1-page single spaced.

“Clarify values” and “set an example” are two lessons I learned from this Core Practice. I think this practice is the priority among all core practices. I believe I should know myself deeply first because no one would admire a person who has no personal values and beliefs.

I have been working in the financial industry for approximately seven years and promoted to a team leader due to the proficient performance. Moreover, I have been given the vital task to work in Korea (the largest subsidiary among the group) since two years ago. However, I have never taken a break to deeply think my strengths and weaknesses as well as my core values. Therefore, I feel perplexed about the future and have no idea of my next milestone.  Also, I am wondering what I can do for the company and even the society.

Throughout this practice, I start to clarify my values and credos by listening to my heart. I learned several ways that I could practice, like writing a statement that illuminates my credos (Honesty, Inspiring and Accountable) and put them into practice as well as check whether my daily activities are consistent with my values. Those pieces of training make a big difference to me and help me to identify the priorities between my work and life. The most important thing is I was confused by money and title when I choose a job. However, I found those are not important anymore because I know what values I truly valued after honestly talking to myself. Thus, I do not feel nervous about my future anymore and even could ignore external noise then concentrate on my goals.

On the other hand, As Barry Posner said, “I make a difference, but I can't do it alone.” In other words, it means I need to have followers if I want to make something different. People will attract people who have the similar ideas and goals. I also like to work with the people who have the same goals as I do. When we work together, productivity increases and both of us enjoy the process at work, so I start to think about how my values align with my team’s values. Therefore, if the shared values of my team align with my values, we could imagine how it may affect and drive the changes in the company and the society.

My colleague told me that I set an example for her when she observed my attitude towards work and learned from my behaviors, so she was willing to work with me and followed my instructions although I have never clarified and shared my core values before. I only remembered I love to help others to deal with difficulties, so I worked very hard on those projects. Therefore, from this experience, I learned if I could refine my leadership by clarifying my core values and aligning actions with shared values, I would attract more people to work with me.

Memo

To:        Professor Katherine Ryan

From:        Jo Ting Chung

Date:        September 9, 2018  

Re:        Self- reflection on Core Leadership Practice #  3  (Challenge the Process)

Use the space below to respond to part 1 of the self-reflection assignment.  Your response should be 1-2 page single spaced.

“Search for opportunities” and “experiment and take risks” are two lessons I learned from this Core Practice. I believe if I could strengthen this practice, it would benefit not only my leadership but also my career.

To start with, when people look back on their personal best leadership experience, they always recall the time of challenge. So do I. As I remember, I recommend myself to my boss, so I took responsibility for the overseas market and engaged in many cases concerning merger and acquisition when my supervisor resigned. Therefore, I made significant progress to my work because I was given chances to practice and challenge. This is to say; if I want to refine myself continually, I have to look for opportunities actively.

Throughout this practice, I learned there are two essentials that I could to achieve "Search for Opportunities." For one thing, I have to seize the initiative. For instance, I could volunteer to be involved in a strategic plan before a new product/business came up. For another thing, I need to look outward. For example, if there is an innovative way in the outside organization, I could observe the new products and service and see if the idea could adapt to my company.  

Besides, as Thomas Jefferson said “If you want something you've never had. You must be willing to do something you've never done.” Likewise, if I want to become outstanding, I need to take risks with bold ideas. As I recall, when we practiced the “Barrel Move Lab” in Bloomington, one team used the tires not for rolling (as the way we use for the car) but for building a unique equipment, which looks like a boat, to transport the Barrel. Their bold idea made them was the only team completed the game. Therefore, I learned that I need to try boldly at work if I want to achieve the extraordinary.